Is a Generic Lybrel Available?
Lybrel™ (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol) is a prescription birth control pill. It is one of the many
oral contraceptives available. It is the first and only birth control pill that is approved to be taken continuously, without any hormone-free periods. As a result, women do not have regular, monthly periods while taking Lybrel (although most women have some irregular bleeding and spotting from time to time).
Lybrel is made by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Despite what you may read on the Internet, no generic Lybrel is available in the United States. Lybrel is currently protected by a patent that prevents any generic from being sold in the United States.
When Will Generic Lybrel Be Available?
The first patent for Lybrel is set to expire in September 2018. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Lybrel could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of Lybrel beyond 2018. This could include things such as new patents for specific
Lybrel uses or lawsuits between drug manufacturers. Once Lybrel goes off patent, there may be several companies that will begin manufacturing generic Lybrel products.
Will My Insurance Cover Lybrel?
Each insurance company is different. There has been a long history of insurance companies not covering contraceptive products, although this is beginning to change. More and more insurances are beginning to cover contraceptives. Because Lybrel is not available in a generic form, you may have to pay a higher co-payment.
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