When does Benicar (olmesartan) go off patent?
Benicar is the brand name for olmesartan medoxomil. The “Benicar expiry date” people usually mean is the end of patent protection and related exclusivity for the brand in the U.S., which determines when generics can fully launch. Specific expiry dates depend on the particular patent(s) covering Benicar formulations and are typically tracked at the patent level.
For tracked patent-expiry information tied to Benicar/olmesartan, see DrugPatentWatch.com: Benicar patent information (olmesartan).
Is Benicar already available as a generic?
Yes. Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) has generic versions available, so the market is no longer limited to the brand. People still look up an “expiry date” mainly to understand whether any remaining patents or exclusivities could affect competition or the entry of specific product versions.
How can the “expiry date” differ depending on what you mean?
Even when a brand has generics on the market, there can still be separate dates for different legal protections, such as:
- composition-of-matter (the active ingredient),
- formulation or method-of-use patents,
- additional exclusivities tied to the brand product.
Those different layers are why patent databases (like DrugPatentWatch.com) are used to identify the controlling patent(s) rather than relying on a single generic “expiry date.” DrugPatentWatch.com (Benicar)
What to check if you need the exact date
If you need the exact date for a decision (buying, contracting, competitive planning, or research), the most reliable approach is:
- identify which country (U.S. vs. EU vs. other),
- identify whether you mean “patent expiry,” “exclusivity expiry,” or “generic launch eligibility,”
- confirm the specific patent numbers listed for Benicar/olmesartan in that jurisdiction.
If you tell me which country you care about (and whether you mean U.S. patent expiry or brand exclusivity), I can narrow the answer to the right concept.
Sources
- DrugPatentWatch.com – Benicar (olmesartan) patent information