Food allergy prevalenceFood allergies are on the rise, especially food allergies in children. As many as 8 million Americans, or 2.5% of the US population, have food allergies. The most common food allergies that cause anaphylaxis include:
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) or EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine injection) Auto-Injector immediately and seek emergency medical care. Be prepared with an anaphylaxis action plan.
Important Safety Information
EpiPen® (epinephrine injection) 0.3 mg and EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine injection) 0.15 mg Auto-Injectors contain a single dose of epinephrine, which you (or your caregiver or others who may be in a position to administer EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr®) inject into the middle of your outer thigh (upper leg) (through clothing, if necessary). Get emergency medical help right away. You may need further medical attention. Only a healthcare professional should give additional doses of epinephrine if you need more than two injections for a single anaphylactic episode. DO NOT INJECT INTO YOUR VEINS, BUTTOCKS, FINGERS, TOES, HANDS OR FEET. In case of accidental injection, please seek immediate medical treatment. Epinephrine should be used with caution if you have heart disease or are taking certain medicines that can cause heart-related (cardiac) symptoms.
Tell your doctor if you have certain medical conditions such as asthma, depression, thyroid disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, have any other medical conditions, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Be sure to also tell your doctor all the medicines you take, especially medicines for asthma. 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 EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr®.
The most common side effects may include increase in heart rate, stronger or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea or vomiting, difficulty breathing, paleness, dizziness, weakness, shakiness, headache, apprehension, nervousness or anxiety. These side effects may go away if you rest. Tell your healthcare professional if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.
IndicationsEpiPen® and EpiPen Jr® Auto-Injectors are for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) caused by allergens, exercise, or unknown triggers; and for people who are at increased risk for these reactions. EpiPen® and EpiPen Jr® are intended for immediate administration as emergency supportive therapy only. Seek immediate emergency medical help right away.
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.
For additional information, please contact us at 800‑395‑3376.
- 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
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) or EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine injection) Auto-Injector immediately and seek emergency medical care. Be prepared with an anaphylaxis action plan.
Important Safety Information
EpiPen® (epinephrine injection) 0.3 mg and EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine injection) 0.15 mg Auto-Injectors contain a single dose of epinephrine, which you (or your caregiver or others who may be in a position to administer EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr®) inject into the middle of your outer thigh (upper leg) (through clothing, if necessary). Get emergency medical help right away. You may need further medical attention. Only a healthcare professional should give additional doses of epinephrine if you need more than two injections for a single anaphylactic episode. DO NOT INJECT INTO YOUR VEINS, BUTTOCKS, FINGERS, TOES, HANDS OR FEET. In case of accidental injection, please seek immediate medical treatment. Epinephrine should be used with caution if you have heart disease or are taking certain medicines that can cause heart-related (cardiac) symptoms.
Tell your doctor if you have certain medical conditions such as asthma, depression, thyroid disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, have any other medical conditions, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Be sure to also tell your doctor all the medicines you take, especially medicines for asthma. 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 EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr®.
The most common side effects may include increase in heart rate, stronger or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea or vomiting, difficulty breathing, paleness, dizziness, weakness, shakiness, headache, apprehension, nervousness or anxiety. These side effects may go away if you rest. Tell your healthcare professional if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.
IndicationsEpiPen® and EpiPen Jr® Auto-Injectors are for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) caused by allergens, exercise, or unknown triggers; and for people who are at increased risk for these reactions. EpiPen® and EpiPen Jr® are intended for immediate administration as emergency supportive therapy only. Seek immediate emergency medical help right away.
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.
For additional information, please contact us at 800‑395‑3376.