In February 2008, the manufacturer of Zyflo announced that it has discontinued making this product. The manufacturer stated that since the longer-acting version, Zyflo CR, became available in 2007, use of immediate-release Zyflo declined significantly. Zyflo CR will still be available.
An Overview of Zyflo Generic
Zyflo
® (
zileuton) is a prescription medication used to prevent
asthma attacks. It is part of a group of medications called leukotrine synthesis inhibitors.
Zyflo is manufactured by Critical Therapeutics, Inc. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Zyflo from being manufactured in the United States.
When Will Generic Zyflo Be Available?
The first patent for Zyflo currently expires in December 2010. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Zyflo could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of Zyflo beyond 2010. These circumstances could include things such as other patents for specific
Zyflo uses or lawsuits. Once the medication goes off patent, there may be several companies that will begin manufacturing a generic Zyflo product.
Is Zileuton a Generic Zyflo?
The answer is no. Zileuton is the active ingredient in Zyflo but is not a generic version of the drug. What can be confusing is that, oftentimes, the active ingredient of any drug is referred to as its "generic name." The generic name of a medicine is different from a generic version of it. 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 have made the product.
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