Anaphylaxis is a potentially life‑threatening allergic reaction that can occur quickly (as fast as within a couple of minutes of exposure to the allergen). Anaphylaxis can be caused by a number of allergens, or triggers, which commonly include certain foods, insect stinging and biting, medications and latex.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis vary, but those involving the skin (hives, itching, skin redness) are most common. A majority of cases also involve swelling of the lips and tongue as well as of the airways (tightness in the throat, shortness of breath). Anaphylaxis may also involve the gastrointestinal system (nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea), the cardiovascular system (fast heartbeat, chest pain, low blood pressure) or the central nervous system (headache, confusion).

Life‑threatening allergies can happen at any time, but certain factors may make some individuals susceptible to having a life‑threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Remember that by being careful to avoid your allergens, you can help prevent a life‑threatening allergic reaction. The factors that make some individuals susceptible can be divided into two categories:

1. General factors that increase the risk of having a life‑threatening allergic reaction include:
   • Exposure to certain allergens (triggers) such as food (e.g., peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs and milk), biting or stinging insects (e.g., bees, ants and ticks), latex and medications (e.g., penicillin) for those who are allergic to them
   • Exercise, in susceptible individuals
   • Exposure to cold, heat or sunlight
2. Factors that may increase the severity of a life‑threatening allergic reaction include:
   • Age:
     • Adolescents and young adults may be at an increased risk of anaphylaxis because of inconsistent behaviors in avoiding known allergic triggers
     • The elderly may be at an increased risk of having a more severe life‑threatening allergic reaction because of accompanying disorders and medications used to treat those disorders, such as heart disease. In addition, the elderly may be at an increased risk of having a more severe life‑threatening allergic reaction if they are exposed to biting or stinging insects
   • Disorders that make the symptoms of anaphylaxis difficult to recognize, such as impaired vision, seizures or depression
   • Medications or chemicals that make the symptoms of anaphylaxis difficult to recognize, such as antidepressants, sedatives or alcohol
   • Disorders such as asthma (especially if severe or not controlled with medication), heart disease, high blood pressure and cerebrovascular disease, such as stroke
   • Certain medications used in the treatment of heart disease, such as beta‑blockers, that may block the medicinal benefits of epinephrine

Talk to your healthcare professional to determine if you may be at increased risk for anaphylaxis—and if you or your child should be prescribed EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR Auto‑Injector or their authorized generics. It’s important that those at increased risk for anaphylaxis are careful to avoid known allergy‑causing triggers and always have access to two EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR Auto‑Injectors or their authorized generics.

If you have had anaphylaxis, you may be at an even higher risk for another life‑threatening allergic reaction. It is not possible to predict who will or will not have another episode. It is possible to become less sensitive to an allergic trigger, but this usually happens after a treatment like allergy shots. You may sometimes even outgrow your reaction to some food triggers. However, you may also experience a more serious episode than you did the first time.

About 2.5% of Americans have some type of food allergy, and the problem is more prevalent among kids—about 1 in 13 children has a food allergy. Peanuts, tree nuts (such as walnuts and pecans), shellfish, fish, cow’s milk, eggs, wheat and soy account for the majority of life‑threatening food allergies.

The drug in EPIPEN and EPIPEN JR Auto-Injectors, and their authorized generics, is epinephrine. It constricts blood vessels to increase blood pressure, relaxes smooth muscles in the lungs to reduce wheezing and improve breathing, stimulates the heart (increases heart rate) and works to reduce hives and swelling that may occur around the face and lips.

Up to 20% of patients—about 1 in 5—who receive an initial dose of epinephrine for treatment of anaphylaxis require a second dose. Why? Sometimes an allergic reaction can be so severe, a second dose of epinephrine is required. In other cases, a second allergic reaction can occur 1 to 72 hours (usually within 8 hours) after the initial reaction—even with no further exposure to the allergic trigger. Therefore, it is important that patients at increased risk for anaphylaxis have two doses of epinephrine available.

For your convenience, both EPIPEN and EPIPEN JR Auto-Injectors—and their authorized generics—are available in cartons of two. It’s important that you keep both EPIPEN Auto‑Injectors together at all times. That way, an extra dose is available if it’s needed. More than two sequential doses of EPIPEN Auto‑Injector or its authorized generic should be administered only under direct medical supervision.

