Tips

• Never leave the pharmacy without checking theexpiration date. You should have, at least,12 mths from time of purchase.Call around to see which pharmacy has the lengthiest expiration date on hand.
  
• If you do not have insurance, keep in mind that locally-owned pharmacies tend to be less expensive for the same drug than Walgreen's.
  
• Epinephrine auto-injectors are on Tier 2 for all insurance companies in Nebraska.  This means there is a co-pay.
  
• Almost all pharmaceutical companies have a patient assistance program which can be found on their website or the drug's website i.e. epipen.com, auvi-q.com, advair.com, etc.
  

NOTE from the american academy of allergy, asthma & immunology:

This article has been reviewed by Thanai Pongdee, MD, FAAAAI

An epinephrine autoinjector is used to treat a severe allergic reaction or to prevent anaphylactic shock caused by stinging insects, foods, latex, medications or other allergens.

If you have a severe allergy and carry epinephrine, it is important to know that each brand functions a little differently. The stress of an anaphylactic reaction is not the time to realize you have a different autoinjector than what was demonstrated to you by your allergist.

There are several readily available brands of epinephrine autoinjectors: EpiPen®, Auvi-Q® and Adrenaclick®. There is also an authorized generic of Adrenaclick® called epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector. As generics are sometimes substituted for brand names, it is possible that a generic autoinjector would be substituted at the pharmacy for the brand your physician prescribed. Although the medication is the same, the method for injecting it is different for each brand. Your physician or his/her staff will provide training on how to use the specific brand prescribed.

The next time you pick up your prescription, be sure to compare the brand you received with the brand you have been trained to use. If the medication appears to be different than what you expected, find out why a substitution was made. Also, be sure to get a demonstration on how to use the product.

Your pharmacist and your doctor’s office want to make sure you know how to use the autoinjector in an emergency, so ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable. If you have additional concerns, contact your allergist for more information.

To the Point
Be sure to discuss your prescription with your allergist and pharmacist so you know exactly which brand of epinephrine autoinjector you are receiving and how to use it.

.

$0 co-pay offer

The approved generic for Adrenaclick® is available as of June, 2013 and may provide a lower-cost option to patients. Commercially insured patients will receive their epinephrine auto-injector at $0 cost. Cash paying patients will receive up to $300 off their out-of-pocket cost (This offer is valid for a maximum savings of $100 per pack (limit of 3 packs).

epinephrine injection, usp

Lineage Therapeutics Inc.

adrenaclick

Amedra Pharmaceuticals LLC.

Auvi-Q

sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC.

$0 co-pay offer

With the savings offer, most insured patients will pay $0 out of pocket for their Auvi-Q prescription. Cash-pay patients can receive up to $100 off per two-pack of Auvi-Q, up to a maximum of three two-packs per prescription. Fill out the form to join the “Support & Savings Program” to access the offer. This offer can be used an unlimited number of times until the coupon offer expires on December 31, 2014.

$0 Co-Pay Offer

Available to both cash-paying and commercially insured patients, the “$0 Co-Pay Offer” is valid for up to three EpiPen 2-Pak® cartons or EpiPen Jr 2-Pak® cartons per prescription, as patients may need to access two EpiPen or EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine) Auto-Injectors in multiple locations. Eligible patients can use the offer with an unlimited number of prescriptions until the coupon offer expires on December 31, 2014.

OTHER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

Mylan Specialty has a patient assistance program available for qualifying patients. Patients can find out if they are eligible for the program by emailing info@rxassist.org or calling our Customer Service Line to speak with a representative at 1-800-395-3376.

Epipen

Mylan Specialty L.P.

Epinephrine auto-injectors are becoming a competitive market.  For over 50 years there was only one epinephrine auto-injector - the EpiPen.  2006 brought the first competitor, Twinject, on to the market and while this device is no longer marketed, several devices have come and gone and come out again.

Currently, as of September 2014, there are four epinephrine auto-injectors on the market.

All brands carry two doses and dosages and come with a trainer upon purchase.  Additional trainers may be obtained by calling or otherwise contacting the company.  Information is found on the corresponding websites

No one should die from an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction.