Do they now have a generic, I don't have insurance and dont have alot of money'?
Generic Cymbalta - Is it available?
Question posted by pestes321 on 10 March 2010
Last updated on 7 July 2013
14 Answers
Official Answer by Drugs.com
18 July 2010
Cymbalta (duloxetine) is used to treat major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder. It is also used to treat a chronic pain disorder called fibromyalgia, and to treat pain caused by nerve damage in people with diabetes (diabetic neuropathy).
A generic version of Cymbalta has been approved by the FDA. However, this does not mean that the product will necessarily be commercially available - possibly because of drug patents and/or drug exclusivity.
The following products are equivalent to Cymbalta and have been approved by the FDA:
duloxetine hydrochloride capsule, delayed rel pellets;oral
Manufacturer: ACTAVIS ELIZABETH
Approval date: December 17, 2013
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: AJANTA PHARMA LTD
Approval date: January 6, 2017
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: ALEMBIC PHARMS LTD
Approval date: June 9, 2014
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: ALKEM LABS LTD
Approval date: August 26, 2015
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: ANCHEN PHARMS
Approval date: October 28, 2015
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: APOTEX INC
Approval date: June 11, 2014
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: AUROBINDO PHARMA LTD
Approval date: December 11, 2013
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: BRECKENRIDGE PHARM
Approval date: June 11, 2014
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: CSPC OUYI PHARM CO
Approval date: October 16, 2018
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: HETERO LABS LTD III
Approval date: August 3, 2016
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: INVENTIA HLTHCARE
Approval date: October 28, 2015
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: LUPIN LTD
Approval date: December 11, 2013
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: MACLEODS PHARMS LTD
Approval date: March 23, 2017
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: MARKSANS PHARMA
Approval date: December 11, 2013
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: PRINSTON INC
Approval date: May 18, 2017
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: SUN PHARMA GLOBAL
Approval date: December 11, 2013
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: TEVA PHARMS USA
Approval date: December 11, 2013
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: TORRENT PHARMS LTD
Approval date: December 11, 2013
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: ZYDUS HLTHCARE
Approval date: January 8, 2014
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
Manufacturer: ZYDUS PHARMS USA INC
Approval date: January 8, 2014
Strength(s): EQ 20MG BASE [AB], EQ 30MG BASE [AB], EQ 60MG BASE [AB]
roberthall
11 July 2012
The date 2013 is actually deceptive; the Lilly folks will have a number of ways to maintain the exclusive patent, and may or may not have to relinquish exclusivity. Further, once the patent ends, the manufacturer who starts producing a generic may not reduce the price significantly for as much as a year, and the insurance companies won't start picking it up immediately after that period. So don't bet your life on being able to get a generic next year.
javabean505
3 Nov 2012
roberthall's comments are very important to keep in mind. My own experience with drugs coming off-patent bears out exactly what he is saying above. Count on Lilly to try to protect their monopoly on Cymbalta for as long as possible, as this is the best depression/anxiety/pain drug on the market for many people -- certainly the best SSRI/SNRI since Effexor, and its concomitant effect on body pain makes it a real blockbuster. My guess is that they will tweak the angle made by a bend in one protein molecule and call it a new brand drug, then claim their new patent prohibits manufacture of duloxetine (generic Cymbalta). This will of course wind up in court for a year or so, at least, and when they finally settle the case (legal expenses: cost of doing business), it will take the first generic manufacturer another year to come up to speed on manufacturing duloxetine and clearing the necessary paperwork with the FDA.
They will cover the expense of this ramp-up period by charging almost as much for generic duloxetine as Lilly will be charging at that time for Cymbalta (which itself will be less than their "new, improved" version, of course). And why not? There would be still, at that juncture, no competition on the generic front. The first company out with a generic will charge what the market will bear.
So until there IS competition -- i.e., two or more generic manufacturers competing to manufacture and market duloxetine -- don't expect to see the price come down to realistic generic levels, with insurance plans starting to cover it in their low-copay generic drug tiers. My guess for when this might happen -- 2015. I could be wrong, and hope I am, but don't hold your breath.
