oregon-food-allergy-network

Epinephrine Auto-Injector Options

Wed, 19 May 2010 00:04:30 +0100

In the past week I’ve been surprised to learn that there is a surprising number of choices available to the prescribing pharmacist. I’ve been watching a discussion thread on Kids with Food Allergies, and hadn’t heard enough yet (or done enough legwork yet) to pass along any meaningful information. However a recent post on our yahoo forum and FB page prompted me to spend some time researching the issue at hand. I will try to annotate sources as I go so you can read further if desired.

There are currently 4 auto-injectors in the marketplace.

Epi-pen™ is produced by Mylan Industries wholly owned subsidiary Dey Pharma, L.P. Epi-pen™ is available in two dosage strengths, prescribed by body weight. There is no generic Epi-pen™ because it is a trademarked name brand. In Canada it is distributed by King Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dey Pharma

Drugs.com product info on Epi-pen™

Twinject™ is produced by Shionogi Pharma (formerly Sciele). Twinject™ is the only autoinjector with 2 doses of epinephrine available. Twinject™ is available in two dosage strengths, prescribed by body weight. There is no generic Twinject™ because it is a trademarked name brand.

Drugs.com product info on Twinject™

Adrenaclick™ is also produced by Shionogi Pharma’s indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Sciele Pharma, Inc. Adrenaclick™ provides a single dose of epinephrine, and is available in two dosage strengths, prescribed by body weight.

             FDA product insert information for Adrenaclick™
             Shionogi Pharma January press release announcing the Adrenaclick™ product,
             Sciele January news release
             Drugs.com product information on Adrenaclick™

FDA authorized generic Greenstone Epinephrine autoinjector. Shionogi Pharma has given Pfizer’s wholly owned subsidiary Greenstone permission to market the Adrenaclick™ product as an FDA authorized generic. An FDA authorized generic allows both companies to compete, where an FDA approved generic is for a product on which the patent limits have met.* This product is being called “Epinephrine auto-injector” and you may receive this as a generic, depending on your prescription, pharmacy, and insurance plan.

Drugs.com product info
DailyMed (NIH) product info

*My source of information on FDA authorized versus FDA approved generics

The AAAIII put out a statement just last week regarding this varied choices available.

The field of available epinephrine auto-injectors may continue to change. After all this reading and researching, I've realized that I take epi-pen for granted and hadn't considered the impact of the fragility of the manufacturing, marketing, and sales chain on the form in which epinephrine auto-injectors are presented to the consumer.

In addition to auto-injectors, there are also several companies that market pre-filled epinephrine syringes (some considered generics) which used to be the standard before auto-injectors. A few sites I visited suggested that this might be an elegant low-cost alternative to auto-injectors. Please stay informed of your choices and ask questions of your allergist and pharmacist as you fill those prescriptions!

Other resources:
Pharmacist discussion topic on epinephrine auto-injector substitution
Kids with Food Allergies discussion thread on New York Times article referring to Adrenaclick and its authorized generic.
Kids with Food Allergies discussion thread from member who received Greenstone auto-injectors.

Please reply via comment or email with any further information or experience you have to benefit all our members!

As FAAW comes to a close, support the FAAN Walk

Fri, 14 May 2010 06:26:37 +0100

FAAN holds an annual fundraiser to fund its ongoing support, advocacy and grant programs.

August 28, 2010 is the 2nd Annual Portland/Vancouver area "Moving towards a Cure" walk.

Please go to the website, sign up to walk, and share the opportunity to improve your little one's life with those that love and care for your food allergic family member.

There is a team for OFAN, we're not competitive, we just want to see you in August, and it's a starting place. Join our team and create a personal page to invite your family and friends to support you.... Or create your own team.

Kristal has been working very hard to make this walk a phenomenal experience for your family. Please consider committing to join us as Food Allergy Awareness Week come to close.

Videos for Food Allergy Awareness Week

Wed, 12 May 2010 06:38:34 +0100

Links to these videos have been all over the net, but just in case they've missed you. Here are some great ways to share with family, friends, and acquaintances a view into life with food allergies.

