What You Need to Know About "Generic" Lunesta
Lunesta® (
eszopiclone) is a prescription medication that has been licensed as a sleep medication to treat
insomnia. The drug is manufactured by Sepracor, Inc. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic versions from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Lunesta," you may find a number of companies selling it.
The fact is that these medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. Generic Lunesta may be available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine Lunesta or not. You should not buy any so-called generic versions until an approved version is available.
When Will Generic Lunesta Be Available?
The first patent for this medicine currently expires in 2012. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Lunesta could become available. However, certain circumstances could extend the exclusivity period beyond 2012, such as other patents for specific
Lunesta uses or lawsuits. Once the drug goes off-patent, several companies will likely manufacture a generic version.
Is Eszopiclone a Generic Lunesta?
No -- eszopiclone is the active ingredient in Lunesta, but is not a generic version of it. Oftentimes, the active ingredient of a drug is referred to as the "generic name." The generic name is different from a generic version of a medicine, however.
In order 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 must make the product.
