What are Serious Allergies?

Serious food allergies means having severe allergic reactions to certain foods, which may include nuts, milk, eggs, soy, and/or other foods. A potentially life-threatening allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. At the first sign of anaphylaxis epinephrine is the recommended first step at treating it, followed by immediate medical attention. Being prepared for anaphylaxis means having access to an epinephrine auto-injector.

What’s A Deductible?

A “deductible” is the money your insurance plan requires you to pay out-of-pocket before it covers all or part of your healthcare services. Deductibles are becoming more common and more expensive. Consumers often spend $1000 out-of-pocket to meet the deductible. Your insurance plan may (or may not) count both physician costs and prescription costs toward your deductible.

Now may be the time to stock up on the epinephrine auto-injectors you need. Be prepared!

• Keep your epinephrine auto-injector with you
  No matter how careful you are, allergic emergencies (Type I, including anaphylaxis) can happen. Use your auto-injector at the first sign of a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction – then call 911.
  .
• It’s smart to store devices in handy places
  You might want to store epinephrine auto-injectors at your office, school, and friends’ and family’s homes – everywhere you frequently go. Do not store them in the car, though, because heat or cold can damage the medicine.
  .
• Shelf life and expiration dates
  The epinephrine auto-injector has an expiration date, so it’s a good idea to check your devices’ expiration dates. Now could be a great time to restock!
  .
• Single-use only
  Most types of epinephrine auto-injectors only dispense one dose of medicine – they’re not reusable. That’s another reason it’s great to have extra supplies on hand. Need instructions on how to use your medicine? Check the medicine’s or manufacturer’s official website for directions.
  .
• New Year’s Resolution
  The New Year’s season is a built-in reminder for optimizing your health… for example, refill your prescription, talk to your doctor, and revisit your allergy-management routines. Now is the perfect time to take care of you!

The end of the year may be a great time to use the insurance benefits you’ve earned throughout the year to stock up on epinephrine auto-injectors. Remember, your health is always of paramount importance! Be prepared.

Sources:

“Epinephrine for First-aid Management of Anaphylaxis,” Sicherer et al, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

“Food Allergy,” American College of Asthma, Allergy, & Immunology (ACAAI)

“Latex Allergy,” American College of Asthma, Allergy, & Immunology (ACAAI)

PP-PAT-EAI-US-0008  12/2017

Below are a few tips and suggestions for making the most of your medical insurance. If you have any questions about health issues, you should always consult with your healthcare provider.

The end of the calendar year is upon us. That means many patients have met their annual out-of-pocket medical insurance deductible, activating their full coverage. But medical insurance limits and deductibles will reset in the new year.

If you or your child requires epinephrine for severe allergies, now may be the perfect time to stock up! If you’ve achieved full coverage, the year’s-end is a great time to take advantage of it. Always review your specific insurance plan and contact your insurance provider with any questions. Also, it’s a great time to check your devices’ expiration dates in case they need a refill.

What are Serious Allergies?

Serious food allergies means having severe allergic reactions to certain foods, which may include nuts, milk, eggs, soy, and/or other foods. A potentially life-threatening allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. At the first sign of anaphylaxis epinephrine is the recommended first step at treating it, followed by immediate medical attention. Being prepared for anaphylaxis means having access to an epinephrine auto-injector.

What’s A Deductible?

A “deductible” is the money your insurance plan requires you to pay out-of-pocket before it covers all or part of your healthcare services. Deductibles are becoming more common and more expensive. Consumers often spend $1000 out-of-pocket to meet the deductible. Your insurance plan may (or may not) count both physician costs and prescription costs toward your deductible.

Now may be the time to stock up on the epinephrine auto-injectors you need. Be prepared!

• Keep your epinephrine auto-injector with you
  No matter how careful you are, allergic emergencies (Type I, including anaphylaxis) can happen. Use your auto-injector at the first sign of a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction – then call 911.
  .
• It’s smart to store devices in handy places
  You might want to store epinephrine auto-injectors at your office, school, and friends’ and family’s homes – everywhere you frequently go. Do not store them in the car, though, because heat or cold can damage the medicine.
  .
• Shelf life and expiration dates
  The epinephrine auto-injector has an expiration date, so it’s a good idea to check your devices’ expiration dates. Now could be a great time to restock!
  .
• Single-use only
  Most types of epinephrine auto-injectors only dispense one dose of medicine – they’re not reusable. That’s another reason it’s great to have extra supplies on hand. Need instructions on how to use your medicine? Check the medicine’s or manufacturer’s official website for directions.
  .
• New Year’s Resolution
  The New Year’s season is a built-in reminder for optimizing your health… for example, refill your prescription, talk to your doctor, and revisit your allergy-management routines. Now is the perfect time to take care of you!

The end of the year may be a great time to use the insurance benefits you’ve earned throughout the year to stock up on epinephrine auto-injectors. Remember, your health is always of paramount importance! Be prepared.

Sources:

“Epinephrine for First-aid Management of Anaphylaxis,” Sicherer et al, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

“Food Allergy,” American College of Asthma, Allergy, & Immunology (ACAAI)

“Latex Allergy,” American College of Asthma, Allergy, & Immunology (ACAAI)

PP-PAT-EAI-US-0008  12/2017

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector is intended for immediate administration as emergency supportive
therapy and is not intended as a substitute for immediate medical care. In conjunction with the administration of
epinephrine, the patient should seek immediate medical or hospital care. More than two sequential doses of
epinephrine should only be administered under direct medical supervision.

Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector should ONLY be injected into the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. Do not
inject intravenously. Do not inject into buttock. Do not inject into fingers, hands or feet. Instruct caregivers to
hold the child’s leg firmly in place and limit movement prior to and during injection to minimize the risk of injection
related injury.

Epinephrine should be administered with caution to patients who have heart disease, including patients with
cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery or organic heart disease, or hypertension. In such patients, or in patients who
are on drugs that may sensitize the heart to arrhythmias, epinephrine may precipitate or aggravate angina pectoris
as well as produce ventricular arrhythmias. Arrhythmias, including fatal ventricular fibrillation, have been reported
in patients with underlying cardiac disease or those receiving certain drugs. Patients who receive epinephrine
while concomitantly taking cardiac glycosides, diuretics or anti-arrhythmics should be observed carefully for the
development of cardiac arrhythmias. Epinephrine should be administered with caution to patients with
hyperthyroidism, diabetes, elderly individuals, and pregnant women. Patients with Parkinson’s disease may notice
a temporary worsening of symptoms.

Rare cases of serious skin and soft tissue infections, including necrotizing fasciitis and myonecrosis caused by
Clostridia, have been reported at the injection site following epinephrine injection for anaphylaxis. Advise patients
to seek medical care if they develop signs or symptoms of infection.