Generic Pulmicort

Generic Pulmicort: An Overview

Pulmicort^® (budesonide inhalation) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to prevent asthma attacks. It belongs to a group of medications known as inhaled corticosteroids.

 

Pulmicort is manufactured by AstraZeneca. It comes in two different forms: Pulmicort Respules and Pulmicort Flexhalers. Generic Pulmicort Respules were temporarily available for a short while, but are no longer being made.

 

When Will a Generic Version Be Available?

On November 18, 2008, Teva Pharmaceuticals began selling a generic version of Pulmicort Respules. However, they were immediately sued by AstraZeneca for patent infringement. AstraZeneca and Teva have since settled their disagreement. In this agreement, Teva agreed to stop selling generic Pulmicort until December 2009. It is fully expected that generic Pulmicort will once again become available after this date.

 

At this time, it is not known when a generic version of Pulmicort Flexhalers will become available.

 

Is Budesonide a Generic Pulmicort?

No -- budesonide is the active ingredient in Pulmicort (as well as various other medications), but is not a generic version of it. 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.