FDA OKs First Generic Depakote

July 29, 2008 -- The FDA today approved the first generic version of Depakote delayed-release tablets.

[ivannitany]

when will it be available in a pharmacy?

[Jim]

I am pretty sure this is the DR, not the ER. The ER is going to be marketed by Mylan and they have not announced it on their site. The ER will be out before 2009 per an agreement. It won't be long before we can start saving a bunch of money.

[Amanda]

I just got it at Walgreens on August 18. It cost $10 for 3 months! Thats a HUGE savings!

[Jim]

Amanda wrote:

I just got it at Walgreens on August 18. It cost $10 for 3 months! Thats a HUGE savings!

Was that the ER or DR?

[Tammy]

I just read that Mylan will have ER available "by January 1, 2009"

[Kim Brown]

Amanda wrote:

I just got it at Walgreens on August 18. It cost $10 for 3 months! Thats a HUGE savings!

Amanda, plez tell me how u received ur depakote for so cheap!

[Jim]

Amanda wrote:

I just got it at Walgreens on August 18. It cost $10 for 3 months! Thats a HUGE savings!

I have also checked every discount store and have not found anything cheap. Even the generic is not much cheaper than the brand. Has anyone else beside Amanda found cheap Depakote?

[David]

Amanda, I noticed you haven't responded. I'd say you're FOS.

We have Walgreens here in Central New York,(Syracuse) and there's no way you are getting Depakote for $10, either regular Depakote including the extended release tabs.

Jim (Houston), sounds more likely that this whole "mental health" type drug thing is (IMHO)a "I'm from Missouri, I"ll believe it when I sees it...

[David]

Oh, and btw, it's ABBOT Labs that make Depakote. Mylan claims to be the third largest pharmaceutical company, but... doing the studies required a tremendous amount of money and effort, the kind that takes some big money -- so if any company, like Abbot Labs who makes Depakote, doesn't see the financial benefit in funding such a study, what makes you think that they won't pass the costs onto the consumer like every other company does ??? IF Mylan were to begin to make the generic, they would have to purchse something from Abbott, right, again the costs get passed onto the consumer yet again.

[Jim]

David wrote:

IF Mylan were to begin to make the generic, they would have to purchse something from Abbott, right, again the costs get passed onto the consumer yet again.

When the patent has expired anyone can make the generic. That is why Wal-Mart etc can sell $4 prescriptions. In the case of Abbott and Mylan it was an agreement through a court case. Mylan just has to produce it with no research needed so the generic is much cheaper.

[annie]

I just picked up my son's depokote rx from Longs Drugs and the generic is made by Dr. Reddy's Lab and it is ER. Orangish color, same size as the brand name, with R531 stamped on the pill.

[Jim]

Annie -- Mylan is supposed to have exclusive rights to make ER for the first six months after they start making it according to the court case. Mylan has not started making it yet.== I have never heard of a doctors lab making any kind of a pill. How much did you pay for the ER?

[Lydia Louise]

Looking for generic Depakote 500 mg. Was on ER and understand the patent extends to 2016. My MD said the generic version I could get for $4. But, I haven't been able to find that. Suggestions on stores that provide it?????

Thanks!

[Jim]

Lydia Louise wrote:

Looking for generic Depakote 500 mg. Was on ER and understand the patent extends to 2016. My MD said the generic version I could get for $4. But, I haven't been able to find that. Suggestions on stores that provide it?????
Thanks!

Lyndia ==
The generic on DR is out, but is not $4. It is only slightly cheaper than the brand name. The ER is due out before 2009 due to a court agreement between Abbott and Mylan. I am afraid we are not going to get a big price break though.
I google about everyday to see if the ER is out yet.

[Vanessa]

I am NOT happy with the generic depakote!!! I've been on Depakote for years and and about 2 months ago I switched over to generic and I feel some of my "irritable" symptons come back, my family says I have been having outbursts! The only thing that has changed in my life is I started taking the generic. Has anyone else experienced this? Should I change my treatment?

Vanessa

[Bob]

Is Depakote ER 500m. out yet? Has anyone
heard when?
I am paying $170.00 per month.

[Bob]

I meant the Generic version.

[Jim]

Bob -- I check everyday for it and have not seen anything yet. Earlier in the year a settlement was reached between Abbott and Mylan to produce the generic by Jan 1, 2009 but nothing so far. I know what you mean about the price. I have no insurance and I pay $250 a month. There should be a law about the high price of drugs. The Depakote DR generic is not that much cheaper than the brand. I expect the same thing with the ER. You can check here for new products from Mylan. This is where it will be posted when it comes out. http://mylanpharms.com/product/newProducts.as...

[Jim]

I wrote Mylan about when the generic Depakote ER would be out. This is what they said.===

Good Morning!

I received your email in regards to generic Depakote, which would be our Divalproex.
We have not received approval yet but we are anticipating it any day.
Please check our website periodically as it will be reflected on that.
http://www.mylanpharms.com/product/newProduct...

[Judy]

Vanessa wrote:

I am NOT happy with the generic depakote!!! I've been on Depakote for years and and about 2 months ago I switched over to generic and I feel some of my "irritable" symptons come back, my family says I have been having outbursts! The only thing that has changed in my life is I started taking the generic. Has anyone else experienced this? Should I change my treatment?
Vanessa

I have been on depakote and about 1 1/2 months ago switched to the generic brand. I am now in a depressed state and I believe it is because of the switch to generic. Anyone else experience this?