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Which Drug Patents Are Expiring in 2021?

Did you know that forecasts predict hospital drug spending to increase by 3.29% in 2021?

If hospitals expect inflation for their spending, you can expect the same for yours.

Do you or a loved one depend on life-saving drugs? Do you know which ones became affordable because the drug patents expired?

Keep reading to find out which drugs you can expect to drop in price in 2021. Helping yourself or a loved one afford life-saving medications may become easier next year.

It’s important to note that this does not represent a comprehensive list of side effects. If you have questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

The following drugs have patents that expire in 2021:

  • Amitiza
  • Atripla
  • Brilinta
  • Brovana
  • Bystolic
  • Perforomist
  • Pradaxa
  • Selzentry
  • Sutent
  • Tarceva
  • Truvada

Amitiza

Doctors prescribe this oral drug to treat irritable bowel syndrome. The drug improves stool texture, bloating, needing to strain, and abdominal discomfort.

Patients in pain who experience constipation from opioids also use Lubiprostone.

You can find Amitiza under the generic name Lubiprostone in 2021.

This medication belongs to the chloride channel activator class of drugs. This drug works by increasing the fluid in your intestines to make passing stools easier.

Amitiza Side Effects

The most common side effects include:

  • Gas
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Cry Mouth
  • Runny nose
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Joint or back pain

Call a doctor if you experience these serious symptoms:

  • Mental or mood changes
  • Swelling in the arms or legs

Precautions for Amitiza

Before taking Amitiza, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any history with the following:

  • Allergies
  • Liver disease
  • Stomach or intestinal problems

Atripla

Doctors prescribe this drug to treat patients with HIV. The medication works by decreasing the amount of HIV so that the immune system can work efficiently. Atripla also lowers your chance of further complications and improves your quality of life.

This medicine contains three different products:

  • Tenofovir
  • Efavirenz
  • Emtricitabine

You can find Atripla under the generic name Efavirenz-Emtricitabin-Tenofov in 2021.

Efavirenz belongs to the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) category of drugs. Emtricitabin-Tenofov belongs to the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) category of drugs.

Atripla Side Effects

The most common side effects include:

  • Insomnia
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Strange dreams
  • Trouble concentrating

Don’t delay calling a doctor if you experience these serious symptoms:

  • Dark urine
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Yellowing eyes or skin
  • Deep or rapid breathing
  • Stomach or abdominal pain

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience one of these side effects:

  • Fainting
  • Severe dizziness
  • Irregular, fast, or slow heartbeat

Precautions for Atripla

Before taking Atripla, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any history with the following:

  • Allergies
  • Liver problems
  • High cholesterol
  • Kidney problems
  • Pancreatic problems
  • Drug or substance abuse
  • Depression or thoughts of suicide

Brilinta

Doctors prescribe Brilinta to treat high blood pressure patients at high-risk for heart attacks, kidney problems, or strokes. This medication belongs to the beta-blocker class of drugs, and it blocks epinephrine and the activity of the heart and blood vessels.

You can find Brilinta under the generic name Ticagrelor in 2021.

Brilinta Side Effects

The most common side effects include:

  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Nosebleed
  • Headaches
  • Shortness of breath

Don’t delay calling a doctor if you experience these serious symptoms:

  • Bleeding
  • Easy bruising
  • Black or bloody stool
  • Bloody, pink, or dark urine
  • Vomit with blood that looks like ground coffee

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience one of these side effects:

  • Fainting
  • Confusion
  • Vision changes
  • Trouble speaking
  • Irregular, fast, or slow heartbeat
  • Red or purple spots on the skin with a fever

Precautions for Brilinta

Before taking Brilinta, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any history with the following:

  • Gout
  • Liver disease
  • History of allergies
  • Heart rhythm problems
  • History of bleeding problems

Brovana

Doctors prescribe Brovana to treat and prevent breathing problems caused by emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  The medicine relaxes muscles around the airway to allow patients to breathe without wheezing or shortness of breath.

You can find Brovana under the generic name Arformoterol in 2021.

Arformoterol belongs to the long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) category of drugs. You may be familiar with the term bronchodilator in references to this medicine.

