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 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.

Below are a few New Year’s tips and suggestions for people with serious food allergies. If you have any questions, you should always consult with your healthcare provider.

New Year’s is here, and it’s time for a fresh start! New Year’s is a time of festivity and renewal. When enjoying New Year’s, most people want to celebrate and have fun.

But if you have serious food allergies, it’s important to be careful about what you eat and to be prepared. ALWAYS bring epinephrine auto-injectors wherever you go – simply because life isn’t always predictable, and even with the best planning, an allergic reaction might occur. Use your epinephrine auto-injector at the first sign of a severe allergic reaction (Type I, including anaphylaxis), then call 911.

Check food labels when possible, ask about ingredients, and bring your own food to parties. If you’re eating at a restaurant, check the menu in advance, make sure the food staff knows about your allergies, and is prepared to handle them. In fact, you might want to research the restaurant online ahead of time to check how others rate them on their food allergy-savvy.

The bottom line for people with serious food allergies requiring epinephrine auto-injection: At New Year’s always be prepared. Checking labels and asking about ingredients before you eat is always a good idea… Make sure restaurants are prepared to handle your allergies… Many people make resolutions about improving their health… And always carry your epinephrine auto-injector. Remember, no matter how you celebrate New Year, be prepared. Happy New Year!

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)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Anaphylaxis can be life threatening, can happen within minutes, and can be caused by stinging and biting insects, allergy injections, foods, medicines, exercise, or unknown causes. Always carry your epinephrine injection with you because you may not know when anaphylaxis may happen.

When you have an allergic emergency (anaphylaxis)

• Use epinephrine injection right away.
• Get emergency medical help right away. You may need further medical attention. You may need to use a second epinephrine injection if symptoms continue or recur. Only a healthcare provider should give additional doses of epinephrine if you need more than 2 injections for a single anaphylaxis episode.

Epinephrine injection should only be injected into the middle of your outer thigh (upper leg). Do not inject the epinephrine injection into your: veins, buttocks, fingers, toes, hands, or feet. If you accidentally inject epinephrine injection into any other part of your body, go to the nearest emergency room right away. Tell the healthcare provider where on your body you received the accidental injection.

Rarely, people who have used epinephrine injection may develop infections at the injection site within a few days of an injection. Some of these infections can be serious. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following at an injection site: redness that does not go away, swelling, tenderness, or the area feels warm to the touch.

Cuts on the skin, bent needles, and needles that remain in the skin after the injection, have happened in young children who do not cooperate and kick or move during an injection. If you inject a young child with epinephrine injection, hold their leg firmly in place before and during the injection to prevent injuries. Ask your healthcare provider to show you how to properly hold the leg of a young child during injection.

If you have certain medical conditions, or take certain medicines, your condition may get worse or you may have longer lasting side effects when you use epinephrine injection. Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions.

Common side effects of epinephrine injection include: faster, irregular or “pounding” heartbeat; sweating; headache; weakness; shakiness; paleness; feelings of over excitement, nervousness or anxiety; dizziness; nausea and vomiting; and breathing problems. These side effects may go away with rest.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of epinephrine injection. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

APPROVED USE

Epinephrine injection is a disposable, prefilled automatic injection device (auto-injector) used to treat life-threatening, allergic emergencies including anaphylaxis in people who are at risk for or have a history of serious allergic emergencies. Each device contains a single dose of epinephrine.

Epinephrine injection is for immediate self (or caregiver) administration and does not take the place of emergency medical care. You should get emergency help right away after using epinephrine injection.

The epinephrine injection 0.3 mg is for patients who weigh 66 pounds or more (30 kilograms or more). The epinephrine injection 0.15 mg is for patients who weigh about 33 to 66 pounds (15 to 30 kilograms). It is not known if epinephrine injection is safe and effective in children who weigh less than 33 pounds (15 kilograms).

Please read the Patient Information and Instructions for Use in the accompanying Full Prescribing Information.