I'm so excited for this new size! I've signed up to be notified when it becomes available. Since DS also carries his spacer/inhaler, having a smaller epi device will make a huge difference in the emergency pack he can wear.
On April 30, 2013, Kids With Food Allergies Foundation (KFA) hosted a free webinar in partnership with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) with guest speakers Charlotte Collins, JD, and Michael Pistiner, MD, MMSc. We thank them for their expertise and for sharing valuable information with our community on the topic of school and state policies for stocking epinephrine in schools for allergic emergencies. RESOURCES FROM VIDEO: AAFA.org/epinephrine : Find out if your state is...
The law (and school epipens) actually applies only to kids who do not have known allergies or their own epipens. I had a lengthy discussion with the Fairfax County School contact for this issue, and while schools now each have 2-10 "Anaphylaxis Response Team" staff memebers (who received in depth training on recognizing the symptoms of anaphylaxis and treatment with epipens, calling 911 etc.), the "health room aide" is part of the County Public Health department and not FCPS, so they are NOT...
This new design will be much easier for men to carry in their pockets. Many men and teens don't want to carry the current epi devices because they're too bulky to fit in their pockets. I hope this new design will increase compliance and save lives. It will also be easier to fit in cute little evening bags, so high school girls will be likely to carry their epis to dances (like prom and homecoming). When I go to military balls, it's hard to find evening bags that can accommodate my epis.
The size of this device will actually create more issues than solve. Its small size will resemble many other small devices or items one may carry in a purse or pocket. (smart phones etc.) When it is a panic situation and you are digging through a purse or pocket for this gadget it will only make the situation worse. Also, it takes a total of 34 seconds to go throught the process of using this gadget. This includes listening to all the prompts. Way to long in my opionion. People dont have...
to KFA mj!! You've brought up some intriguing points! It will be interesting to see how Sanofi will address these issues by the time it becomes available. I have heard that they will be taking their time to do large scale education and marketing before they release the product. I don't think the size will be an issue for me personally, as I have a dedicated bag and compartment in my purse for emergency meds, but I can see how it might be a problem for a few folks. I know that my DH will be...
Interesting points. In terms of locating the device, I would imagine most people would keep them in their med/Epi bags--at least that's what I do with our Epi-Pens--I keep them in a case within my bag so I can access them fast if necessary (and labeled in case someone else has to fish them out). My husband keeps his set in a case in his briefcase. If we get the Auvi-Q, I would just put them in there, and maybe get smaller cases. Is it only able to be used with the audio prompts? I thought...
This is great news! Wish they had this available a few months ago when my toddler had to make use of an epinephrine injection. I feel like the epinephrine injection itself caused nearly as much shock to his system as the allergen, since it was a slightly higher dose then his 30lb pound could handle. We love Auvi-Q injectors and their ease of use. I wish insurance would cover them so we could refill next year beyond the initial affordability program. Thanks for posting! What great news this...
Hugs on the reaction and having to use epinephrine to begin with! I'd not heard that there was a time limit on Auvi-Q's AffordAbility program. I just checked their website, and I must be missing something, because I didn't see it there. How about starting a new topic so you can share a link about that?
@K8sMom2002 , Thank you. My oldest son (6 years) was really sad when we had to use the epinephrine for his little brother and said, "I was hoping we'd never have to use it." Me too, bud, me too. :'( I guess I didn't mean to imply that there was a time limit, but rather a quantity limit on the Auvi-Q affordability program. We have already received our maximum quantity of Auvi-Q injectors. I do not know if that resets annually or not. I suppose it is something to look into. Sorry to have...
Hey, shared information is what helps ALL of us! And I'd never thought of possible quantity or time limits on the program, so it's good to keep that on my radar. Please, please, keep sharing good questions and thoughts like this -- that's what makes our community SO strong. And I think what your oldest son said about his little brother was sad AND sweet. Way to go for him being such a good big brother!
