Generic Sular

There are currently no generic Sular products available on the market. When the first patent for the medication expires in June 2008, however, a number of drug companies may begin manufacturing a generic version of the medicine. Until then, you should not purchase any so-called "generic Sular" because these drugs may be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous.

 

Generic Sular: An Overview

Sular® (nisoldipine) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). It is part of a group of medications called calcium channel blockers.
 
Sular is made by Sciele Pharma. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Sular from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Sular," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is, these medicines may be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. There may be generic Sular available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine Sular. You should not buy any generic Sular until there is an approved generic available.
 

When Generic Sular Be Available?

The first patent for Sular currently expires in June 2008. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Sular could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of Sular beyond June 2008. This could include such things as other patents for specific Sular uses or lawsuits. Once Sular goes off patent, there may be several companies that will begin manufacturing a generic Sular drug.
 

Is Nisoldipine a Generic Sular?

The answer is no.
 Nisoldipine is the active ingredient in Sular 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 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 would make the product.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;