Generic Xalatan

Brand-name Xalatan (latanoprost ophthalmic solution) is available, but the medication does not come as a generic. Xalatan is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any companies from manufacturing a generic version of the eye drop. The earliest possible date that any generic Xalatan products could be available is September 2009, when this patent expires.

 

Generic Xalatan: An Overview

Xalatan® (latanoprost ophthalmic solution) is a prescription eye drop used to treat glaucoma and high eye pressure (known medically as ocular hypertension). It belongs to a group of medications known as prostaglandins.
 
Xalatan is manufactured by Pfizer, Inc. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Xalatan from being manufactured in the United States.
 

When Will a Generic for Xalatan Be Available?

The first patent for Xalatan is currently set to expire in September 2009. This is the earliest predictable date that a generic version of Xalatan could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend or shorten the exclusivity period of Xalatan. This could include such things as lawsuits or other patents for new Xalatan uses. Once Xalatan goes off patent, there may be several companies that will manufacture a generic Xalatan drug.
 

Is Latanoprost a Generic Xalatan?

The answer is no. Latanoprost is the active ingredient in Xalatan but is not a generic version of the medication. What can be confusing is that, 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 another company besides the original manufacturer must make the product.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;