Generic Rapamune

Can I Buy Generic Rapamune?

Rapamune^® (sirolimus) is a prescription medication used after a kidney transplant to prevent the body from rejecting the new kidney. It belongs to a group of medicines called immunosuppressants.

 

Rapamune is made by Pfizer, Inc., and distributed by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Pfizer, Inc. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Rapamune from being manufactured in the United States.

 

However, if you search the Internet for "generic Rapamune," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines may be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. Generic Rapamune may be available from other countries; however, there is no way of knowing if you are getting genuine Rapamune or not. You should not buy any generic Rapamune until there is an approved version available.

 

When Will a Generic Version Be Available?

The first patent for Rapamune currently expires in October 2012. This is the earliest predictable date that a generic version could become available. However, other circumstances could come up to extend or shorten the exclusivity period, including such things as lawsuits or other patents for specific Rapamune uses. Once the patent expires, there may be several companies that manufacture a generic Rapamune drug.

 

Is Sirolimus a Generic Rapamune?

No -- sirolimus is the active ingredient in Rapamune, but is not a generic version of it. What can be confusing is that the active ingredient of any drug is often referred to as the "generic name."

 

The generic name is different from a generic version of a medicine. In order for there to be a generic version, the original medicine must have gone off-patent and another company besides the original manufacturer must make the product.