An Overview of Generic Avinza
Avinza® (
morphine sulfate ER) is a long-acting prescription pain medication. It contains small, extended-release beads that release
morphine slowly and evenly throughout the day. It is taken just once a day.
Avinza is made by King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Avinza from being manufactured in the United States.
When Will Generic Avinza Be Available?
The first patent for Avinza currently expires in November 2017. This is the earliest predictable date that a generic version of Avinza could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could extend or shorten the exclusivity period of Avinza. This could include such things as lawsuits or other patents for specific
Avinza uses. Once Avinza goes off patent, there may be several companies that will manufacture a generic Avinza drug.
Is Morphine Sulfate ER a Version of Generic Avinza?
The answer is no.
Morphine sulfate ER ("extended release") is the active ingredient in Avinza (as well as several other medications not equivalent to Avinza) but is not a generic version of the medication. 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 must make the product.
