Does anyone here know why there is a nationwide shortage of pediatric epipens?
I went to renew a prescription, and no one has them. Not Walgreens, CVS, my local hospital pharmacy, etc. My local Costco said they haven't seen any in two months.
This goes for EpiPen Jr, the generic version, and AviQ.
I have two autoinjectors which expire next month. They have been stored properly, and I assume they will be good for a while beyond expiration. It's a liquid, so I have no idea how long.
Fortunately we've never had to use it.
There has been a nationwide shortage of allergy serum components for more than a year, too.
October 30, 2018, 01:58 PM
hray
Basically what it boils down to is a pharmaceutical company playing Fuck Fuck with the citizens. Pretty shitty seeing how it's an immediate life saving medication.
I can't recall all the particulars and could be off but as I recall there was a certain politicians daughter that was the CEO I think of one of the Major Epi pen manufacturing that was charging an arm and a leg for this medication. I believe there where law suites/fines and stuff and in turn caused the supply of Epi pens to be low. Like I said I could be off a bit but thats what I kind of remember. Hray
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I read a short time ago that expiration dates were extended on certain lots. There is info in the link I provided.
______________________________ “I'd like to know why well-educated idiots keep apologizing for lazy and complaining people who think the world owes them a living.” ― John Wayne
October 30, 2018, 02:45 PM
Beanhead
So you are saying we should eBay our spares?!
October 30, 2018, 02:55 PM
ElToro
A buddy has a need to keep them on hand in car and home. He recently mentioned he buys them from a Canadian online pharmacy. He has a Rx so it’s kosher.
October 30, 2018, 03:15 PM
BGULL
quote:
Originally posted by hray: .........I can't recall all the particulars and could be off but as I recall there was a certain politicians daughter that was the CEO I think of one of the Major Epi pen manufacturing that was charging an arm and a leg for this medication........... Hray
I read a short time ago that expiration dates were extended on certain lots. There is info in the link I provided.
Thank you for this information. The extended expiration dates do not apply to the EpiPen Jr, but it still makes me think I will be OK for a little while.
I read a short time ago that expiration dates were extended on certain lots. There is info in the link I provided.
Thank you for this information. The extended expiration dates do not apply to the EpiPen Jr, but it still makes me think I will be OK for a little while.
Keep an eye on the little window on the face of the epi-pen and just make sure they fluid doesn't get cloudy or discolored.
October 30, 2018, 08:42 PM
Fredward
Check with your doctor. A syringe and a vial of the medication can be had for less than ten bucks. It can easily be carried in something like a travel toothbrush case.
October 30, 2018, 10:51 PM
chongosuerte
quote:
Originally posted by Fredward: Check with your doctor. A syringe and a vial of the medication can be had for less than ten bucks. It can easily be carried in something like a travel toothbrush case.
+1
This is what everyone who needed epinephrine before the auto-injectors were available used.
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October 30, 2018, 11:50 PM
deepocean
quote:
Originally posted by chongosuerte:
quote:
Originally posted by Fredward: Check with your doctor. A syringe and a vial of the medication can be had for less than ten bucks. It can easily be carried in something like a travel toothbrush case.
+1
This is what everyone who needed epinephrine before the auto-injectors were available used.
This was suggested today by a hospital pharmacist. He warned me "even clinicians can have issues getting the dose right because of stress if their kids need the epinephrine." I think that was a bit dramatic, but in reality I am not sure the doc would give me a script for that.
I think it will be ok. We are first on a waitlist through a major local pharmacy.
October 31, 2018, 12:28 AM
chongosuerte
quote:
Originally posted by deepocean:
quote:
Originally posted by chongosuerte:
quote:
Originally posted by Fredward: Check with your doctor. A syringe and a vial of the medication can be had for less than ten bucks. It can easily be carried in something like a travel toothbrush case.
+1
This is what everyone who needed epinephrine before the auto-injectors were available used.
This was suggested today by a hospital pharmacist. He warned me "even clinicians can have issues getting the dose right because of stress if their kids need the epinephrine." I think that was a bit dramatic, but in reality I am not sure the doc would give me a script for that.
I think it will be ok. We are first on a waitlist through a major local pharmacy.
Dramatic, yes. Pediatric dose of the Epi factory-mixed for such pediatric injections (1:1,000 ratio) is 0.01 mg/kg. Clinically, there’s room for fudge (pediatric auto injectors have slight adjustments to vary doses I believe, but none of them are exactly weight-based). It’d be easy to do the math 2x a year to keep up with growth and put a piece of tape on the syringe at the appropriate dose mark.
Once they are over 30kg, or 66 pounds, they can use the standard 0.3-0.5 mg dose. Again, the tape trick would work.
Obviously follow the Drs advice, and all that jazz.
Just an idea if you run out of options before you get the new ones.
Knowing what one is talking about is widely admired but not strictly required here.
Although sometimes distracting, there is often a certain entertainment value to this easy standard. -JALLEN
"All I need is a WAR ON DRUGS reference and I got myself a police thread BINGO." -jljones
October 31, 2018, 11:06 AM
deepocean
quote:
Originally posted by chongosuerte:
Dramatic, yes. Pediatric dose of the Epi factory-mixed for such pediatric injections (1:1,000 ratio) is 0.01 mg/kg. Clinically, there’s room for fudge (pediatric auto injectors have slight adjustments to vary doses I believe, but none of them are exactly weight-based). It’d be easy to do the math 2x a year to keep up with growth and put a piece of tape on the syringe at the appropriate dose mark.
Once they are over 30kg, or 66 pounds, they can use the standard 0.3-0.5 mg dose. Again, the tape trick would work.
Obviously follow the Drs advice, and all that jazz.
Just an idea if you run out of options before you get the new ones.
Thank you for this information. We are fortunate in that we carry the epipen but have not needed it. We take it seriously in any case. Today we have to be careful about peanut exposure.
October 31, 2018, 12:59 PM
KMitch200
This is a site that deals with things in out of the way places. This particular article shows how to dismantle an epipen to get at the residual left after the pens use, (which you might need in BFE) but also has some info on expired devices:
Manufacturers recommend against use of epinephrine that is cloudy in density or contains particulate solution. Epinephrine fluid naturally changes color over time from clear to yellow to brown with no known change in efficacy or safety. However, no evidence, including a study on expired EpiPens, demonstrates that discrimination based on fluid color is clinically significant.
-------- After the game, the King and the pawn go into the same box.
October 31, 2018, 02:21 PM
deepocean
I found one in stock at Sam's Club, transferred the prescription, and walked out with it. Thank you to everyone who offered suggestions to my questions.