Generic Sumatriptan

If you look for generic sumatriptan on the Internet, you may find a number of companies claiming to sell it. However, it is important to know that these medicines may be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. Do not buy any generic sumatriptan drug until there is an approved generic available.

 

Generic Sumatriptan: An Overview

Sumatriptan succinate (Imitrex®) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat migraine headaches.
 
Sumatriptan is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline under the brand name Imitrex. It is currently under the protection of patents that prevent any generic sumatriptan from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic sumatriptan," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. There may be generic sumatriptan available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine sumatriptan or not. You should not buy any generic sumatriptan until there is an approved generic available.
 

When Will the Sumatriptan Patent Expire?

The first patent for sumatriptan expired on June 28, 2007. However, this date has passed, and there are no generic versions of sumatriptan yet. It is difficult to predict when exactly generic sumatriptan will be available. Most likely, generic sumatriptan injection will be available sometime in 2008, and generic sumatriptan tablets will be available in 2009. There are no good estimates for when generic sumatriptan nasal spray may be available.
 
It is difficult to say with certainty when generic sumatriptan will be available, as it depends on several factors. There have already been several lawsuits and settlements over sumatriptan between GlaxoSmithKline and several generic manufacturers. These settlements, as well as future lawsuits, will determine when exactly generic sumatriptan will be available.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;