Dr Reddy's launches anti-depressant, muscle relaxant tablets in US

Launches Bupropion Hydrochloride extended-release tablets USP in strengths of 150 mg and 300 mg

Dr Reddy's Laboratories Limited announced on Wednesday that it has launched anti-depressant, Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended Release Tablets, 150 mg and 300 mg, as well as muscle relaxant drug Metaxalone in the US market.

The anti-depressant drug is a generic equivalent version of Wellbutrin XL, a trademark of GlaxoSmithKline LLC. The brand and generic sales of the drug was approximately $754 million for the recent twelve months ending July 2017, according to IMS Health.

It may be recalled that Indian generic companies Cipla and Lupin had launched Wellbutrin's generic version of 150 mg and 300 mg dose tablets in April 2016 and June 2017 respectively.

However, the generic version of Welbutrin SR (100 mg, 150 mg and 200 mg) is being sold by Dr Reddy's since September 2016.

Metaxalone, which is used for the treatment of skeletal muscle conditions such as pain and injury, is a generic equivalent version of the Skelaxin brand of King Pharmaceuticals Research and Development, Inc. The brand and generics of this drug had sales of around $129 million during the same period as per IMS Health data.