Generic Zaleplon: An Overview
Zaleplon is manufactured by King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic zaleplon from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic zaleplon," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is, these medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. There may be generic zaleplon available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine zaleplon or not. You should not buy any generic zaleplon until there is an approved version available.
When Will Generic Zaleplon Be Available?
The first patent for zaleplon currently expires in 2008. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of zaleplon could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of zaleplon beyond 2008. This could include such things as other patents for specific zaleplon uses or lawsuits. Once zaleplon goes off patent, there may be several companies that will manufacture a generic zaleplon drug.
Is Zaleplon a Generic Zaleplon?
The answer is no. Zaleplon is the active ingredient in 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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