Ambien CR Generic: An Overview
Ambien CR™ (
zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets) is a medication that is used to treat
insomnia in adults. It is manufactured by sanofi-aventis and is currently protected by a patent that prevents any
generic Ambien CR from being manufactured.
However, if you search the Internet for "generic
Ambien CR," you will find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. There may be generic Ambien CR available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine Ambien CR or not. You should not buy any generic Ambien CR until there is an approved generic available.
When Will There Be a Generic Ambien CR?
The patent for Ambien CR is not expected to expire until 2020. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Ambien CR could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of Ambien CR beyond 2020. This could include such things as other patents for specific
Ambien CR uses or lawsuits. Once Ambien CR goes off patent, there may be several companies that manufacture a generic Ambien CR drug.
Is Zolpidem Tartrate a Generic Ambien CR?
The answer is no.
Zolpidem tartrate is the active ingredient in Ambien CR but is not a generic version of Ambien CR. Oftentimes, the active ingredient of any drug is referred to as the "generic name." However, the generic name is different than a generic version of a medicine. For there to be a generic version of a medicine, the original medicine must have gone off patent, and then another company (besides the original manufacturer) would make the product.
