Generic Aricept: An Overview
Aricept® (
donepezil hydrochloride) is a prescription medication that is used to treat the symptoms of mild, moderate, and severe
Alzheimer's disease. It is not a cure for
Alzheimer's, but it can help improve memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform simple tasks.
Aricept is manufactured by Eisai Inc. and is currently protected by a patent that prevents any generic Aricept from being manufactured. If you search the Internet for "generic Aricept," however, you will find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. You should not buy any generic Aricept until there is an approved version available.
When Will There Be a Generic Aricept?
The patent for Aricept expires in November 2010. It is expected that once Aricept goes off patent, there are several companies that will begin manufacturing a generic Aricept drug.
Is Donepezil a Generic Aricept?
The answer is no. Donepezil hydrochloride is the active ingredient in Aricept but is not a generic version of Aricept. Oftentimes, the active ingredient of a drug is referred to as the "generic name." However, the generic name is different than 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.