From FAAN, Respect Every Bite, 1 minute sound bite by Trace Adkins, Honary National Chair for the 2010 FAAN Walks. Don't forget to vote for Trace in the CMT Music Awards, he had designated FAAN as his beneficiary. \

Food Allergy Initiative (FAI) has 3 videos on YouTube,
Kids Living with Food Allergy, is a 5 minute video of adorable kids speaking about what they are allergic to and their accidental exposures leading the anaphylaxis.
Imagine: Kids and Parents Talk about Living with Food Allergy, is a 6 minute video with some of the same adorable kids and their parents who paint a touching picture of life with food allergies. This is my favorite of their videos for sharing.
Parents Speak About their Children's Food Allergy, this is their newest video and is about 7 minutes long. About 4 minutes into this video are some really touching testimonies to experiences and inner feelings about raising kids with food allergies, have you tissues handy!

Kyle Dine's music is always appropriate for sharing as well. He has written a song specifically for FAAW. Kyle Dine will be playing at the 2010 Seattle Food Allergy Walk.

Coloring Activities for Food Allergy Awareness Week, May 9-15

Thu, 06 May 2010 06:28:50 +0100

Did you know that the State of Oregon has officially recognized Food Allergy Awareness Week ? If you sent a letter to the governor, please pate yourself on the back!

How about entering a coloring contest?

You might even suggest it to your child's teacher as an activity in honor of FAAW.
Both Blue Bear Aware and FAAN are presently running coloring contests, entry deadlines are May 31 and June 11, respectively. Both are open to children 12 and under.

FDA Recall of Zyrtec among others

Thu, 06 May 2010 06:13:30 +0100

As health care professionals, we haven't received any additional information other than what the FDA has posted.

It is unlikely that any serious side effects would occur from ingesting the affected medications, but as with any recalled medications, people are being encouraged to return the affected medications. Lists and lot numbers available on FDA ( www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm210443.htm) and McNeil- (www.mcnealproductrecall.com) websites along with numbers to call with questions. If people have any further questions, before they give children the above affected medications, they should speak with their physician.

The good news is that there are generic versions of Tylenol (acetaminophen), Motrin (ibuprofen), and Zyrtec (cetirizine) that should be available.

FDA Recall of Zyrtec, Tylenol, Benadryl, Motrin (McNeill PPC)

Wed, 05 May 2010 05:26:45 +0100

Please check your medicine cabinets, emergency med bags, and meds stored at school.

McNeill PPC and the FDA have issued a voluntary recall of brand name only Zyrtec, Tylenol, Benadryl, Motrin. The recall is referencing "NDC #s" not individual lot #s and expiry dates. The NDC #s can be found on the upper right of the product label, just above the product name.

The FDA and McNeill PPC are stating that these products "may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified; others may contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain tiny particles".

See the FDA release for specific product NDC #s. (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm210443.htm)

See this FDA release for suggestions of what do once you've purged your medicine cabinet. (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-provides-consumer-advice-following-recall-of-products-for-infants-and-children-92580744.html)

Always check the labels on new pharmaceuticals, inert ingredients may contain allergens.

There is an active thread on this topic at Kids with Food Allergies.

Peanut Controlled Baseball: 4 Seattle Mariners Games in 2010

Wed, 05 May 2010 05:27:05 +0100

Do you like baseball?

Our neighbors to the north, WA-FEAST in particular Michael San Soucie, have developed a great relationship with the Seattle Mariners leading to 4, yes FOUR games at which the Mariners will have a designated peanut-free seating area. This area will be cleaned prior to the game and during the game no peanuts will be served, the nearest concession stand will not be selling peanuts, and there will be posted signage to alert other fans. See the Mariners website for further information.

MedicAlert Jewelry On Sale

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 04:28:30 +0100

Have you been wavering on purchasing a medic alert bracelet?

Just wanted to share that a few colors of the basic logo bracelet and a few of the beaded bracelets are currently on sale through May 15 at MedicAlert.

Wearing the bracelet often sparks conversation (why do you have that?), empowers kids (they can show the bracelet in lieu of talking if they are uncertain), and often emphasizes the seriousness of the condition to other caregivers. All in addition to the main benefit of having that 24 hour medical back-up support just in case.

First Post

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:28:17 +0100

Hello OFAN Members and Visitors, we've just gone live with our website, facebook page, and this blog. I hope this will provide you pertinent information regarding resources, products, and events which you can receive in your preferred format (email, facebook, rss feed) via a single post.

I welcome input from those of you who are web, blog & FB veterans, I certainly could use it!