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Auvi-Q
Used for Anaphylaxis
Used for Anaphylaxis
Auvi-Q (epinephrine) is a life-saving injectable medication used to relieve severe allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis). It's available as a pre-filled auto-injector device that talks you through the injection process. You inject it into the muscle or under the skin of the middle of the outer thigh, and it can be used in people of all ages who weigh at least 16.5 lbs. Auvi-Q (epinephrine) can raise your blood pressure and open up your airways to help you breathe easier. Side effects of this medication include nervousness, high blood pressure, headache, and fast heart rate.
What is Auvi-Q (epinephrine)?
What is Auvi-Q (epinephrine) used for?
- Severe allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis)
How Auvi-Q (epinephrine) works
Auvi-Q (epinephrine) is a non-selective alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor agonist that acts on receptors (signaling proteins) throughout the body. In doing so, it keeps your blood pressure from dropping too low, raises your heart rate, and opens your lungs so you can breathe normally. It also helps with swelling, itching, rashes, hives, and stomach issues linked to an allergic reaction.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Auvi-Q |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Adrenergic receptor agonist |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Auvi-Q (epinephrine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or restless
- Shaking or tremors
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Racing heartbeat
Less Common Side Effects
- Pale skin color
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Difficulty breathing
Auvi-Q (epinephrine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmias): fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, sweating
- High blood pressure: headache, chest pain, dizziness, blurry vision
- Serious infection at injection site: skin redness, tenderness, swelling, warmth
The following Auvi-Q (epinephrine) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Abnormal or decreased touch sensation
arm, back, or jaw pain
bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
blurred vision
chest pain, tightness, heaviness, or discomfort
cold, pale, or bluish color of the skin of the fingers or toes
confusion
difficulty in speaking
dizziness
double vision
fainting
fast, slow, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
headache
inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
inability to speak
numbness, tingling, or pain in the fingers
paleness of the skin
pounding in the ears
restlessness
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
slow speech
sweating
trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
trouble breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Agitation
coldness of the skin
confusion
decreased awareness or responsiveness
decreased urine output
drowsiness
hostility
irritability
lightheadedness
loss of consciousness
muscle twitching
rapid weight gain
rapid, deep breathing
seizures
severe sleepiness
stomach cramps
swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$734.99
Manufacturer exclusive discount
$289.00
Pros and cons of Auvi-Q (epinephrine)
Pros
- Includes voice instructions to guide you through giving an injection
- Also contains visual instructions on the device
- Can be used in young children who weigh at least 16.5 pounds
- If needed, can be injected through clothing
Cons
- Must be stored at room temperature, so it shouldn't be kept in a hot or cold car
- Can cause heart-related side effects (e.g., chest pain, irregular heartbeat)
- Must know how to inject before you need it
- Need to use the right dose for you or your child's body weight
Pharmacist tips for Auvi-Q (epinephrine)
- Always carry Auvi-Q (epinephrine) with you at all times so you can be prepared in case you have an allergic reaction. Make sure you're able to recognize the symptoms of anaphylaxis. If you need to give Auvi-Q (epinephrine), do so first and then call 911 right after.
- It's important to become familiar with the instructions on how to use Auvi-Q (epinephrine) safely. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions.
- Each Auvi-Q (epinephrine) carton comes with a trainer device that doesn't contain any medication or needle, so that you can practice at home before an emergency happens.
- The Auvi-Q (epinephrine) auto-injector will work even if the voice instructions don't turn on.
- Inject Auvi-Q (epinephrine) only into the middle of the outer thigh. Never inject into other parts of the body because the medication might not work as well. If necessary, you can inject through clothing.
- If you're giving Auvi-Q (epinephrine) to a young child or infant, make sure to hold their leg still while giving the injection to avoid injury.
- The Auvi-Q (epinephrine) auto-injector device delivers a single dose. Once it's been activated and used, don't try to reuse the same device or syringe again. If you need to repeat a second dose, make sure to use a brand new auto-injector.
- Store Auvi-Q (epinephrine) at room temperature in the original container to protect it from light. Don't expose the medication to extreme heat (e.g., car glove box) or cold (e.g., refrigerator or freezer) because this can damage the medication and make it not work well for you.
- Ask your provider how to safely dispose of Auvi-Q (epinephrine). It has batteries that contain perchlorate, so some states require it to be put in a special hazardous waste.
Risks and warnings for Auvi-Q (epinephrine)
Auvi-Q (epinephrine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Emergency medical care
Get medical help right away after you use Auvi-Q (epinephrine), even if you start feeling better. It's best to have a healthcare provider monitor your condition just in case the symptoms come back or if you require additional treatments. Auvi-Q (epinephrine) can't replace immediate medical attention.
