Can you guess the three things that so many people with or parents of patients with life threatening allergies who carry epinephrine fail at? Two are fairly obvious, the but third isn’t so obvious but is a HUGE reason for consistency in health care. Did you guess? Here are what I believe are the three most nerve-racking failures regarding management of life saving epinephrine (EpiPen®, Auvi-Q® or Adrenaclick®):
Top 3 EpiPen® (Auvi-Q® too) Fails
[unordered_list style=”red-x”]- Failure to carry two doses! Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) conquers with the Center of Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendation for patients with life threatening allergies to carry two doses of epinephrine in the event more epinephrine is needed. Both EpiPen® and Auvi-Q® are offering $0 co-pay programs right now, that are ending on December, 31st, 2013. So…don’t forget to use those $0 co-pay cards and stock up! I will be heading to my pharmacy next week to pick up the next needed set of EpiPens®.
- EpiPen® Zero co-pay program.
- Auvi-Q Zero co-pay program
- Failure to replace expired epinephrine auto-injectors. I confess to picking up my children’s back up EpiPens® at school in June only to realize they have expired in May. EpiPen® and Auvi-Q® both offer services (sign up on their websites) to remind patients of when it is time to refill their prescriptions.
- Failure to remember how to administer their EpiPen® (I’m only referring to EpiPen® since I am addressing a study that was based on the EpiPen®). My doctor suggests we practice with a trainer monthly for a reason. A study conducted last year brought to light that after three months, only 29% of patients remembered how to use the EpiPen® correct. Now, this is seriously dangerous if we can’t remember how to use a life saving device!!!
Show your love. This Holiday season, consider giving the gift of life by asking yourself and your loved ones: if they are carrying two doses, are they expired and ask them to demonstrate how to use their device. You can find videos show how to use either the EpiPen® and Auvi-Q® on their perspective websites.
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!..
Thank you for this reminder!! Although I would always like to carry epis that have not expired, I did ask that question to Dr. Matthew Greenhawt at the University of Michigan Food Allergy Center, and he said that the epis are technically still ok to use for about three months after their expiration date. The medicine may not be as potent, but it still does work, and in the event of an emergency, it is better than NOT using it…
I also wanted to throw out a hi! I noticed that you were on the same call as I on Thursday. This Internet sure does make the world smaller and smaller…
I wanted to add that I am NOT saying to rely on your expired epis. It is obviously very important to keep them up to date. But for anyone reading who finds themselves in need of an epi and you may only have an expired one, use it!! It is better than not using anything.
Remember the young man in Rhode Island last year? His mother did not use the expired EpiPen on his since the 911 call operator said not to and her son died. That is a prime example, of use it if you have no other options, but I agree—DO NOT RELY on an expired EpiPen to have the same potency after the expiration date has passed.
Hi Marla,
Thanks for adding that point. It’s true, I’ll carry expired as extra for about a month or so too. Even if the EpiPen is lacking potency, some is better than none. Hi to you too! It was crazy with my computer and kids last week. How does that happen? The internet really has changed our lives for the better–like in making friends across this big country of ours.
Great reminders!! Now I need to remind myself to fill some Epis before the zero company expires. Do we know anyone that has actually used the AuviQ yet in an emerg and how it worked?
Kelly, Do you need coupons, I have them laid out across my desk today!
Can someone tell me where to dispose of my expired EPI-PENS?
I have 6 that need to be disposed of and I would like to dispose of them properly. Thanks.
Hi Linda,
Your allergist can take them and I sometimes drop ours off at our local fire station. They have the containers for disposals. Good Question!
Most pharmacies will take your expired epi-pens. I hand over mine when I pick the new ones up.
They’ll also provide safe disposal of other expired medications. 🙂
Anne, thank you for this tip. I did not realize that my local pharmacy would take expired Epipens, but that makes perfect sense! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.