In case this offers any additional information, here's a recent NPR article. How To Save Money On Prescription Drugs, Insured Or Not SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 6:08 AM ET
Anyone else having issues with the generic epi not working? We are fighting for the brand so we know it works well for our daughter. She was in a panic when the generic epi wouldn't work. She is so afraid of them now. How can I get her brand if I have insurance? Thank goodness we were home to grab an epi pen I had in the kitchen drawer!
What do you mean by "not working?" It wouldn't fire? By the way, we just published updates on our blog about the branded one: http://community.kidswithfooda...costs-of-epinephrine
Yes, it would not fire. We tried both pens in the pack and neither would fire. I remembered I had epi pens I refilled in May before insurance made us go generic. I ran and grabbed them. It worked as always. My daughter still has bruises from where we tried to inject the generic pens a week later. I will never trust them again. Stef
Uh, just use a syringe? It's about twenty bucks, medicine included. Seriously, for a family that can't afford food if they purchase an auto-injector, a syringe takes a bit of training and provides the same medicine. Yes, an auto-injector is nice, but not everybody can afford it.
Hi Taric, Welcome to KFA. What food allergies do you manage? A syringe can be an option. However, in an emergency, it can be difficult to draw up the meds quickly. I was just talking re that w an er nurse the other day. But...still better than not having epinephrine for sure.
I have idiopathic anaphylaxis. I'm told it's a form of a mast cell disorder. All it means is that I can become anaphylactic to anything at anytime. Example- I just had knee replacement surgery. I had been taking my pain medicine less than recommended for about two weeks. When I took it the next time I needed it, I went into anaphylaxis. Another one is sometimes I walk out the door and I go into anaphylaxis. I do have known food allergies, but I avoid them. So anytime, anywhere. My kids have...
The end of last week, my doctor talked to the insurance. He got me brand epi pens back. But I am still only allowed a two pack every 23 days as their prescription plan does for all drugs. Errrr! Thank goodness my daughter and I use the same dose in epi's now. Doctor said to fill it every 23 days until I get three packs. Then replace as needed. Stef
That's an issue. She's out until I refill hers. The insurance is more lenient with kids. They know the school requires one with the refill tag on it as does the church, one at home and one on her. I keep her epi that stays home in my towel drawer. So kind of a built in back up. I couldn't believe when I picked up the recent brand refill, it was $600 before insurance. Stef Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone
Hurley, here's an updated blog post about epinephrine auto-injectors ... looks like some of the branded auto-injectors will soon have a generic option . Maybe that will help you?
This issue should not only take in account those who have a low income. The issue is that the cost of the epi is exorbitantly and greedily marked up by Mylan! It should be ashamed! The strain of paying for epi twin packs is there for everyone who needs it, and especially for families who have more than one member with life-threatening allergies. Moderate income families are always disregarded.
PS ...daughter's family insurance carrier wouldn't cover the epis she needed for herself and her son because "it's not preventative"....what? really??? It prevents DEATH!
Im having problems finding an insurance company that will except the epi pens I have a deathly allergy to tomatoes and chocolate and sodium nitrates the Medicare and blue cross I have do not cover the epi pens at all so I'm stuck any advice you guys could give would be an amazing help thank you
Sabine - will the cover a different generic epinephrine autoinjector? You doctor has to specifically write the prescription for the generic ones. Otherwise, the pharmacy has to dispense the brand name.
Sabine, did you ever talk with your doctor and your insurance company to see if generic epinephrine autoinjectors would be covered? There are two versions of generic autoinjectors -- one company's generic version works exactly like their brand name version, from what I understand.
Apparently Express Scripts has decided that both the Mylan generic Epi and the Lineage Therapeutics epinepherine injector are "branded" medication rather than generic. Spoke with multiple customer service folks as well as one of their "pharmacists" and they are telling me no generic epinepherine auto-injectors exist although they are pushing me to the Mylan generic. The insurance coverage is of course significantly higher for generics but only if they treat a generic as a generic. Getting...
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