Olux® (
clobetasol propionate foam) is a prescription skin medication. It is a topical steroid, which is applied directly on the affected areas of the skin twice a day. It comes in the form of a regular foam and an alcohol-free emollient foam (
Olux-E).
Olux-E is made by Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. Olux is made by Connetics Corporation. The drug is protected against generic competition by patents, and no generic versions are available in the United States.
When Will a Generic Version Be Available?
The first patents for Olux are set to expire in March 2016 (for regular Olux) and September 2019 (for Olux-E). This is the earliest predictable date that generic versions of Olux could become available.
However, other circumstances could come up to extend or shorten this exclusivity period. This could include such things as lawsuits or other patents for new
Olux uses.
Is Clobetasol Propionate a Generic Version of Olux?
No --
clobetasol propionate is the active ingredient in Olux (as well as several other prescription skin products), but it is not a generic version it. What can be confusing is that the active ingredient of a drug is often 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.
None of the other products, such as
Temovate® or
Clobex®, are interchangeable with Olux, although they may be considered suitable alternatives.
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