Allergic reactions are serious and stressful situations that can happen anywhere and at any time. People who have serious allergies are often given a medicine called epinephrine to use during an emergency. When an allergic reaction happens, epinephrine must be injected either by the person having the reaction or someone nearby. Since allergic reactions do not happen very often and are very stressful, it can be difficult to remember the right way to use the emergency medicine (epinephrine).
Auvi-Q is a unique epinephrine product with a voice recording that walks you through how to give the medication during an emergency. It also comes in a flat, rectangular shape so that it is easy to carry and can fit inside of a pocket.
How Does Auvi-Q Work for an Allergic Reaction?
Allergic reactions happen when the body’s immune system overreacts to a specific substance. The substance that causes this reaction is called an allergen. There are many types of allergens. Some of the more common allergens are foods, drugs, pollen, and animals.
In many cases, allergic reactions can be mild. Mild allergic reactions may include watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, and skin reactions (such as a rash or hives). In other cases, allergic reactions can be very serious. Serious allergic reactions, called anaphylaxis, can be life-threatening. These reactions can include the following symptoms:
- A sense that something bad is about to happen
- Dizziness or fainting
- Itchy skin reactions, such as a rash or hives
- Stomach pain, nausea, and/or vomiting
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, which can make it difficult to breathe
- Very low blood pressure
The best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid the allergen. If you have a drug allergy, you should make sure you are familiar with all of the names for that drug and review drug labels before use. If you have a food allergy, you should review all ingredients on food labels. When eating in a restaurant, you should ask how the food is prepared and whether it may have been exposed to any allergens.
If a serious allergic reaction does happen, it is important to have an emergency medicine with you at all times. Auvi-Q contains epinephrine, which acts on certain receptors in the body called alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors. By acting on these receptors, it causes the blood vessels to narrow, which increases blood pressure, opens the airways, and reduces swelling. It also reduces the amount of histamine released by the body, which is the chemical that causes itchy skin reactions.
You should still seek medical help right away after using Auvi-Q by calling 911 or going to a hospital. Although Auvi-Q should work very quickly, it is not always possible to tell right away whether it is working. Allergic reactions may still get worse or need more treatment.
How Do I Use Auvi-Q During an Emergency?
Auvi-Q is an emergency medicine that should be given only during an allergic reaction. In some cases, the person having the reaction can give themselves a shot. In other cases, someone nearby may need to give the shot. It is important to use it as soon as possible during an allergic reaction.
To use it, remove it from its outer case. This will activate the recorded voice instructions that will walk you through how to use the product. The recorded instructions will guide you through three steps:
- Remove the red safety guard.
- Place the black end of the device against the front outer thigh and push down firmly.
- Once you hear a click and hiss sound, hold the device in place for 2 full seconds.
At the end of the 2 seconds, the epinephrine dose has been injected. The device will now instruct you to seek medical help right away. It will also let you know that the device has been used and should not be used again. If you are hearing-impaired, the instructions that are read out loud by the device can also be found in writing on the device.
Auvi-Q should only be injected into the middle of the outer thigh, through clothing if needed. It can cause serious side effects if it is injected anywhere else on the body. If it is accidentally injected into the hands or fingers while you try to use it, get medical help right away.
It is important for you to use it properly so that you get the full dose as quickly as possible. Your device should come with “Instructions for Use,” which explains how to use Auvi-Q during an emergency. Ask your pharmacist or other health care provider if you are unsure how to use it.
Do not throw the needle away in the trash. It should be disposed of in a special container called a sharps container.
Since an allergic reaction can happen anywhere, at any time, you should have Auvi-Q with you at all times. Make sure that family, friends, caretakers, teachers, co-workers, or anyone else who may be able to help during an emergency knows where it is stored and how to use it.
Auvi-Q comes in three doses, each of which comes in a unique color.
- Epinephrine 0.1 milligram (the lowest dose) is meant to be used in infants and toddlers. The label on this product is white and purple.
- Epinephrine 0.15 milligram (the middle dose) is meant to be used in children that weigh 33-66 pounds. The label on this product is blue.
- Epinephrine 0.3 milligram (the highest dose) is meant to be used in people (including adults) who weigh at least 66 pounds. The label on this product is orange.
If you would like to practice using Auvi-Q before an emergency happens, there is a trainer version available. The trainer does not include a needle or any medicine, so it is safe to use as a practice device. But it is important not to confuse the trainer with real medicine during an emergency. The real medicine has a colored label (purple, blue, or orange). The trainer comes in a gray outer case that says TRAINER on the top and the front.
It is important to make sure that your Auvi-Q is still in good, usable condition. To do this, you should inspect the product every few months by removing it from its outer case. There is a small window that allows you to see the solution inside. That solution should be clear and colorless. If it is colored, cloudy, or contains small particles, it is no longer usable, and you should order a replacement. When you are inspecting the solution, you should also check the expiration date. This way, you can order a replacement before it expires. Make sure to put Auvi-Q back into its outer case after inspecting it.
How Was It Studied for Treating Allergic Reactions?
It is already well understood that epinephrine helps to treat serious allergic reactions. Since Auvi-Q contains epinephrine, there were no clinical studies done to confirm that it works for serious allergic reactions. Instead, clinical studies were done to see whether people were able to use it correctly during a simulated (fake) emergency.
One study compared Auvi-Q with another epinephrine product called EpiPen. EpiPen comes in a pen-shaped container and is also meant to be used during emergencies. Unlike Auvi-Q, it does not have a voice recording that walks a person through the process of injecting epinephrine. Instead, there are written instructions on the EpiPen container.
Each person in the study used both Auvi-Q and EpiPen during two simulated emergencies. None of these people had ever used an emergency epinephrine product before. All of the people in the study were over 18 years old, and about half were female.
To confirm whether people were able to use Auvi-Q and EpiPen correctly during an emergency, the study looked at whether all of the steps in the process were followed and how quickly the dose was given. It also looked at whether people made any accidental shots while using these products. At the end of the study, people were asked whether they preferred Auvi-Q or EpiPen.
What Were the Results?
Were all instructions followed correctly? Most people (85%) who used Auvi-Q during the study were able to follow all four steps in the process correctly. Only a small number of people (20%) who used EpiPen during the study correctly followed all four steps in the process.
How quickly was the dose given? In an emergency, epinephrine should be injected as quickly as possible. Most people took less than a minute to inject the dose, regardless of whether they were using Auvi-Q or EpiPen.
Were there any accidental injections? Auvi-Q and EpiPen contain a needle. In some cases, it is possible for the person who is giving the shot to accidentally inject themselves in the fingers or hand instead. During this study, none of the people using Auvi-Q (0%) accidentally injected themselves. But a small number of people using EpiPen (15%) accidentally injected themselves in the fingers or hand.
Which product did people prefer? After completing the study, people were asked which product they would prefer to use during an emergency. Almost every person in the study (92%) said that they would prefer to use Auvi-Q.
What Are Possible Side Effects, and How Can I Prevent Them?
Some possible side effects are similar to the symptoms of an allergic reaction. It may not be possible to tell whether these symptoms are caused by Auvi-Q or the allergic reaction.
Even if you have used Auvi-Q before and had side effects, you should still use it during an allergic reaction. It is important to use it as quickly as possible.
Side effects may include:
- Anxiety
- Breathing problems
- Dizziness
- A fast heartbeat
- Headache
- Loss of skin color (paleness)
- Nausea
- Restlessness
- Sweating
- Vomiting
These are not all of the possible side effects. Talk with your health care provider if you are having symptoms that bother you. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
Are There Any Drug Interactions?
Several medicines may affect the way that Auvi-Q works. But no matter what medicines you take, you should still use Auvi-Q during a serious allergic reaction.
How Can I Get Auvi-Q?
You will need a prescription from a health care provider. Your primary care provider or specialist may prescribe Auvi-Q. Your health care provider can send your prescription to ASPN Pharmacies, which will arrange delivery of your prescription.
It is also available to certain facilities and public venues in states where this is allowed and/or required. You can find out more at https://www.auvi-q.com/public-access/how-to-order-auvi-q.
There is a Support Copay Program available from the drugmaker that may allow you to pay as little as $35 for your prescription. Whether you are eligible depends on whether you have prescription insurance, and what type of insurance you have. You can find out more at https://www.auvi-q.com/get-auvi-q.
Through the Kaleo patient assistance program, those without insurance or with financial difficulties may be able to get it at no cost.