Brovana Side Effects

The most common side effects include:

  • Nausea
  • Anxiety
  • Dizziness
  • Insomnia
  • Headache
  • Dry mouth
  • Shaking or tremors

Precautions for Brovana

Before taking Brovana, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any history with the following:

  • Allergies
  • Aneurysm
  • Liver problems
  • Heart problems
  • Overactive thyroid
  • High blood pressure

Bystolic

Doctors prescribe Bystolic to treat high blood pressure. This medicine may help prevent kidney problems, heart attacks, and strokes.

You can find Bystolic under the generic name Nebivolol in 2021.

Nebivolol belongs to the beta-blocker class of drugs. This drug prevents the use of

Bystolic Side Effects

The most common side effects include:

  • Nausea
  • Insomnia
  • Headaches
  • Slow heartbeat
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness

If you’re experiencing dizziness, take your time when you rise from lying or sitting down.

It’s possible to experience cold hands or feet on this medication due to reduced blood flow. If you smoke or vape, that can make this effect worse on your body. Avoid tobacco and dress warmly when going outside.

Don’t delay calling a doctor if you experience these serious symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Sudden weight gain
  • Blue fingers or toes
  • Swollen ankles or feet
  • Mood or mental changes (mood swings or depression)

Precautions for Bystolic

Before taking Bystolic, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any history with the following:

  • Allergies
  • Liver disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Breathing problems
  • Blood circulation problems

Perforomist

Doctors prescribe Perforomist to treat patients who have problems breathing due to chronic lung disease. Anyone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, or even bronchitis take this medicine.

You can find Perforomist under the generic name Formoterol Fumarate in 2021.

Formoterol Fumarate belongs to the long-acting inhaled beta-agonists (LABAs) class of drugs. This medicine relaxes muscles around airways so that patients don’t have to work as hard to breathe.

Perforormist Side Effects

The most common side effects include:

  • Nausea
  • Tremors
  • Dizziness
  • Dry Mouth
  • Headaches
  • Nervousness
  • Trouble sleeping

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience one of these side effects:

  • Muscle cramps
  • Muscle weakness
  • Increasing thirst or urination

Precautions for Perforormist

Before taking Perforormist, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any history with the following:

  • Seizures
  • Diabetes
  • Liver problems
  • Heart problems
  • History of allergies
  • High blood pressure

Pradaxa

Doctors prescribe Pradaxa to patients to treat blood clots and reduce the risk that they will return. People at high risk for stroke, irregular heartbeat, or blood clots take this medication.

You can find Pradaxa under the generic name Dabigatran Etexilate in 2021.

Dabigatran Etexilate works as an anticoagulant that prevents a protein (thrombin) from creating clots.

Pradaxa Side Effects

The most common side effects include:

  • Heartburn
  • Easy bruising
  • Minor bleeding
  • Upset stomach

Don’t delay calling a doctor if you experience these serious symptoms:

  • Coughing blood
  • Pink or dark urine
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Black or bloody stools
  • Persistent or frequent nosebleeds
  • Longer bleeding than usual from the gums or small cuts

Precautions for Pradaxa

Before taking Pradaxa, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any history with the following:

  • Allergies
  • Kidney disease
  • Recent surgery
  • Blood disorders
  • Clotting disorders
  • Bleeding problems
  • Mechanical heart valve
  • Frequent falls or injuries

Selzentry

Doctors prescribe Selzentry to HIV patients to help control the infection. The drug works to reduce the amount of HIV in your blood so your immune system can work.

You can find Selzentry under the generic name Maraviroc in 2021.

Maraviroc belongs to the inhibitors class of drugs. It works in the body by preventing HIV from infecting healthy T-cells. This medicine improves the quality of life and lessens complications from the auto-immune disease.

Selzentry Side Effects

The most common side effects include:

  • Cough
  • Drowsiness
  • Stomach pain
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience one of these side effects:

  • Joint pain
  • Severe headaches
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Left arm, jaw, or chest pain
  • Trouble breathing or swallowing
  • Numbness or tingling in extremities
  • Persistent muscle aches or weakness

Precautions for Selzentry

Before taking Selzentry, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any history with the following:

  • Allergies
  • Liver disease
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Low blood pressure
  • Hepatitis B infection
  • Hepatitis C infection

Sutent

Doctors prescribe Sutent to treat intestinal, pancreatic, or kidney cancer. This drug typically treats patients who had kidney surgery to reduce the risk of the tumor returning. This medication slows new blood vessels from growing inside a tumor.

