Generic Desloratadine

No generic versions of desloratadine are available at this time. The first patent for Clarinex will expire in 2009, after which several companies should start manufacturing a generic form. However, a number of companies currently sell fake, substandard, and possibly dangerous drugs as generic desloratadine. Until an approved generic version is available, do not buy any alleged generic forms of this drug.

 

Generic Desloratadine: An Overview

Desloratadine (Clarinex®) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat several conditions. These desloratadine uses include:
 
  • Relief of seasonal allergy symptoms (hay fever)
  • Relief of indoor allergy symptoms
  • Treatment of chronic (long-term) hives and itching.
     
Desloratadine is manufactured by Schering and is currently protected by a patent that prevents any generic desloratadine from being manufactured. Despite this, search the Internet for "generic desloratadine" and you will 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 desloratadine until there is an approved generic form available.
 

When Will There Be a Generic Desloratadine?

The first patent for Clarinex currently expires in March 2009. This is the earliest predictable date that a generic version of Clarinex could become available. However, circumstances could extend this exclusivity period beyond 2009. This could include such things as other patents for specific Clarinex uses or lawsuits.
 
It should be noted that a lawsuit concerning generic Clarinex has already occurred and has been settled. In the settlement agreement, GeoPharma, Inc. will be allowed to sell a generic Clarinex "early," no later than July 2012. This settlement suggests that there is good reason to believe that other Clarinex patents that expire after the first one will provide significant patent protection for the medication.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;