Generic Xenical

Even though the first patent for Xenical expired in December 2009, no generic versions of the drug are being made or sold in the United States. The reason for this is not entirely understood, although it's possible that other patents are protecting the drug from generic competition.

Generic Xenical: An Overview

Xenical® (orlistat) is a prescription weight loss medication that works by blocking the absorption of fat from your diet. It is approved to help people lose weight and to keep the weight off, and should be used in conjunction with an appropriate diet.
 
Xenical is made by GlaxoSmithKline. There are no generic versions of Xenical available in the United States yet.
 

When Will Generic Xenical Be Available?

The first patent for Xenical expired in December 2009. It is unclear why generic versions of the drug are not yet available. Perhaps the other listed patents (the next of which is set to expire in July 2018) provide protection against generic competition.
 
When multiple patents are listed (as is the case with Xenical), it is often unclear which patents provide true protection against generic competition. Therefore, it is difficult (if not impossible) to predict when exactly a generic version will become available.
 

Is Orlistat the Same as Generic Xenical?

No -- orlistat is the active ingredient in Xenical (as well as in the nonprescription medication
 Alli™), but is not a generic version of it. 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.
 
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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