Eyes Channel
Topics
Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Generic Restasis
At this time, patents prevent a generic Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) product from being manufactured. The earliest predictable date that a generic version of the drug could become available is May 2014, when the first patent expires. However, lawsuits or other patents for specific uses of Restasis may delay the manufacturing of a generic version of the drug.
Interested in a Discount on Restasis?
Enter your email address to see if eMedTV's free DiscountRx service has a program that could help you save on your prescription(s).
Thank you!
Thank you for your interest in DiscountRx from eMedTV. An email has been sent to the address you provided. Please follow the link within that email to see what offers may be available.
Restasis® (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of chronic dry eyes. This medicine increases the amount of tears in your eyes when tear production is reduced due to inflammation.
Restasis is made by Allergan, Inc. It is protected by patents that prevent a generic version from being manufactured in the United States.
The first patent for Restasis expires in May 2014. This is the earliest predictable date that a generic version could become available.
However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend or shorten this exclusivity period. This could include such things as lawsuits or other patents for specific Restasis uses. Once the drug goes off-patent, there may be several companies that manufacture a generic Restasis drug.
No -- cyclosporine is the active ingredient in Restasis, but it is not a generic version of it. What can be confusing is that the active ingredient of a drug is often 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.
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD