Where To Buy Epinephrine
Ask your doctor to prescribe an alternative epinephrine auto-injector that is less costly or a generic version. Sometimes less costly alternatives are available. Generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, are equally as safe and effective, and cost less.
where to buy epinephrine
Compare total out-of-pocket cost from one epinephrine auto-injector device to another as sometimes prices will vary. Depending on whether or not you have insurance that covers your prescription, switching to another device may save you money. Just remember: if you do switch devices, learn how to use the new device since they all operate a bit differently. Read the package instructions and watch the training videos on the manufacturer website to familiarize yourself with proper use of the auto-injector you bring home.
For example, take the EpiPen (epinephrine), an injectable medication required by people who have severe, life-threatening allergies (anaphylaxis). Keeping this medication on hand is the only option as the allergic reaction can be quickly fatal.
Epinephrine (EpiPen, EpiPen Jr, Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q, Symjepi, or generic versions of the epinephrine autoinjector) is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. An autoinjector is a self-injectable device.
EpiPen, also known by its generic name as epinephrine, is a prescription-only brand name medication made by Viatris. EpiPen was initially approved in 1989, but its active ingredient, epinephrine was first synthesized in 1906.
Several epinephrine products come in an auto-injector pen that can be used by the patient, parent, teacher, school nurse, or any bystander. The injection is given in the thigh, and can even be given through clothing.
One brand name EpiPen or EpiPen Jr. package (which contains 2 auto-injectors) will cost roughly $650 to $700 if you are paying cash, although pharmacy coupons or manufacturers discounts may lower the price. It may be worthwhile to check with your insurance company before you get your prescription to find out which epinephrine product is covered.
Another option is a product known as Adrenaclick, which is an epinephrine auto-injector that is similar to EpiPen. Adrenaclick is expensive, running close to $500 per two-pack. However, Adrenaclick also has an authorized generic epinephrine auto-injector and it can be obtained from some pharmacies for about $110 for a two-pack.
Viatris is offering a savings card for the authorized generic epinephrine autoinjector for eligible patients with commercial health insurance. The card provides up to $25 off the out-of-pocket cost on the authorized generic and can be used for a total of three epinephrine Injection cartons (six total auto-injectors per calendar year).
Auvi-Q is a brand name epinephrine auto-injector with unique features such as voice instructions that help guide a user with step-by-step instructions through the epinephrine delivery process, a smaller size, and an automatic retractable needle system. This serves as a safety feature and retracts the needle back into the device within seconds.
Auvi-Q is available as 0.3 mg dose for patients greater than or equal to 30 kg (66 lbs). Two lower doses of Auvi-Q (0.1 mg and 0.15 mg) are also approved to deliver a dose of epinephrine appropriate for infants and small children.
In June, 2017 the FDA cleared Symjepi (epinephrine), a new, single-dose, prefilled syringe of epinephrine also used for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis. The product provides two, single dose syringes of epinephrine (not an auto-injector).
Always check your epinephrine injector at the counter when you pick it up from the pharmacy and make sure it has at least one year before expiring. If not, speak to your pharmacist about getting a different injector with a longer expiration date.
Most schools in the U.S. now either require or allow the school to have access to epinephrine for those who do not have their own supply. Keep a supply of epinephrine at home, work AND at school, and remember to refill your prescription before your epinephrine auto-injector has expired.
If you happen to be in Canada, buying an EpiPen from an established pharmacy will cost you around $100 to $150, and it is available without a prescription. Canada, like the U.S., does have strict laws overseeing the safety of prescription medications. However, bringing an epinephrine auto-injector over the border from Canada into the U.S. may be questioned and your medication may be confiscated by customs officials at the border. Plus many epinephrine products in the U.S. can now be found for roughly $110 or so.
Note: Prices may vary depending on the pharmacy you visit, insurance or manufacturer price adjustments. Look for online discount coupons or discount cards if paying cash out-of-pocket. Generic epinephrine is covered by most insurers, including Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance plans.
