Posted by alan on September 10, 2002, at 22:52:26
In reply to Re: (Long)see bottom » Alan, posted by pharmrep on September 7, 2002, at 2:10:04
Celexa contains two "mirror-image" molecules, one of them active and the other not. Lexapro contains only the active molecule.
The makers knew this in the beginning and they could have produced Lexapro right off the bat. But this way they get to double the length of their patent. First they sell the mixed form (Celexa) until its patent expires. Then they patent the "purified" form (Lexapro) and sell that as superior. To the extent that the inactive molecule really is inactive, the only difference between the medications (besides price!) is that you can take half as much of Lexapro to get the same results.Welcome to the world's most profitable industry.
poster:alan
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020906/msgs/119513.html