You can find Sutent under the generic name Sunitinib in 2021.

Patients on Sunitinib need to avoid contact sports and take precautions when handling sharp objects. Wound tend to heal slow while taking this medication.

Sutent Side Effects

The most common side effects include:

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Upset stomach
  • Dry or cracked skin
  • Decrease in appetite
  • Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs

Call a doctor if you experience these serious symptoms:

  • Headache
  • Coughing blood
  • Toe or joint pain
  • Black or bloody stools
  • Cold or heat intolerance
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Sore or pains on the mouth or tongue
  • Rash or blisters on the palm of the hands or soles of the feet

Precautions for Sutent

Before taking Sutent, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any history with the following:

  • Allergies
  • Liver problems
  • Kidney disease
  • Thyroid disease
  • Bleeding problems
  • High blood pressure
  • Other blood pressure problems (aorta tear or aneurysm)

Tarceva

Doctors prescribe Tarceva to pancreatic and lung cancer patients to slow (or stop) cancer cells from growing. Patients taking this medication need to take it on an empty stomach 1 to 2 hours before eating a meal, once daily.

You can find Tarceva under the generic name Erlotinib in 2021.

Tarceva Side Effects

The most common side effects include:

  • Dry skin
  • Diarrhea
  • Mouth sores
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Eye dryness or redness

It’s possible to experience severe diarrhea symptoms while on Tarceva. You may receive a prescription for an anti-diarrheal along with this medication. If the symptoms don’t stop or get worse, call your pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible.

Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit if you’re using this medicine. You can increase the likelihood of side effects.

Call a doctor if you experience these serious symptoms:

  • Eye pain
  • Vision changes
  • Easy bleeding or bruising
  • Stomach or abdominal pain
  • Persistent nausea or vomiting
  • A significant change in the amount of urine you produce
  • Symptoms of dehydration (dizziness, muscle cramps, fainting, extreme thirst)

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience one of these side effects:

  • Seizures
  • Confusion
  • Trouble speaking
  • Shortness of breath
  • New or worsening cough
  • Chest, jaw, or left arm pain
  • Weakness on one side of your body

Precautions for Tarceva

Before taking Tarceva, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any history with the following:

  • Allergies
  • Avoid alcohol
  • Kidney disease
  • Stomach or intestinal issues
  • Limit time sunbathing or using tanning booths

Truvada

Doctors prescribe this medication to HIV patients to help control the infection.  This medicine improves the quality of life and lessens complications from the auto-immune disease.

You can find Truvada under the generic name Emtricitabine-Tenofovir (TDF) in 2021.

Truvada may put patients at risk for bone loss, so consider taking extra calcium and vitamin D. Talk to your doctor first, especially if you’re at high risk for bone loss. Your doctor needs to monitor your bone mineral density during treatment.

Truvada Side Effects

The most common side effects include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Insomnia
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Back pain
  • Change in color of the skin

Don’t delay calling a doctor if you experience these serious symptoms:

  • Joint pain
  • Bulging eyes
  • Trouble speaking
  • Trouble breathing
  • Goiters in the neck
  • Sudden change in vision
  • Persistent muscle aches or pains
  • Fast or irregular heartbeat

Precautions for Truvada

Before taking Truvada, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any history with the following:

  • Cirrhosis
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Pancreatitis
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Bone problems

Do You Need One of These Drugs?

Did one or more of these drug patents help you or a loved one? Are you still paying for the name-brand version?

Now that you know which medicines go generic in 2021, it’s time to save on the outrageous prices.

90-Day Meds offers savings of up to 90% for both generic and name-brand drugs. Search for the prescription drugs you need today or give us a call at 1-800-828-4889.

Works Cited

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-95153/amitiza-oral/details

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-144753/atripla-oral/details

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-156521/brilinta-oral/details

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-147962/brovana-inhalation/details

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-149883/bystolic-oral/details

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-148979/perforomist-inhalation/details

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-154839/pradaxa-oral/details

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-148935/selzentry-oral/details

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-94972/sutent-oral/details

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-92160/tarceva-oral/details

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-91482/truvada-oral/details

Medications

Atripla (Efavirenz/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir)