Generic Seroquel

A patent currently prohibits any generic Seroquel from being manufactured until 2011 at the earliest. Lawsuits or patents for specific uses for the drug could extend this date. While some companies may claim to sell a generic Seroquel, these drugs are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. You should not buy any so-called generic versions until an approved one is available.

 

An Overview of Generic Seroquel

Seroquel® (quetiapine fumarate) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat several conditions. These Seroquel uses can include the treatment of:
 
Seroquel is manufactured by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and is currently protected by a patent that prevents any generic Seroquel from being manufactured. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Seroquel," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. You should not buy any generic Seroquel until there is an approved version available.
 

When Will There Be a Generic Seroquel?

The patent for Seroquel currently expires in September 2011. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Seroquel could become available. However, other circumstances could come up to extend the exclusivity period beyond this time. These circumstances could include things such as lawsuits or other patents for specific uses for the drug. Once the patent expires, several companies will likely begin manufacturing generic Seroquel.
 

Is Quetiapine a Generic Seroquel?

No, it isn't. Quetiapine is the active ingredient in Seroquel, not a generic version of it. Oftentimes, the active ingredient of any drug is referred to as its "generic name." But the generic name of a medicine is different from a generic version of it. 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;