Generic Eszopiclone

The earliest date that a generic eszopiclone medicine could become available is 2012, when the current patent for eszopiclone expires. Until then, be aware of any so-called generic eszopiclone products -- these medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous.

 

Generic Eszopiclone: An Overview

Eszopiclone (Lunesta®) is a prescription sleep medication that has been licensed to treat insomnia.
 
Eszopiclone is manufactured by Sepracor Inc. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic eszopiclone from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic eszopiclone," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is, these medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. There may be generic eszopiclone available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine eszopiclone or not. You should not buy any generic eszopiclone until there is an approved version available.
 

When Will Generic Eszopiclone Be Available?

The first patent for eszopiclone currently expires in 2012. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of eszopiclone could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of eszopiclone beyond 2012. This could include such things as other patents for specific eszopiclone uses or lawsuits. Once eszopiclone goes off patent, there may be several companies that manufacture a generic eszopiclone drug.
 

Is Eszopiclone a Generic Eszopiclone?

The answer is no. Eszopiclone is the active ingredient of the sleep medicine but is not a generic version of the drug. Oftentimes, the active ingredient of any drug is 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 of a medicine, the original medicine must have gone off patent, and then another company besides the original manufacturer would make the product.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;