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Food allergy prevalence

Food allergies are on the rise, especially food allergies in children. As many as 15 million Americans, or 4.6% of the US population, have food allergies. The most common food allergies that cause anaphylaxis include:

  • Peanuts (peanut allergy is the main cause of anaphylaxis in children)
  • Tree nuts (such as walnuts, pecans and cashews)
  • Shellfish (such as shrimp and lobster—the main cause of anaphylaxis in adults)
  • Fish
  • Cow’s milk
  • Eggs
  • Wheat
  • Soy

Severity is linked to many variables.

The severity of a food-triggered life-threatening allergic reaction depends on a number of factors—the amount eaten, the food form (cooked, raw or processed) and the co-ingestion of other foods. Other variables include the person’s age, the sensitivity at the time of ingestion, how fast the food is absorbed by the body and whether the person has another condition, such as severe or uncontrolled asthma.

Allergen avoidance means careful planning.

If you or your child has a food allergy, you’ll need to be careful to avoid allergic triggers. This means careful menu planning, avoiding cross-contact, reading food labels for alternative ingredient names to make sure you are aware of any “hidden” triggers and developing a food allergy action plan in the form of an anaphylaxis action plan.

Allergens aren’t always easy to avoid.

Food triggers can be difficult to avoid, particularly if the allergen is hidden in the meal or mislabeled in the ingredient list. In particular, children with potentially life-threatening food allergies, such as peanut allergies, may inadvertently eat a trigger food at school. In this case, it’s important that the child and his or her family, caregivers and teachers know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and know what to do in the event of a life-threatening allergic reaction: administer EPIPEN® (epinephrine injection, USP) or EPIPEN JR® (epinephrine injection, USP) Auto-Injector (or their authorized generics) immediately and seek emergency medical care. Be prepared with an anaphylaxis action plan.

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INDICATIONS (the following information applies to both EPIPEN and its Authorized Generic)

EPIPEN® and EPIPEN JR® Auto-Injectors are used to treat life-threatening, allergic emergencies in people who are at risk for or have a history of serious allergic emergencies. EPIPEN and EPIPEN JR are for immediate administration by you or your caregiver. They do not take the place of emergency medical care. You should get emergency help right away after using your EPIPEN of EPIPEN JR.

INDICATIONS (the following information applies to both EPIPEN and its Authorized Generic)

EPIPEN® and EPIPEN JR® Auto-Injectors are used to treat life-threatening, allergic emergencies in people who are at risk for or have a history of serious allergic emergencies. EPIPEN and EPIPEN JR are for immediate administration by you or your caregiver. They do not take the place of emergency medical care. You should get emergency help right away after using your EPIPEN of EPIPEN JR.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (the following information applies to both EPIPEN and its Authorized Generic)

EPIPEN® (epinephrine injection, USP) 0.3 mg and EPIPEN JR® (epinephrine injection, USP) 0.15 mg Auto-Injectors are used to treat allergic emergencies (anaphylaxis). Anaphylaxis can be life threatening and happen within minutes. If untreated, anaphylaxis can cause death. This allergic emergency can be caused by stinging and biting insects, allergy injections, foods, medicines, exercise, or unknown causes.

Always carry 2 EPIPEN or 2 EPIPEN JR Auto-Injectors with you because sometimes a single dose of epinephrine may not be enough to treat a serious allergic reaction before seeking medical care.

When you have an allergic emergency (anaphylaxis), use EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR auto-injectors right away. Get emergency medical help right away even if you have used the EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR auto-injector. You can use a second EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR auto-injector if symptoms continue or if the first auto-injector is activated. If you need more than 2 doses for an allergic emergency, they must be given by a healthcare provider.

Before you use EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR auto-injectors, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions if you have heart problems with high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems, asthma, a history of depression, Parkinson’s disease, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Tell your healthcare provider about all of your known allergies. 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 your EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR auto-injector.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take certain asthma medicines. EPIPEN and EPIPEN JR and other medicines may affect the way other medicines work. Other medicines my affect how EPIPEN and EPIPEN JR auto-injector works.

EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR auto-injector should 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. It is very important that you hold the EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR auto-injector down firmly on the middle of the outer thigh (upper leg) for at least 3 full seconds. If you do not hold it in place long enough, the EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR auto-injector might not have time to deliver the correct dose of medicine. If you accidentally inject EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR auto-injectors into any place other than the middle of your outer thigh, go to the nearest emergency room right away. If you inject a young child, hold their leg firmly in place before and during the 3 second injection to prevent injuries.

Rarely, patients who have used EPIPEN or EPIPEN JR auto-injectors may get infections at the injection site within a few days. Some of these infections can be serious. Call your healthcare professional 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.

Common side effects include fast, irregular or “pounding” heartbeat, sweating, nausea or vomiting, breathing problems, paleness, dizziness, weakness, shakiness, headache, feelings of over excitement, nervousness or anxiety. These side effects may go away with rest. Tell your healthcare professional if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA- 1088.


 Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information for EPIPEN.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information for the Authorized Generic for EPIPEN.

For additional information please contact us at 800-796-9526.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

  • About EPIPEN and the Authorized Generic for EPIPEN
  • What Is Anaphylaxis?
  • Have a Plan
  • Access to EPIPEN and the Authorized Generic to EPIPEN
  • About EPIPEN and the Authorized Generic for EPIPEN
  • What Is Anaphylaxis?
  • Have a Plan
  • Access to EPIPEN and the Authorized Generic to EPIPEN
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