Generic Maxalt: An Overview
Maxalt® (
rizatriptan benzoate) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat
migraine headaches. Maxalt is part of a class of
migraine medications called 5-HT agonists (or more commonly known as "
triptans"). A form a Maxalt that will dissolve in the mouth (Maxalt MLT
®) is also available and is especially helpful for people who have difficulty swallowing tablets during a
migraine due to nausea or vomiting.
Maxalt and Maxalt MLT are manufactured by Merck & Co. They are currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Maxalt or Maxalt MLT from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Maxalt," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. There may be generic Maxalt available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing whether or not you are getting genuine Maxalt. Therefore, you should not buy any generic Maxalt or Maxalt MLT until approved generics for these drugs are available.
When Will the Maxalt Patent Expire?
The first patents for Maxalt and Maxalt MLT currently expire in 2012. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Maxalt or Maxalt MLT could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of Maxalt and Maxalt MLT beyond 2012. These circumstances could include things such as lawsuits or other patents for specific uses of these medicines. Once these drugs go off patent, there may be several companies that manufacture a generic Maxalt drug or a generic Maxalt MLT drug.
