Ask your doctor about these important topics on life-threatening allergies

(BPT) – The start of a new school year can be fraught with anxiety for children and parents alike. New school, new friends, new dynamics. And for children living with life-threatening allergies, that anxiety can be even more pointed as they – and their parents – consider and prepare for how to deal with a potential life-threatening allergy incident in the school environment.

Like all children heading back to school, children with life-threatening allergies should have a back to school physical. For these children, these appointments provide an opportunity for students and parents to ask questions of their doctor about life-threatening allergies and back to school readiness.

Ask about options

People with life-threatening allergies have more options than ever before when it comes to the epinephrine injectors they need. While you’re at the doctor’s office, make sure to ask about all the options currently available, including AUVI-Q(R) (epinephrine injection, USP), an epinephrine auto-injector that’s the size of a credit card and the thickness of a cell phone – plus it fits into most pockets and has voice instructions on how to use the device, and reminds the user to seek immediate medical attention after use.

Ask about access

Finding the right epinephrine auto-injector for your child is only half of the equation. You should also ask your doctor about access options for your prescribed epinephrine auto-injector. Many pharmaceutical companies offer patient access plans that make obtaining epinephrine auto-injectors easy and affordable. For example, through the AUVI-Q AffordAbility(TM) program, anyone who is commercially insured, including those with high-deductible plans, can obtain AUVI-Q at $ 0 out-of-pocket through the Direct Delivery Service. For more information about how to access AUVI-Q, visit www.auviq.com/affordability.

Ask about developing an anaphylaxis emergency plan

An anaphylaxis emergency is scary for everyone involved. Be sure to develop an anaphylaxis emergency plan with your doctor and child, so that everyone involved in your child’s care during the school day understands what happens when/if an emergency arises. It’s important that children who experience life-threatening allergic emergencies seek immediate medical professional help.

Ask how to educate teachers and faculty

If you’re new to parenting a child with life-threatening allergies – or even if you’re a life-threatening allergy parent veteran – it’s important to educate all teachers, faculty and others who may be responsible for your child throughout the school day. This means that all individuals involved should understand your child’s anaphylaxis emergency plan, including what to do in an emergency, when and how to use their epinephrine auto-injector, as well as what to do after using an epinephrine auto-injector. Additionally, you can provide school faculty with a photo of your child, along with information they may need in an emergency, and instructions on how to administer epinephrine.

At the end of the day, every child with life-threatening allergies should understand what their allergens are, and try to avoid them as best as possible. It is important to remain educated and prepared at all times, but that doesn’t mean they should miss out on fun school activities or outings. To learn more about life-threatening allergies, visit www.auvi-q.com/resources. Click for AUVI-Q’s Prescribing Information and Patient Information.

About AUVI-Q(R) (epinephrine injection, USP)

AUVI-Q is a prescription medicine used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in people who are at risk for or have a history of serious allergic reactions.

AUVI-Q is for immediate self (or caregiver) administration and does not take the place of emergency medical care. Seek immediate medical treatment after use. AUVI-Q should only be injected into your outer thigh. If you accidentally inject AUVI-Q into any other part of your body, seek immediate medical treatment. If you inject a young child with AUVI-Q, hold their leg firmly in place during the injection.

Rarely, patients may develop serious infections at the injection site within a few days. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following injection site symptoms: persistent redness, swelling, tenderness, or the area feels warm.

If you have certain medical conditions, or take certain medicines, your condition may get worse or you may have more or longer lasting side effects when you use AUVI-Q. Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions and the medicines you take. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. Epinephrine should be used with caution if you have heart disease or are taking certain medicines that can cause heart-related symptoms.

Common side effects include fast, irregular or “pounding” heartbeat, sweating, shakiness, headache, paleness, feelings of over excitement, nervousness, or anxiety, weakness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, or breathing problems. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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