Make sure you speak with your healthcare professional about how to identify the signs and symptoms of a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). If you, your child or someone you're caring for shows signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis, administer EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR Auto-Injector or their authorized generics immediately as prescribed and seek emergency medical care. Take the used auto-injector with you to the emergency room for inspection and disposal. Please read the full Prescribing Information for EPIPEN and EPIPEN JR or the full Prescribing Information for the authorized generics.

EPIPEN Auto‑Injector has been available for more than 35+ years. Over 80 million EPIPEN Auto‑Injectors have been dispensed.* Many patients, caregivers and school nurses are already familiar with EPIPEN Auto‑Injector.

*Based on IQVIA data from 1987-March 2022.

According to the FDA, the only difference between an authorized generic and a brand name product is the label. They are exactly the same, except the authorized generic does not bear the brand name. A company can create and sell an authorized generic of a brand name product it already produces under a previously approved New Drug Application (NDA).

In an effort to improve access to epinephrine for patients with severe allergies, Viatris launched the first authorized generic for EPIPEN at a list price of $300 (per two-pack). The Authorized Generic for EPIPEN represents a discount of more than 50% off the Viatris list price for its brand name medicine. Depending on your healthcare insurance coverage, the authorized generic may be a more affordable choice for you.

You should take your EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR Auto-Injector, or their authorized generics, everywhere you go. They will need to be stored at 68-77 °F (20-25 °C) and discarded on the expiration date located on the carton. Your EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR Auto-Injector, or their authorized generics, should not be refrigerated or exposed to extreme heat or light. Keep these temperature requirements in mind when storing your EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR Auto-Injector, or their authorized generics. For example, do not store in your vehicle's glove box or in your refrigerator or freezer. Do not use the medicine if it is discolored (pinkish or brown color) or if the medicine has particles floating in it.

Like any medication, EPIPEN Auto-Injector (and its authorized generic) has an expiration date, which is printed on the side of the auto-injector. Because the effectiveness of epinephrine may decrease after the expiration date, you should promptly refill your prescription before the expiration date. Do not use the medicine if it is discolored (pinkish or brown color) or if the medicine has particles floating in it.

Talk to your doctor if you need additional EPIPEN (or its authorized generic) cartons to keep at work, school or any other location. The EPIPEN Savings Card or the Epinephrine Injection, USP, Auto-Injector Savings Card could help you save on up to three EPIPEN 2-PAK® or EPIPEN JR 2-PAK® (or their authorized generics) cartons per prescription fill.*

*Eligibility restrictions apply. See full Terms and Conditions for the EPIPEN Savings Card here and the Epinephrine Injection, USP Auto-Injector Savings Card here. These offers are not valid for patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid or any other federal- or state-funded healthcare program or where prohibited by law. Mylan Specialty L.P., a Viatris Company, reserves the right to amend or end this program at any time without notice.

Make sure your child or appropriate school personnel have immediate access to his/her EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR Auto-Injector or their authorized generics. School regulations for carrying epinephrine auto‑injectors vary and should be discussed with school personnel. School personnel should also be informed of your child’s history of anaphylaxis and your child’s specific allergy trigger(s).

EPIPEN Auto-Injector contains a single dose of 0.3 mg of epinephrine, appropriate for people weighing 66 pounds or more. EPIPEN JR Auto-Injector contains 0.15 mg of epinephrine and is for children with severe allergies weighing 33 to 66 pounds. The authorized generic is also available in 0.3 and 0.15 mg doses. Your healthcare professional will carefully determine the appropriate dose of epinephrine for you or your child.

No. EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR and the authorized generics should only be injected into the middle of your outer thigh (upper leg), through clothing if necessary. Do not inject into your veins, buttocks, fingers, toes, hands or feet. Hold the leg of young children firmly in place before and during injection to prevent injuries. In case of accidental injection, please seek immediate medical treatment.

Examine the contents (the epinephrine solution) in the clear window of your auto-injector periodically. The epinephrine solution should be clear. If the epinephrine solution is discolored (pinkish or brown color) or contains solid particles, speak with your healthcare professional immediately and replace your EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR Auto-Injector or their authorized generics.

No. Although some of the liquid (epinephrine solution) remains in the auto-injector after an injection, it cannot be reused. Take your used auto-injector with you to the emergency room or your healthcare professional’s office for proper disposal and obtain a replacement.

No. The protective case has no rubber seal, and it is not waterproof. If your EPIPEN Auto-Injector or its authorized generic is ever submerged in water or another liquid, contact your healthcare professional immediately to obtain a new prescription.

Take your used auto-injector to the emergency room or your healthcare professional’s office for proper disposal, and ask for a new prescription for EPIPEN or its authorized generic.