Multiple manufactures are shipping generic Exelon, called rivastigmine, including:
Watson
Sun Pharma
Sandoz
Generic Exelon (in the form of rivastigmine tartrate capsules) started shipping throughout the U.S. this week.
Rivastigmine tartrate is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type and for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia associated with Parkinson's disease. According to the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF), approximately 40% of the 1.5 million Americans with Parkinson's disease are estimated to also develop dementia.1
The savings from this FDA-approved medication should be significant. There is a lot of competition now, as multiple manufacturers began shipping rivastigmine this week. The manufacturers are:
Watson Pharmaceuticals
Sun Pharma and Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories
Sandoz (a division of Novartis, makers of brand-name Exelon)
A representative from Watson Pharmaceuticals interviewed on Friday said the new, lower-cost form of Exelon should start making its way to local pharmacy shelves within a week.
"We started shipping to our distributors on July 1," said the Watson representative. Included in their distribution channel are Walgreen and Walmart pharmacies.
Exelon™, or rivastigmine, is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor like Aricept and Razadyne/Reminyl. They all work pretty much the same way, and often doctors alternate between them to see which one has the best effect and fewest side-effects. With generic rivastigmine, saving money may be a new reason to switch over from these other medications.
Like Exelon™ capsules, generic rivastigmine will be sold in four dosages:
1.5 milligram
3 milligram
4.5 milligram
6 milligram
At this time, there is no word regarding a generic Exelon Patch or a generic form of Exelon Liquid.
Novartis, the Swiss maker of brand-name Exelon, agreed to let other companies launch a generic version of Exelon as part of a patent lawsuit settlement on December 6, 2007.
"Sandoz is pleased to support our broad US growth strategy with the launch of rivastigmine tartrate capsules as an authorized generic of Exelon capsules," said Don DeGolyer, President of Sandoz Inc. "The launch is an excellent example of how Sandoz and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation work together to make high-quality Novartis medicines more affordable in conjunction with the entry of other generic versions of innovative products."
EXELON ALERT: Rivastigmine, known in the U.S. by the brand name Exelon, is often delivered via skin patches. Lower doses improve cognition with fewer serious side effects than higher doses. Read what researchers have found in an updated review.
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
The Exelon Patch is the newest treatment for dementias such as Alzheimer's. (Its generic name is Rivastigmine.) In this video, three experienced people offer valuable feedback - a caregiver, a neurologist, and the CEO of The Alzheimer's Society.
Courtesy of Intensive Content for Your Health
[1] American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, Vol. 21, No. 5, 366-369 (2006).
Exelon(R) is a registered trademark of Novartis AG Corporation.
About Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in the development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of generic pharmaceuticals and specialized branded pharmaceutical products focused on Urology and Women's Health. Watson has operations in many of the world's established and growing international markets.
For press release and other company information, visit Watson Pharmaceuticals' Web site at http://www.watson.com.
About Sun Pharma
Established in 1983, listed since 1994 and headquartered in India, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Reuters: SUN.BO, Bloomberg: SUNP IN, NSE: SUNPHARMA, BSE: 524715) is an international, integrated, specialty pharmaceutical company. More information about the company can be found at www.sunpharma.com.
About Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories
Detroit-based Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd., (NYSE Amex: CPD) develops, manufactures, markets and distributes generic pharmaceuticals to the nation's largest wholesalers, distributors, drugstore chains and managed care providers.
About Sandoz
Sandoz is a Novartis company with a reputation for quality going back to its roots in the 19th century (foundation of Sandoz by Edouard Sandoz in 1886). Sandoz offers patients approximately 1.000 molecules worldwide. Sandoz has eight major global development centers, employs more than 23,000 associates and has a worldwide network of production sites and technology centers of excellence. Sandoz global headquarters are based in Holzkirchen, Germany.
