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Generic Zegerid OTC
Because Zegerid OTC is protected by patents, no generic version of this medication is available at this time. The first patent is set to expire in July 2016, which is the earliest predictable date that a generic Zegerid OTC product may be manufactured. It's important to note that omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate is the "generic name" for this product; it is not a "generic version."
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Zegerid OTC™ (omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate) is a nonprescription medication approved for treating frequent heartburn. Zegerid OTC contains omeprazole (a proton pump inhibitor, or PPI) along with sodium bicarbonate (which allows the omeprazole to be absorbed).
Zegerid OTC is made by Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc. Currently, the drug is protected by patents that prevent any generic versions from being sold in the United States.
The first patent for Zegerid OTC currently expires in July 2016. This is the earliest predictable date that a generic version of the drug could become available. However, this could change, depending on many factors (such as lawsuits or additional patents). Once Zegerid OTC goes off-patent, there may be several companies that will manufacture a generic Zegerid OTC drug.
No -- omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate are the active ingredients in Zegerid OTC, but not generic versions of the drug. 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 must make the product.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD