What to Do If You Can’t Afford Epinephrine Auto-Injectors

The manufacturers of epinephrine devices have extended their U.S. savings programs through 2019.

Epinephrine is the only treatment for a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis
(anna-fih-LACK-sis). It is only available through a prescription by your doctor. Each prescription comes with two auto-injectors in a two-pack.

People with food allergies should have two epinephrine devices available to them at all times. For children, this might mean needing more than one two-pack. For example, your child may need to keep two devices at school and two at after-school care. Another set of two typically stays at home. For adults, two epinephrine devices may be enough.

Here are the updated savings offers for epinephrine auto-injectors and pre-filled syringes, as well as other ideas to try to save money on drug costs this year. Your final co-pay, if any, may vary depending on your insurance plan and the deductibles for your family. Discuss with your doctor which epinephrine device is the right one for your family.

Savings Programs for Epinephrine Devices

• AUVI-Q^® – AUVI-Q is available for $0 out of pocket for all commercially insured patients, including those with high-deductible plans, who acquire AUVI-Q through the direct delivery service. AUVI-Q is available free of charge to U.S. residents with a household income of less than $100,000 who do not have government or commercial prescription drug coverage. Find the terms and conditions and form to download on Kaléo's Cares Patient Assistance Program page.
  
  
• EpiPen 2-Pak^® – Use the Mylan Specialty My EpiPen Savings Card^® to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, up to a maximum of $300 per EpiPen 2-Pak prescription. The card remains valid for up to six two-packs per year. The card is available at epipen.com/co-pay.* Mylan also has a Patient Assistance Program to help low income families. Or call Mylan Customer Relations at 1-800-395-3376 to speak with a representative.
  
  
• Authorized Generic for EpiPen^® (epinephrine injection, USP) Auto-Injector - Visit MyGenericEAI Savings Card website for a $25 savings card. It can be used for up to three two-packs.* Mylan also has a Patient Assistance Program to help low income families. Or call Mylan Customer Relations at 1-800-395-3376 to speak with a representative.
  
  Note: Both the Mylan and MyGenericEAI sites state the savings cards expire Dec. 31, 2018. But according to a Mylan representative, you can still download and use the savings cards. If your pharmacy does not accept the cards, your pharmacist can call Mylan to confirm at 800-657-7613 (8 am-8 pm EST, Monday-Friday).
  
  
• Generic Epinephrine Auto-Injector – Lineage Therapeutics Inc.’s offers a “$25 Off Savings Card” that can reduce the amount of your out-of-pocket expense up to $25 per Impax Laboratories generic epinephrine auto-injector two-pack. Learn more about the Impax Laboratories’ FDA-approved epinephrine Injection, USP Auto-Injector and the terms and conditions of their savings card.
  
  CVS Health is selling these generic epinephrine auto-injectors at all CVS Pharmacy locations at a cash price of $109.99 for a two-pack.
  
  Teva Pharmaceutical Industries offers a generic version epinephrine auto-injector in limited supply in the U.S. It is available in 0.3 mg for $300 per two-pack. It will be released in larger quantities in the U.S., along with a 0.15 mg version, in 2019. Teva offers a savings card for up to $30 off a two-pack with commercial insurance. 
  
  
• SYMJEPI™ pre-filled epinephrine syringe – SYMJEPI™ from Sandoz (a Novartis division) is a portable syringe pre-filled with epinephrine. It comes in a two-pack and is available in 0.15 mg and 0.3 mg. With insurance, the SYMJEPI Savings Program covers up to $300 per prescription, up to $1,000 per year. Eligible patients may pay as little as $0. People without insurance coverage receive $100 off each prescription.

Other Possible Ways to Save Money

• Change Insurance Plans – If you are privately insured through work, see if you can shop around during open enrollment. If your family’s income is below a certain level, you might be offered Medicaid and/or your children might qualify under The Children's Health Insurance Program. This depends on your state. Visit Healthcare.gov, or your state’s health insurance site.
  
  
• Switch to the “Preferred” Device for Your Plan – If you have prescription benefits, you may save on copays by agreeing to use the epinephrine device that is on the insurance “preferred” list.
  
  
• Use Mail Order – If you have prescription benefits, look into your plan’s mail order pharmacy options. This may give you a lower price or provide more two-packs of medication for the same price. Many mail order prescription plans provide patients with a three month’s supply of medication for the cost of two month’s copay.
  
  
• Talk to Your Doctor – If you have insurance, talk to your doctor. Sometimes they can write the prescription so that you can get more sets of medicine for one copay. Typically, a two-pack of epinephrine auto-injectors is considered a 30-day supply under your prescription plan. A physician might ask for six auto-injectors (three two-packs) to be filled at once. This could then be filled through the mail order pharmacy, as described above.
  
  
• Shop Around – Call around to different pharmacies. Prices can vary, especially between large chain pharmacies and smaller independent pharmacies. Be aware that the pharmacies at club stores such as Costco and Sam’s are generally available to non-members too.
  
  
• Check With the Local Children’s Hospital – This option may work if your child sees doctors at a major children’s hospital. Ask if they have any grants or patient assistance programs that can help pay for your child’s prescription.
  
  
• Talk to Your Employer – If you have medical insurance through an employer, contact their human resources department. Explain that your insurance is not covering a life-saving medication for you or your child. Sometimes, if you have a generous employer, they will try to help you.
  
  

Originally published January, 2015. Updated January 2016 , August 2016, December 2016, January 2017, February 2017, January 2018, December 2018, May 2019 and August 2019.