Generic ARVs
2 November 2021. Related: ARVs, Fixed dose combinations, Integrase inhibitors, NNRTIs, Nukes, PIs.
A generic drug is one that is manufactured by a different pharmaceutical company to the company that invented the medicine.
Generic drugs are widely used in all countries.
In the UK about 60% to 85% of all NHS prescriptions are for generic drugs.
The percentage varies depending on whether this is based on number of prescriptions or overall cost of drugs. This includes medicines for heart disease, diabetes, blood pressure, statins to lower cholesterol, pain relief, cancer and now HIV.
Generic medicines contain the same active ingredients as the original drugs.
Generic combination pills are also widely used in low income countries, even when patents are still in place in high-income countries.
Generic drugs are also widely used in high-income countries after the patents end.
There are many generic versions of tenofovir DF (TD), lamivudine (3TC) and dolutegravir coformulated into a single pill (TLD). These include Acriptega, Dovimil, Emdolten, Lanograv, Lavern, Luvigen, Milutin, Nuvaco, Odystra, Ranega, Reydin, Telado, Telatri, Temiv, Tladeez, Viripil and Volutrip. See this website for generics in South Africa. These versions are not available yet in high-income countries where dolutegravir is still in patent.
Widely used generic versions of TLD include:
Commercial drug name | Generic manufacturer |
Acriptega, Odystra, Ranega | Mylan Pharma |
Dovimil, Luvigen, Milutin | Hetero Pharma |
Emdolten | Aspen Pharma |
Kovatrax | McCleods Pharma |
Lanograv, Telatri | Ranbaxy Drugs |
Lavern, Temiv | Emcure Pharma |
Nuvaco | AI Pharma |
Reydin, Telado | Cipla Pharma |
Tladeez | Kiara Health |
Volutrip | Aurobindo |
Vonavir * | Emcure |
* Some generic versions of TLD include emtricitabine (FTC) instead of lamivudine, (i.e. Vonavir). These combinations are just as good. FTC and 3TC are very similar medicines.
The first generic version of Biktarvy is made by Hetero Pharma with a brand name Taffic. This is another integrase-based FDC. It includes tenofovir AF, lamivudine (3TC) and bictegravir. Other companies are likely to produce versions later.
Generic versions of Atripla include the same active ingredients – efavirenz plus emtricitabine plus tenofovir-DF.
Widely used generic versions of Atripla include:
Commercial drug name | Generic manufacturer |
Atenef | Sonke Pharma |
Atreslawin | Winthrop Pharma |
Atroiza | Mylan Pharma |
Citenvir | Novagen Pharma |
Heftenam | Hetero Drugs |
Odimune | Cipla Pharma |
Rizene | AI Pharma |
Teevir | Mylan Pharma |
Trenvir | Cipla Pharma |
Tribuss | Aspen Pharma |
Triemta | Macleods Pharma |
Triolar | Macleods Pharma |
Trivage | ? |
Trivenz | Ai Pharama |
Truno | Aurobindo |
Trustiva | Hetero Healthcare |
Viraday | Cipla |
All these combination pills contain the same active ingredients as Atripla and are just as safe and effective.
Generic versions of Atripla that use lamivudine (3TC) instead of emtricitabine (FTC) include: Avonza (Mylan), Tenarenz (Aspen Pharma) and Eflaten.
Generic versions of Truvada include Adco-Entevir (made by Adcok-Ingram), Hetemcit (Activo Health), Tenvir-EM (made by Cipla), Ricovir-EM (Mylan), Telura (Mylan Pharma) and Tenemine. These medicines contain tenofovir-DF plus emtricitabine and are used as PrEP by HIV negative people to protect against HIV infection. It is legal in the UK to import generic medicines for personal use, even if the patent on the brand medicine has not yet expired.
Generic versions of Kivexa include Dumiva and Rilovia (made by Mylan) and Heteruam (Lupin).
Although not a generic, Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) is called Aluvia in many countries.
Generic versions of nevirapine include Brinoprin (Hetero Pharma), Nevir (Forrester Pharma), Nevivir (Activo Health), Viropon (Novagen Pharma) and many generics also called Nevirapine.
Rather than using the brand name, look for the list of active ingredients. This is usually in smaller text on the box or leaflet that comes with your meds.
This website in South Africa has a good search engine for looking for generic versions of many different medicines. For example, this include different antibiotics, as well as HIV meds.
http://www.generic.co.za