I hope you have heard about the Auvi-Q® recall by now. ALL Auvi-Q®s are being recalled. It is extremely important and key that if you are an Auvi-Q® toting family that you visit the Sanofi®, maker of the Auvi-Q®, website immediately to learn current information. It has been over six hours since I spoke to Sanofi, after they started reaching out to the food allergy community to alert them of the situation and I am already seeing confusing information on the internet.
Update 10/29/15: an additional phone line has been added to answer questions: 877-319-8963. The recall includes ALL Auvi-Qs.
Watch video from Sanofi Chief Medical Director regarding what actions to take: Message from Dr. Paul Chew
Key steps to consider regarding the Auvi-Q® Recall:
- Immediately replace your Auvi-Q® with an alternative epinephrine auto-injector, such as EpiPen®, Adrenaclick® or the Adrenaclick Generic. Ask your physician to write, fax or make contact with your pharmacy with the prescription for the new device ASAP.
- Visit the Auvi-Q® website. THIS IS YOUR INFORMATION CENTER for vetted data. Sanofi shared that they will keep their website updated with new information as it comes available.
- Questions? At the bottom fo the press release are a few Q & A’s that you might find helpful regarding the current device in your hand, reimburse for the purchase of an alternative device, etc. We are all encouraged to call the 800 number on the press release with ANY questions.
- The most important step is to ensure you are carrying one of the several epinephrine auto-injectors right away to stay protected.
- To learn more about what took place..visit the Auvi-Q® website.
- When a critical life-saving device recalled, it is incredibly unnerving and we turn to social media to learn more. It is critical that we keep our conversations vetted and remind each other to go to the source for information, which is Sanofi and the Auvi-Q website.
I panicked flat out when I heard about the recall and was at the dentist’s office. I could not rush home to post, but I did my best on social media to ask people to start spreading the word. Then I flew into my full panic when I realized that in less than 24 hours my son and I were boarding a plane to look at colleges–carrying only Auvi-Q®. You should have seen how fast I called the pharmacy, my doctor and then zoomed home to find a hard copy of a prescription for EpiPen®. I needed four EpiPen® for us to take our trip on Thursday morning.
I had enormous gratitude that I heard the announcement during business hours so I could contact the physician, etc. I doubt many of my East Coast friends enjoyed the same benefit. I’m happy to announce that I have one twin pack in my hot hands tonight and I pick up the other one tomorrow morning on the way to the airport.
One more time: please use social media to vent, sort out your thoughts, but go to the official Auvi-Q® website for current information regarding actions to take and details about the recall. When it doubt, call the 800 number.
Be safe and thank you Sanofi for reaching out and asking us all to support each other by spreading the word. It was clear my Sanofi contact was very concerned about the safety of the public. I think it is safe to say she is having a terrible week and I am wishing better days ahead.
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
Thanks for posting so quickly. Yes, there are many conflicting reports for sure- especially given this is North American wide and what happens in Canada can be far different from what happens in the U.S. For example, some of my Canadian friends were able to walk right into the pharmacy and switch out their Allerjects free of charge with an EpiPen, no prescription required, while in the U.S. I have the feeling I will have to get a new prescription (to be tested first thing tomorrow!) However it plays out, I hope Auvi-Q is back on the market again soon!
Caroline, as always thank you for being on top of this! I’ve received many phone calls from clients and food allergy individuals in my community wanting to know answers. Thanks for your “Quick on theDdraw McGraw” fingers for getting the word out so that I could communicate with confidence!
Safe travels scouting colleges!
xo,
Kristin
Kristin, I wished I had posted in the afternoon when I spoke to Sanofi, but to be honest, I was paying bills, trying to get Cyrus’ Epi and doing school pick ups. It was insane!
I worry for people concerned about how to pay, etc. Hence why directing them to Sanofi is the best! Hoping everyone gets their injectors ASAP. I’ve contacted my state’s Dept of Education, asking them to share with all the school nurses.
Aren’t you glad you supported the Auvi-Q over the Epipen?
I am very proud of supporting all epinephrine auto-injector choices to meet the varying needs of our community. I am also grateful that Sanofi sounded the alarm loud and working to ensure we all safe.