Epipen or Auvi-Q?

Which epinephrine auto injector is better?

Many of us have been looking forward to getting the new smaller epinephrine auto injector talking device and now that it became available, are we ready to let go of the larger but so familiar Epipens inside their tubes? 

What really matters is for parents to ensure that their children always carry the Epipen’s on them.

What if you can't decide which auto injector to carry?  If you have been carrying the epi’s inside a carrier that attaches to your clothing, or inside the pockets of your cargo pants, then you have nothing to worry about. Actually, you can have both sets and alternate carrying them as you wish. 

The hope most parents and those supporting the self carry epinephrine policies, is that the new smaller devises help increase the number of overall individual with anaphylaxis allergies carrying epinephrine auto injectors on them.

There are two great companies making available two great epinephrine auto injectors. The Epipen and Auvi-Q are basically the same product. Medication is exactly the same just a different auto injection mechanism. Choose the one you feel more comfortable with, and self carry them at all times.

Anaphylaxis allergic reactions don't discriminate. They can happen anytime anywhere and 911 can't get to you fast enough.  There are various epicarriers to choose from. Make sure it attaches to your body or your clothing.

The waistbuddy case and the legbuddy leg holster holds two Epipens or two Auvi-Q.

No more excuses!
GO FOR IT! Carry your epi’s with style.

where to find auviq carriers

Auvi-Q Allerject recall by Sanofi US helps get Epipen to replace recalled products.

Sanofi US recalls all Auvi-Q and Allerject devises. Will let you know as soon as they get back in the market. We hope to see them back soon!

For additional information please visit www.auviq.com

I have asthma and use an inhaler now doctor said I have peanut allergy. Is it true that inhalers have peanut protein?

         

Articles about asthma inhalers containing peanuts continue to worry #food allergic individuals and especially parents of small children with severe #anaphylaxis #food allergies. Few years ago the concern was that inhalers contained soy, then peanuts. Were peanuts part of the inactive ingredients in albuterol inhalers or was it all a confusion? There was never a clear answer.

Throughout the years we have been told that asthma pumps do not contain peanuts, but then many allergists started recommending to administer the albuterol with a nebulizer just to be “on the safe side”. Safe for many means to stay away from albuterol and all asthma pumps and have opted for carrying a battery operated portable nebulizer.

What about milk? Like many moms, I never stop asking doctors and pharmacists about asthma and allergy medications inactive ingredients, and calling pharmaceutical companies wondering if they might contain milk. After two years of trying to figure out what was causing these horrible huge skin hives, and imputing in an Excel Sheet Document everything eaten or touched, I was convinced that Singular had some milk protein ingredient. I still can’t assure you if it does, but 48 hours after stopping the medication the hives disappeared forever.

Who can you trust? Who do you ask? If you or someone you care for has #food allergies, ask your doctor, ask the pharmacist, call the manufacturers and always stay vigilant. Unfortunately, medicines including those recommended for allergies could contain food allergen ingredients. Never stop asking, nor researching the ingredients of your medications since these could change especially if they are sold over the counter.

What causes #Food allergies continues to be an unsolved puzzle. What can trigger an allergic reaction could be millions of products. Accidents due to accidental exposure and ingestion of food allergens always happen when you least expect it.

Having immediate access to your #Epipen’s or #Auvi-Q’s is the best thing you can do to help stop anaphylaxis. Please remember to always self carry #epinephrine auto injectors on you. Not inside a backpack or a bag, but inside a piece of garment that you can wear all day long.

Stay safe. Carry your epi’s inside a carrier that you know you will wear. Today there are epinephrine carriers like the undergarment #WaistPal_#Epibelt and the #LegBuddy pouch for AuviQ’s.

Check the epineprhine carriers at epicarriers.com and omaxcare.com

UPDATE: In late October 2015,  Sanofi US recalls all Auvi-Q and Allerject devises. Will let you know as soon as they get back in the market. We hope to see them back soon

FoodAllergiesHub.com: Are parents buying Epipen carriers that could hurt...

FoodAllergiesHub.com: Are parents buying Epipen carriers that could hurt...: Finding and choosing an Epipen carrier that kids will be willing to use can be more than challenging. The WaistPal is by far the best for ki...

Who invented the new Auvi-Q epinephrine talking devise?

UPDATE: In late October 2015,  Sanofi US recalls all Auvi-Q and Allerject devises. Will let you know as soon as they get back in the market. We hope to see them back soon.

Eric and Evan Edward at age 3

Twin brothers Eric and Evan Edwards grew up with severe food allergies and having to self carry Epipen's at all times motivated them to create the Auvi-Q. rectangular devise. The Epipen and Auvi-Q contain the same drug epinephrine, which can help stop a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis from becoming fatal.


The brothers had the idea of creating a smaller and easier to carry epinephrine auto injector devise and they geared their studies in fields that would help them reach their goal. Evan chose engineering, studying at the University of Virginia. Eric pursued a medical path, eventually earning a doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University. 

One of the courses Evan chose was an invention and design class taught by Larry G. Richards, an engineering professor at the University of Virginia, where students were encouraged to share their ideas with one another. Working with Mr. Richards and another professor he kept working on his idea of creating a rectangular devise and was awarded a college inventors grant that provided the initial start-up financing that help start the project. After college, the brothers founded a company, Intelliject, to bring their idea to market
with the investments from family and friends.

The product evolved as the years passed, retaining its rectangular profile but integrating other innovative features along the way. Eric had the idea of adding voice instructions to help others use the device in situations where they might be too panicked to read written instructions. A retractable needle was also added later, with the thought that patients would be more comfortable if they didn’t have to see it.  

Eric, left, and Evan Edwards

In 2009, Intelliject licensed the product to Sanofi for an initial payment of $25 million and up to $205 million in future milestone payments and royalties. The Food and Drug Administration approved the Auvi-Q in summer 2012.

The brothers idea resulted in the invention of a slim device shaped like a smartphone with automated voice instructions that became available for consumers to buy in the US in January 2013. 

 The launch of Auvi-Q marked the culmination of an amazing quest the Edwards brothers began 15 years ago. Their efforts and hard work resulted in the creation, development, and distribution of an epinephrine auto injector devise that will help save the life of many who suffer from anaphylaxis allergies, and for which food allergic individuals and their families will always be grateful for.

Auvi-Q epinephrine auto-injector talking devise now available in the US.

Sanofi  announced today that Auvi-Q™ (epinephrine injection, USP) is now available in U.S. retail pharmacies nationwide with a prescription from a healthcare provider.

Auvi-Q is the first-and-only epinephrine auto-injector with audio and visual cues for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions in people who are at risk for or have a history of anaphylaxis. The size and shape of a credit card and the thickness of a smart phone, Auvi-Q is a breakthrough in epinephrine auto-injector device design that talks patients and caregivers step-by-step through the injection process.

"Patient feedback was a critical component to the development process for Auvi-Q," said Anne Whitaker, President, North America Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi. "The availability of Auvi-Q represents an important step forward in our continued innovation to meet the needs of people at risk for anaphylaxis and their caregivers." 

Up to six million Americans may be at risk for anaphylaxis, although the precise incidence is unknown and likely under-reported. While guidelines emphasize the importance of the life-saving role of epinephrine, two large surveys  show that two-thirds of patients and caregivers do not carry their epinephrine auto-injectors as recommended, and nearly half worry that others will not know how to use their or their child's epinephrine auto-injector correctly during an emergency.

Multiple studies have found an association between delay in epinephrine administration and death from anaphylaxis.

Life-threatening allergic reactions may occur as a result of exposure to allergens including foods such as peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, dairy, eggs, soy and wheat; insect stings; latex and medication, among other allergens and causes.

About Auvi-Q
Auvi-Q provides users with audible and visual cues, including a five-second injection countdown and an alert light to signal when the injection is complete. Auvi-Q also features an automatic retractable needle mechanism to help prevent accidental needle sticks.
Available in two different dosages, Auvi-Q 0.3mg delivers 0.3mg epinephrine injection and is intended for patients who weigh 66 pounds or more. Auvi-Q 0.15mg delivers 0.15mg epinephrine injection and is intended for patients who weigh 33 – 66 pounds. Auvi-Q has not been studied in patients weighing less than 33 pounds. Each Auvi-Q pack contains two devices - containing one dose of epinephrine each - and a non-active training device. Auvi-Q received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in August 2012.
Sanofi US licensed the North America commercialization rights to Auvi-Q from Intelliject, Inc., which has retained commercialization rights for the rest of the world. Eric and Evan Edwards, twin brothers who suffer from life-threatening allergies, and co-founders of Intelliject, Inc., developed Auvi-Q with a team of world class engineers and scientists. The development process incorporated real-world experiences and feedback from patients and caregivers.
Auvi-Q has been named an International CES Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree.

Indication
Auvi-Q (epinephrine injection, USP) is used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) in people who are at risk for or have a history of these reactions.

Important Safety Information
Auvi-Q is for immediate self (or caregiver) administration and does not take the place of emergency medical care. Seek immediate medical treatment after use. Each Auvi-Q contains a single dose of epinephrine.

Auvi-Q should only be injected into your outer thigh. DO NOT INJECT INTO BUTTOCK OR INTRAVENOUSLY. If you accidentally inject Auvi-Q into any other part of your body, seek immediate medical treatment. Epinephrine should be used with caution if you have heart disease or are taking certain medicines that can cause heart-related (cardiac) symptoms.

If you take certain medicines, you may develop serious life-threatening side effects from epinephrine. Be sure to tell your doctor all the medicines you take, especially medicines for asthma. Side effects may be increased in patients with certain medical conditions, or who take certain medicines. These include asthma, allergies, depression, thyroid disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
The most common side effects may include increase in heart rate, stronger or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, paleness, dizziness, weakness or shakiness, headache, apprehension, nervousness, or anxiety. These side effects go away quickly, especially if you rest.
Talk to your healthcare professional to see if Auvi-Q is right for you.

About Anaphylaxis
The signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis can vary from person to person and from one episode to the next. Some people may have hives/itching, facial or tongue swelling, which makes it difficult to breathe or swallow, while others may experience nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may begin within seconds, minutes or hours after exposure to the allergen. The best prevention method for anaphylaxis is avoidance of the specific allergen(s).
When a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction occurs, epinephrine should be administered immediately and patients and caregivers should seek immediate medical attention. Patients and caregivers should always carry and know how to use an epinephrine auto-injector to treat emergency allergic reactions. Without treatment, anaphylaxis can result in death within a matter of minutes.

About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, rare diseases, consumer healthcare, emerging markets and animal health. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
Sanofi is the holding company of a consolidated group of subsidiaries and operates in the United States as Sanofi US, also referred to as Sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. For more information on Sanofi US, please visit Sanofi or call 1-800-981-2491.

UPDATE: In late October 2015,  Sanofi US recalls all Auvi-Q and Allerject devises. Will let you know as soon as they get back in the market. We hope to see them back soon

by: Marlena Delgado Coen