Minn. Stat. 144.999 allows authorized entities including recreation camps, colleges, universities, preschools and day-care facilities to obtain, store, and use epinephrine auto-injectors without a prescription. The law authorizes the Commissioner of Health to add additional categories of authorized entities, and licensed nursing homes, boarding care homes, home care providers, and food and beverage establishments have been added. After successfully completing an anaphylaxis training program, owners, managers, employees and/or agents of an authorized entity may provide or administer an epinephrine auto-injector to an individual whom they believe in good faith is experiencing anaphylaxis.
Starting on August 1, 2019, an individual may also complete an approved training program, and may obtain epinephrine auto-injectors from a licensed wholesale pharmacy. An authorized individual is responsible for storage and control of epinephrine auto-injectors the individual possesses. An authorized individual may provide or administer an epinephrine auto-injector to an individual whom they believe in good faith is experiencing anaphylaxis.
There is no limit in the number of owners, managers, employees or agents of an authorized entity who may complete anaphylaxis training. An authorized entity shall designate employees or agents who have completed training to be responsible for storing, maintaining, and controlling the epinephrine auto-injectors.
You can also call your local community or hospital pharmacy to inquire if they are licensed as a wholesaler. Note that an authorized individual must present a valid training certificate to the pharmacy/wholesaler in order to purchase epinephrine auto-injectors.
No. Neither the Commissioner of Health nor other state agencies maintain a list of organizations or individuals that choose to obtain epinephrine auto-injectors under this statute. Authorized individuals who have completed training may submit their respective training certificates to an authorized wholesale pharmacy to obtain the epinephrine auto-injectors.
Septocaine is indicated for local, infiltrative, or conductive anesthesia in both simple and complex dental procedures. Septocaine and epinephrine 1:100,000 is preferred during operative or surgical procedures when improved visualization of the surgical field is desirable. Reactions to Septocaine (pain and headache, for example, or convulsions or respiratory arrest following accidental intravascular injection) are characteristic of those associated with other amide-type local anesthetics. Septocaine contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people. Accidental intravascular injection may be associated with convulsions, followed by central nervous system or cardiorespiratory depression and coma, progressing ultimately to respiratory arrest. Dental practitioners and/or clinicians who employ local anesthetic agents should be well versed in diagnosis and management of emergencies that may arise from their use. Resuscitative equipment, oxygen, and other resuscitative drugs should be available for immediate use. Septocaine, along with other local anesthetics, is capable of producing methemoglobinemia. The clinical signs of methemoglobinemia are cyanosis of the nail beds and lips, fatigue and weakness. If methemoglobinemia does not respond to administration of oxygen, administration of methylene blue intravenously 1-2 mg/kg body weight over a 5 minute period is recommended. Please see the Package Insert for prescribing information.
State law allows physicians to prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors to businesses and the general public after completion of proper training and certification. The epinephrine certification card issued by the EMSA allows an individual (lay-person or off-duty EMS personnel,) to obtain a prescription for and administer an epinephrine auto-injector to a person experiencing anaphylaxis, with civil liability protection.
The average price of brand-name EpiPens is $690 at pharmacies. Still, the generic versions (commonly called epinephrine auto-injectors) cost about half. Epinephrine is an expensive drug used for the emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions. It would be best if you kept your EpiPen with you.
While 98% of Medicare prescription drug plans cover the cost of epinephrine auto-injectors, most Medicare prescription drug plans have quantity limits to restrict the amount of this drug you can fill at one time. Even if you have already met your deductible, it can cost up to $164 for a single epinephrine auto-injector.
Auvi-Q is the first and only FDA-approved injection device for babies. It is about the size of a credit card with the thickness of a cell phone. It also has a retractable needle for people who do not want to see it. The administration of epinephrine only takes 2 seconds.
Teva's epinephrine auto-Injector is FDA-approved in 2 strengths. The 0.3 mg strength is equivalent to EpiPen for patients who weigh over 66 lbs (yellow label). The 0.15 mg strength is comparable to EpiPen Jr for patients who weigh 33-66 lbs (green label). The Teva generic version of EpiPen takes 3 seconds to administer. 041b061a72