Generic Detrol: An Overview
Detrol is made by Pfizer, Inc. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Detrol from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Detrol," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines may be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. You should not buy any generic Detrol until there is an approved version available.
When Will Generic Detrol Be Available?
The first patent for Detrol currently expires in September 2012. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of the drug could become available. However, other circumstances could come up to extend the exclusivity period beyond 2012. This could include such things as other patents for specific
Detrol uses or lawsuits. Once the patent expires, several companies will likely begin manufacturing generic Detrol.
Is Tolterodine the Same as Generic Detrol?
No -- tolterodine is the active ingredient in Detrol 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.