Injection-related problems
Auvi-Q (epinephrine) is only meant to be injected into the muscle or under the skin of the outer thigh. Don't inject it by any other route or into any other area of the body. Doing so can lead to serious medical problems.
If you're giving Auvi-Q (epinephrine) to a child, try your best to hold the child's leg firmly in place and to prevent them from moving too much or kicking to prevent needle injuries.
Risk of skin infection
Serious skin infections are rare, but can happen after using Auvi-Q (epinephrine). To lower this risk, don't inject this medication into the buttock area. If you notice the Auvi-Q (epinephrine) injection site becomes red, warm, swollen, or tender, seek medical care so you can be tested for an infection and receive treatment, if needed.
Okay to use in people with sulfite allergy
Auvi-Q (epinephrine) might contain sulfites. But if you're experiencing a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction and have an allergy to sulfites, you should still use Auvi-Q (epinephrine) because it's a life-saving medication.
High blood pressure and heart rate
- Risk factors: Receiving Auvi-Q (epinephrine) through the veins | History of heart problems | Taking medications that affect heart rate or blood pressure
Auvi-Q (epinephrine) raises blood pressure and heart rate. Let your provider know if you experience any trouble breathing, chest pain, dizziness, changes in vision, or headache. These could be signs that your blood pressure or heart rate is too high and you might need to receive treatment after your allergic reaction is gone.
Auvi-Q (epinephrine) dosage
The average cost for 1 package of 2 auto-injectors of 0.3mg of Auvi-Q (epinephrine) is $289.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 60.68% off the average retail price of $734.99.
Interactions between Auvi-Q (epinephrine) and other drugs
Auvi-Q (epinephrine) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Auvi-Q (epinephrine). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Dihydroergotamine
- Isocarboxazid
- Linezolid
- Phenelzine
- Tranylcypromine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amineptine
- Amitriptyline
- Amitriptylinoxide
- Amoxapine
- Benperidol
- Bromperidol
- Bucindolol
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Clomipramine
- Desipramine
- Dibenzepin
- Digoxin
- Dilevalol
- Dixyrazine
- Doxepin
- Droperidol
- Entacapone
- Ergonovine
- Fexofenadine
- Fluphenazine
- Furazolidone
- Haloperidol
- Halothane
- Imipramine
- Iobenguane I 123
- Iproniazid
- Levalbuterol
- Levobunolol
- Lofepramine
- Loxapine
- Melitracen
- Melperone
- Methdilazine
- Methotrimeprazine
- Methylene Blue
- Methylergonovine
- Metipranolol
- Metopimazine
- Nadolol
- Nialamide
- Nortriptyline
- Opicapone
- Opipramol
- Oxprenolol
- Penbutolol
- Perazine
- Periciazine
- Perphenazine
- Pindolol
- Pipamperone
- Pipotiazine
- Practolol
- Procarbazine
- Prochlorperazine
- Promazine
- Promethazine
- Propiomazine
- Propranolol
- Protriptyline
- Rasagiline
- Selegiline
- Sotalol
- Terfenadine
- Tertatolol
- Thiethylperazine
- Thioproperazine
- Thioridazine
- Tianeptine
- Timolol
- Trifluoperazine
- Triflupromazine
- Trimipramine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
How much does Auvi-Q (epinephrine) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Auvi-Q (brand)
$289.00
What are alternatives to Auvi-Q (epinephrine)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Auvi-Q (epinephrine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Auvi-Q (epinephrine)
Can You Use an EpiPen After It Expires?
EpiPens typically last for 18 months. But is it safe to use an expired EpiPen if you have to? Here’s what you should know about EpiPen expiration dates and storage.
Here’s How to Get an Epipen Refill Without Seeing a Doctor in Person
EpiPen is only available with a prescription, but you can get a refill without seeing a doctor in person. Telehealth services like GoodRx Care allow you to get your prescription refilled and delivered to your pharmacy — often on the same day. Your insurance plan may cover your refill but it’s best to check with your plan first.
GoodRx Care Now Refilling EpiPen Prescriptions for Anaphylaxis
Last month, we introduced GoodRx Care, offering online medical visits starting at $20. Today, we’re excited to announce that we’re expanding this service to include prescriptions for EpiPen and similar medication options for anaphylaxis.
2 Years After the EpiPen Price Hike, Here’s What’s Changed
Where two years ago, EpiPen had nearly 90% of the market for the medication, today, the Epipen brand auto-injector accounts for just around 10% of fills. Instead, the generic version of Epipen now holds more than 60% of the market, with a generic version of the Adrenaclick auto-injector accounting for another 30%.
Auvi-Q (epinephrine) images