One final note: You may find duloxetine on the Internet sourced from large seemingly legitimate (based on all available information) pharma companies in India, Turkey, and other technologically-developed countries. My personal experience with legit Indian drugs has been pretty positive (mostly so-called "lifestyle" drugs), but with insufficient cases on which to draw any kind of significant conclusion. In the case of Indian duloxetine, the cost is still pretty high for a retired person, comparable with typical Tier 3 coverage through a typical Medicare Advantage Plan — $40-$50 a month. (The US retail price, of course, is out of the question if you're retired and in the donut-hole.) If $40-$50 a month for 30 days of 60 mg/day sounds like a deal to you, you have the option of trying that — but I wouldn't. Too new, not enough track record, and technically, it's still illegal in the US to "import" prescription drugs. The safe choice is to wait it out for an FDA-approved US generic.
gzgwoz
1 April 2013
I recently read that generic cymbalta will be available on the market in June, 2013. Pristiq just became available in generic last month. ggAPRN
dchambers
26 March 2013
Cymbalta is under its patent until the very earliest December 2013. Even then they could extend it based on its various uses.
I take Cymbalta 60mg and 30mg and could really use a decrease in prices. But have had very little luck with generics of any drug so far. I am wary of generics of my anxiety meds and fibro meds. They never seem to work like the original. Not only that but the side effects of coming off of this drug are nasty sometimes. I would say that more than likely no generic will be available for this until sometime next year if then. They have found so many things that it helps that it may never go generic.
Sofie712
4 Nov 2012
Yes. Ask your doctor about Venaxine.
Figlets
16 Dec 2012
Venaxine is the generic form of "Effexor". Cymbalta does *not* yet have a Generic form available to patients. Not trying to sound snarky, just let's all be careful when posting. :)
javabean505
26 March 2013
I think Sofie712 meant to write "venlafaxine" (rather than "venaxine"). Venlafaxine is the generic for EFFEXOR (Wyeth/Pfizer), not for CYMBALTA.
CYMBALTA, which my wife has taken with tremendous success for several years now for depression and chronic pain, was a third-tier drug (non-preferred brand name, $70+ copay) on my insurance plan, but was reduced to second-tier status (preferred brand name, $36 copay) in 2012. So it is becoming more affordable to patients with decent insurance coverage. Without insurance help, it is still prohibitively expensive for most people. :-(
I tried CYMBALTA myself for several months, but found it no more effective for my depression/anxiety than generic venlafaxine, which works very well for me and is much cheaper. Available either in immediate-release or extended-release form, venlafaxine has been a first-tier generic for years on most insurance plans, with typical copays of $10-$15 or less. (I pay only $4 a month for it on my Medicare Advantage HMO plan, which itself costs me nothing beyond the usual Part B medical premium that everybody in Medicare pays.) This is a very highly rated state-wide (New Mexico only) Medicare Advantage plan. The down-side is that there is no guarantee that the plan will stay more or less the same next year or the year after, or that it will even be offered. But right now, in 2013, it's great. :-)
clcoco
3 Sep 2012
I just went to refill my prescription on-line, (I use CVS) and was advised during the electronic process, that there was now a generic available, and asked if I wanted the pharmacy to contact my doctor to authorize the switch. I said no, since tomorrow is my only available day to actually get to the pharmacy, and she wouldn't be available until Tuesday anyway. Fortunately, I do have insurance, so while I still pay $38.00 for a 30 day supply, I think it would be even less at a generic price. So apparently, there is either already one available, (though we're 4 months shy of the patent expiration date) or they planned to sub it with the Duloxetine. In reality, that's all that's required. Twisting a molecule in the active/main ingredient. So, I'll find out from the pharmacist when I pick it up, since the option was available, they were gonna fill it with something.
Jakeyboy
21 Oct 2012
Did you actually get a generic form of cymbalta?
BellaDotka
14 June 2012
..actually it is..:)... I'm so happy that I just found it :) My Docs didn't know about it ... my insurance don't cover Cymbalta at all...
atlantic315
26 May 2012
Right now Cymbalta is under a patent with the drug company that manufactures it. That patent will expire in June of 2013. Then the drug will most likely be picked up by another pharmaceutical company that will make it in generic. Until then, it will only be name brand because it is under patent with current drug company. I know it sucks! It is really expensive! I am currently on it but my insurance company is giving me a hard time about covering it due to its enormous cost. It's a really good med. and should be available in generic. Have you talked with your Dr. or tried writing the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Cymbalta? Good luck!
Lilulu039
8 July 2013
atlantic315
You know your Doctor can request Cymbalta from your insurance company to cover it and the insurance company will look it over and either approve it or deny it. My Doctor just did this for me and it was approved, so now I get it for my 6.80 copay. You might want to try this before they stop allowing it so that there is no disruption in your care. Hope this helps you.
