QuickRx | Is There a Generic for Zytiga?

If you’ve been prescribed Zytiga (abiraterone acetate) for prostate cancer treatment, one of the first questions you’ll likely ask is whether a generic version is available. The answer is yes — generic abiraterone has been available in the United States since October 2018, and multiple FDA-approved manufacturers now produce it.

This guide explains exactly when generic Zytiga became available, who makes it, whether it’s as effective as the brand, and what you need to know about getting access to it.

When Did Generic Zytiga Become Available?

Brand Zytiga was originally approved by the FDA on April 28, 2011, for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The first generic version arrived seven years later.

Generic abiraterone availability timeline:

• April 28, 2011 — Brand Zytiga FDA approved
• February 7, 2018 — Zytiga’s indication expanded to include metastatic high-risk castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC)
• October 31, 2018 — First generic abiraterone acetate 250 mg tablets approved (Hikma and Mylan)
• May 2019 — U.S. Court of Appeals upheld a ruling invalidating a key Johnson & Johnson patent, opening the market to additional generic competition
• December 14, 2020 — First generic abiraterone acetate 500 mg tablets approved (Mylan)
• 2022–2024 — Additional manufacturers (Novugen, Regcon, MSN) received FDA approval, expanding generic supply

So if your doctor wrote a prescription for Zytiga today, you can almost certainly get the generic version — and most insurance plans now require it unless your physician documents a specific medical need for the brand.

Who Makes Generic Abiraterone Acetate?

Multiple FDA-approved manufacturers produce generic abiraterone acetate. According to FDA approval records and Drugs.com, the major manufacturers include:

Generic Abiraterone 250 mg Manufacturers

• Hikma Pharmaceuticals — Approved October 31, 2018
• Mylan (now part of Viatris) — Approved October 31, 2018
• Rising Pharmaceuticals — Approved February 25, 2019
• Wockhardt — Approved February 27, 2019
• MSN Pharmaceuticals — Approved July 10, 2019
• Qilu Pharmaceutical — Approved September 27, 2019
• Novugen — Approved January 5, 2022

Generic Abiraterone 500 mg Manufacturers

• Mylan — Approved December 14, 2020
• Qilu Pharmaceutical — Approved June 25, 2021
• Novugen — Approved January 5, 2022
• Regcon Holdings — Approved March 23, 2023
• MSN Pharmaceuticals — Approved April 24, 2024
• Amneal Pharmaceuticals — Also produces generic abiraterone

Your pharmacy will dispense whichever generic manufacturer they have in stock at the time of fill. All are FDA-approved and bioequivalent — the active ingredient and clinical effectiveness are identical regardless of which company manufactures it.

Need Help Getting Generic Abiraterone?

Call (917) 830-2525

Is Generic Abiraterone as Effective as Brand Zytiga?

Yes. The FDA requires generic medications to be bioequivalent to the brand-name version, meaning they must contain the same active ingredient, deliver it to the bloodstream at the same rate and concentration, and produce the same clinical effect.

For the FDA to approve a generic medication, the manufacturer must demonstrate:

• Same active ingredient: Generic abiraterone contains the identical active pharmaceutical ingredient as Zytiga
• Same strength: Available in the same 250 mg and 500 mg doses
• Same dosage form: Oral tablets
• Same route of administration: Taken by mouth
• Same rate and extent of absorption: The drug must enter the bloodstream at the same rate and concentration

The FDA assigns an “AB” rating to generics that meet these bioequivalence standards. AB-rated generics are considered therapeutically equivalent to the brand and can be substituted at the pharmacy.

What might look different about generic abiraterone

While the active ingredient is identical, you may notice cosmetic differences:

• Tablet appearance: Generic tablets may be different colors, shapes, or have different markings depending on the manufacturer
• Inactive ingredients: Fillers, binders, and dyes may vary (these don’t affect how the drug works)
• Packaging: Generic packaging looks different from brand Zytiga’s packaging
• Price: Generic abiraterone is dramatically less expensive than brand Zytiga

None of these differences affect clinical effectiveness. If you’ve been on brand Zytiga and switch to generic, you should not experience any change in how the medication works.

Important: Yonsa Is NOT the Same as Generic Zytiga

This is a common point of confusion. Both Zytiga and Yonsa contain abiraterone acetate, but they are not interchangeable.

• Zytiga uses a standard formulation. Standard dose is 1,000 mg once daily, taken on an empty stomach.
• Yonsa (manufactured by Sun Pharmaceutical) uses a different formulation called ultramicrosize or fine particle. Yonsa has different dosing requirements and can be taken with or without food.

There is currently no generic version of Yonsa available. If your doctor has specifically prescribed Yonsa, generic abiraterone (which is the generic of Zytiga) is NOT a direct substitute. Talk to your prescriber before any substitution.

How to Access Generic Abiraterone

Once your doctor prescribes abiraterone, your pharmacy will typically dispense the generic version automatically — unless your prescription specifies “brand medically necessary” or “dispense as written.”

What to expect at the pharmacy

• Insurance coverage: Most insurance plans cover generic abiraterone. Many require generic substitution unless your doctor documents a specific medical reason for brand
• Prior authorization: Some plans require prior authorization even for generics — your prescriber’s office and your pharmacy can navigate this
• Out-of-pocket costs: Even with insurance, abiraterone can have significant copays. Manufacturer copay programs, foundation grants, and patient assistance programs can reduce costs further for eligible patients

For more on what abiraterone actually costs (including specific retail price ranges from Drugs.com and GoodRx) and how copay assistance can help, visit our abiraterone copay assistance page.

How QuickRx Helps Patients Access Generic Abiraterone

QuickRx Specialty Pharmacy supports prostate cancer patients on generic abiraterone with:

• Free copay assistance consultation and program enrollment
• Insurance benefits verification and prior authorization support
• Coordination with your oncologist’s office
• Nationwide 2-day delivery (licensed in all 50 states)
• Dedicated patient navigators who handle paperwork on your behalf
• Refill management and renewal reminders

To get started, visit our abiraterone copay assistance page or call (917) 830-2525.

Related Reading

• Want a complete overview of how abiraterone works and how to take it? Read our comprehensive Guide to Abiraterone.
• Have specific questions about taking generic abiraterone? See our abiraterone FAQ.
• Worried about side effects? Read our patient guide on Zytiga side effects.

References

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Generic abiraterone acetate approval records. Accessed May 2026.
2. Drugs.com. Generic Zytiga Availability. Available at drugs.com.
3. National Cancer Institute. Abiraterone Acetate Drug Information. Available at cancer.gov.
4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Orange Book: Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations. Available at fda.gov.