Generic Femhrt

There are currently no generic femhrt products available in the United States, as the medication is protected by patents. Although the first patent for femhrt does not expire until May 2010, there is a settlement pending that would allow a generic version of the drug to become available in November 2009.

 

Femhrt Generic: An Overview

A prescription drug, femhrt® (norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol) is a hormone replacement that is approved for the following uses:
 
  • Preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
  • Treating menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats.
     
The drug contains both a progestin (norethindrone) and an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol), and is only approved for women who still have a uterus (who have not had a hysterectomy).
 
femhrt is made by Warner Chilcott. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic femhrt from being manufactured in the United States.
 

When Will Generic Femhrt Be Available?

The first patent for femhrt currently expires in May 2010. Normally, this would be the earliest possible date that a generic version of femhrt could become available. However, due to a settlement between Warner Chilcott and Barr Laboratories (a generic drug manufacturer), it is expected that a generic version of femhrt will be available in November 2009.
 

Is Norethindrone or Ethinyl Estradiol a Generic Femhrt?

No -- norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol are the active ingredients in femhrt, but they are not generic versions of it. What can be confusing is that, oftentimes, the active ingredient of a 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 would make the product.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;