Generic Symbyax

The earliest date that a generic Symbyax drug could become available is March 2017, when the patent for the drug expires. Patents for specific uses of Symbyax or lawsuits could extend this, however. Until there is an approved generic version available, you should not buy any products that claim to be a "generic Symbyax." These drugs are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous.

 

An Overview of Generic Symbyax

Symbyax® (olanzapine and fluoxetine) is a prescription medication that is used to treat depression associated with bipolar disorder. It is a combination of two different medications: olanzapine (Zyprexa®) and fluoxetine (Prozac®).
 
Symbyax is manufactured by Eli Lilly and is currently protected by a patent that prevents any generic Symbyax from being manufactured. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Symbyax," 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 Symbyax until there is an approved version available.
 

When Will There Be a Generic Symbyax?

The patent for Symbyax currently expires in March 2017. This is the earliest date that a generic version of Symbyax could become available. However, other circumstances could come up to extend the exclusivity period beyond 2017. These circumstances could include things such as lawsuits or other patents for specific Symbyax uses. Once the patent expires, several companies will likely begin manufacturing generic Symbyax.
 

Are Olanzapine and Fluoxetine Forms of Generic Symbyax?

No -- olanzapine and fluoxetine are the active ingredients in Symbyax, not generic versions of it. Oftentimes, the active ingredient of a 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;