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43 Drugs Going Generic in the Next 5 Years (2018-2022)

Tori Marsh, MPH
Written by Tori Marsh, MPH
Published on July 26, 2018
This article is no longer being updated and some information may not be current. Visit the GoodRx Health homepage for our latest articles.

Brand-only drugs like Restasis, Eliquis and Lyrica can cost well over $500 for a month’s supply, and without cheaper generic alternatives, patients are often forced to either shell out their life savings or give up essential medications. FDA initiatives to expedite the drug review process and prohibit manufacturers from holding market exclusivity for too long will hopefully bring many generics to the market soon. In fact, more than 40 expensive brand drugs are expected to go generic in the next five years.

5 open pill bottles, shot from above.
tab1962/iStock via Getty Images Plus

This push is purely driven by the cost savings that generics provide to consumers as they can cost up to 95% less than brand drugs. Brand-name medications are expensive because they are protected by a patent, giving one manufacturer market exclusivity, and the ability to price the brand drug as they see fit. When a patent expires, competitors are free to enter the market with their own versions of the brand—known as the generic.

This is the main reason generic drugs can be so affordable—as more manufacturers compete to sell their version of a generic drug, prices go down. Additionally, unlike brand manufacturers, generic manufacturers don’t have to shoulder expensive research and development costs or spend money on advertising, allowing them to price their drugs lower.

Here are some of the more popular brand-name drugs that are going generic in the next five years. Keep in mind that the listed anticipated release dates are tentative, and as manufacturers continue to push the limit to hold patent protection on their brand drugs, these dates could change.

Is your drug on the list?

Drugs Going Generic in 2018

Brand  Generic What is it for? Anticipated release date
Cialis tadalafil erectile dysfunction September, 2018
Levitra vardenafil erectile dysfunction October, 2018
Finacea azelaic acid  rosacea November, 2018
Fortesta testosterone low testosterone November, 2018
Symbicort budesonide / formoterol asthma & COPD Mid to late 2018

Drugs Going Generic in 2019

Brand Generic What is it for? Anticipated release date
Latuda lurasidone schizophrenia & bipolar disorder January, 2019
Restasis cyclosporine dry eyes & eye inflammation  Early 2019
Gilenya fingolimod multiple sclerosis February, 2019
Vesicare solifenacin overactive bladder May, 2019
Uloric febuxostat gout June, 2019
Lyrica pregabalin nerve pain July, 2019
Thalomid thalidomide multiple myeloma August, 2019
Zubsolv buprenorphine / naloxone  drug dependence September, 2019
Osmoprep sodium phosphate colonoscopy prep November, 2019
Eliquis apixiban blood thinner 2019

Drugs Going Generic in 2020

Brand Generic What is it for? Anticipated release date
Daliresp roflumilast COPD January, 2020
Noxafil posaconazole fungal & yeast infections January, 2020
Delzicol mesalamine ulcerative colitis March, 2020
Chantix varenicline smoking cessation May, 2020
Dexilant dexlansoprazole gastroesophageal reflux disease June, 2020
Desonate desonide eczema August, 2020
Absorica isotretinoin acne December, 2020
Saphris asenapine schizophrenia & bipolar disorder December, 2020

Drugs Going Generic in 2021

Brand Generic What is it for? Anticipated release date
Amitiza lubiprostone constipation January, 2021
Sutent sunitinib kidney cancer February, 2021
Tarceva erlotinib lung & pancreatic cancer May, 2021
Perforomist formoterol asthma & COPD June, 2021
Brilinta ticagrelor heart attack & stroke July 2021
Selzentry maraviroc HIV August, 2021
Atripla efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir HIV September, 2021
Bystolic nebivolol high blood pressure September, 2021
Truvada emtricitabine / tenofovir HIV September, 2021
Brovana arformoterol asthma & COPD September, 2021
Pradaxa dabigatran atrial fibrillation September, 2021

Drugs Going Generic in 2022

Brand Generic What is it for? Anticipated release date
Revlimid lenalidomide multiple myeloma March, 2022
Vimpat lacosamide epilepsy March, 2022
Zipsor diclofenac pain & swelling March, 2022
Viibryd vilazodone depression June, 2022
Janumet sitagliptin / metformin type 2 diabetes July, 2022
Janumet XR sitagliptin / metformin ER type 2 diabetes July, 2022
Januvia sitagliptin type 2 diabetes July, 2022
Toviaz fesoterodine ER overactive bladder July, 2022
Epiduo Forte adapalene 0.3% / benzoyl peroxide 2.5% acne December, 2022

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Tori Marsh, MPH
Written by:
Tori Marsh, MPH
Tori Marsh is GoodRx’s resident expert on prescription drug pricing, prescribing trends, and drug savings. She oversees the GoodRx drug database, ensuring that all drug information is accurate and up to date.

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