Generic Tegretol

Although a patent currently prevents any generic Tegretol XR from being manufactured until February 2011, the patents for most Tegretol tablets (including chewable and extended-release tablets) and Tegretol suspension have expired, and generic versions are now available. The FDA has assigned an "AB" rating to generic Tegretol, which means that it is considered equivalent to the brand-name version.

Tegretol Generic: An Overview

Tegretol® (carbamazepine) is a prescription medication that is used to treat epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia.
 
Brand-name Tegretol is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. However, this medication is also available in generic form.
 

When Will Generic Tegretol XR Be Available?

The patent for Tegretol XR currently expires in February 2011. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Tegretol XR could become available. However, circumstances could extend this exclusivity period beyond 2011. This could include things such as lawsuits or other patents for specific Tegretol XR uses. Once the patent expires, several companies will likely begin manufacturing generic Tegretol XR.
 

Strengths of Generic Tegretol

Generic Tegretol is available in the following strengths and forms:
 
  • Carbamazepine 100 mg chewable tablets
  • Carbamazepine 200 mg tablets
  • Carbamazepine suspension 100 mg per 5 mL (100 mg per teaspoonful)
  • Carbamazepine extended-release 200 mg tablets
  • Carbamazepine extended-release 400 mg tablets.
     
At this time, there are no generic versions of Tegretol XR 100 mg tablets available.
  
One generic manufacturer has chosen to give its generic version of Tegretol 200 mg tablets a new name: Epitol 200 mg tablets. These tablets are equivalent to Tegretol 200 mg tablets.
 
(Generic Tegretol Continued: Page 2)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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