TheInsuranceMan
9 May 2012
There is no generic available yet. But, Lilly Cares will help anyone who does not have prescription coverage for their meds. The easiest way is to goto www.needymeds.com, on the left side bar click on brand name drug, click the letter of your med and follow the simple instructions.
misty233
25 Feb 2013
Just an FYI to anyone going through Eli Lilly's patient assistance program, be sure you understand that they will not send your RX to you. Instead, they will send it to your Doctor's office who then has to send it out to a pharmacy to be filled (which usually is a minimal charge for the pharmacy to fill it). If your Doctor's office will not send it to a pharmacy to be filled, you will not be able to get your medication. According to my Doctor, there are laws that prevent them from giving the RX directly to me which is why it must be sent out to a pharmacy. Eli Lilly will not, under any circumstances, send it to you or to the pharmacy directly (per Lilly Cares).
Felt this should be passed on as I have had to personally deal with this issue of recent and having to stop Cymbalta abruptly is NOT a pleasant experience. This medication is extremely costly and if their aren't options available to you, this might not be the best option as the company makes it very difficult to get the RX through them and most Doctors are not able to sample their patients. I would just advise you to know what your options are because this is a horrible medicine to have to stop taking abruptly. In fact, I have been on this medicine for several years and while it has had its benefits, had I known that I would not be able to get the RX or a generic form of the RX, I would never have agreed to take this medicine.
caringsonbj
15 Jan 2011
I have asked my friend who is an Rph he says no didn't think so but wanted to be sure take care
Inactive
27 Oct 2010
A patent currently prohibits any generic Cymbalta from being manufactured and sold in the United States. However, there are places claiming to sell a "generic Cymbalta," but be advised that these medications are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. The earliest date that a generic version of Cymbalta could become available is in 2013, when the patent expires.
angielee
14 July 2010
just to add my 2 cents in - I did order generic cymbalta outside u.s. It could've been a serious mistake because whatever was in those capsules( likely sugaur) was not an antidepressant and caused me some uncomfortable days while I played catchup with a new Rx for the real thing.
PelicanMtn
20 June 2012
Thank you for reporting your experience. I am online here, concerned with the costs of my meds while falling into the Gap period. You may have kept me and others from making a big mistake.
firebirdredrider
10 June 2013
I have a medicare advantage PPO plan(Humana), and also applied for and was approved for extra help from Medicare for prescriptions-this has been a real blessing-I don't have to worry about that donut hole thing or gap(lol I don't even know what that is!) I am rx'd several meds that I wouldn't be able to afford had I gone with just using the "Part D" of regular Medicare.
One of my meds is Brand name Duragesic Patches ah
Inactive
7 July 2010
Cymbalta is manufactured by Eli Lilly. It is currently protected by patent until 2013.
Eli Lilly can use various methods to extend the exclusivity period of Cymbalta beyond this date which is why this is the earliest that a generic may become available.
Once Cymbalta goes off patent, it becomes non-exclusive and a number of manufacturers may offer a generic version.
There is often confusion between the generic name and the generic version of a drug. Every brand name has an active ingredient which is called the "generic name". This is not the same as a "generic version" of a drug.
In order for there to be a generic version, the brand name must have gone off-patent and another company besides the original patent holder must be making the drug.
You may find a number of companies currently offering generic Cymbalta online but these are most likely fake and potentially dangerous. There may be a generic version of Cymbalta available in another country but there is no way to know if you are getting the genuine drug. For this reason you should avoid buying any generic version of Cymbalta unless you know it is definitely approved in your country.
fenix7
10 March 2010
Duloxetine is the chemical name. There is no generic for Cymbalta.
jessyk
10 March 2010
Update Dec 2013 - Generic now available.
https://www.drugs.com/availability/generic-cymbalta.html
Generic name for Cymbalta is Duloxetine. Many people buying generic cymbalta from foreign countries would be interested in that.
Ursy
10 March 2010
I don't believe there is a generic yet. I had to quit taking it b/c of the same financial situation & it was HORRIBLE to come off of.
dwinter49
7 June 2013
My wife lost her job and health insurance and we could not afford Cymbalta. If you go to Lillytruassist.com, you may qualify to get Cymbalta for free for 12 months. There also is a program to get a free 30 day supply. This program enabled my wife to stay on Cymbalta . Good luck.
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