At this time, no generic Mirapex (pramipexole) products are available in the United States. The first patent for the medication is set to expire in March 2011. However, Barr Pharmaceuticals has challenged the Mirapex patents in court, and the FDA has approved Barr's generic versions of Mirapex. Until these legal issues are settled, Barr cannot sell its generic Mirapex products.
Mirapex Generic: An Overview
Mirapex is made by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Currently, no generic Mirapex is available in the United States. However, if you search the Internet, you may find a number of companies selling it. These medicines could be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. Generic Mirapex may be available from another country, but there is no way of knowing if you are getting genuine Mirapex or not. You should not buy any generic Mirapex until there is an approved version available.
When Will Generic Mirapex Be Available?
The first patent for Mirapex is set to expire in March 2011. In most situations, this would mean that 2011 would be the earliest that a generic version of the drug could become available. However, Barr Pharmaceuticals (a major generic drug manufacturer) is challenging the Mirapex patents in court. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Barr's generic versions of Mirapex, but the legal issues must be settled before Barr can sell its products.
Is Pramipexole the Same as Generic Mirapex?
No -- pramipexole is the active ingredient in Mirapex, but it is not a generic version of it. What can be confusing is that, oftentimes, the active ingredient of a 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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