Generic Brovana

There are no generic Brovana (arformoterol tartrate) products available in the U.S. at this time. The medication is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic versions from being manufactured. When this patent expires in April 2012, however, other drug companies are expected to begin manufacturing a generic Brovana medication.

 

Brovana Generic: An Overview

Brovana® (arformoterol tartrate) is a prescription medication used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is part of a class of medications known as beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, or beta agonists for short. It is a long-acting COPD medication used twice a day, every day to help prevent COPD symptoms.
 
Brovana is manufactured by Sepracor, Inc. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Brovana from being manufactured in the United States.
 

When Will Generic Brovana Be Available?

The first patent for Brovana currently expires in April 2012. This is the earliest predictable date that a generic version of the medication could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could arise to extend or shorten the exclusivity period of Brovana. This could include such things as lawsuits or other patents for specific Brovana uses. Once Brovana goes off patent, there may be several companies that will begin manufacturing a generic Brovana drug.
 

Is Arformoterol a Generic Brovana?

The answer is no. Arformoterol is the active ingredient in Brovana but is not a generic version of the medicine. 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.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;