From FAAN - the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network

Recently, a generic epinephrine auto-injector became available on the market. This may result in pharmacies substituting the generic auto-injector for a brand-name auto-injector, or vice-versa.

If you or someone you know has been prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector, please be aware that specific brand-name epinephrine auto-injectors, such as Adrenaclick, EpiPen or Twinject, as well as the generic version, each have their own unique instructions for proper administration.

Families may have been trained by their pediatricians or allergists on the use of one type of auto-injector, then receive another type from the pharmacy on which they have received no training. It is important to have a clear understanding of the training instructions for the auto-injector obtained at the pharmacy.

For more information on epinephrine auto-injectors, visit the 'new' section of the American Academy of Pediatrics Allergy and Immunology website.

Similar information can be found on the websites of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

First Published in May 2010

If you found this article interesting, you will find many more articles on anaphylaxis here, and reports of research into anaphylaxis here.
You can also find articles on peanut and tree-nut allergy here, cow's milk allergies here, egg allergy here, histamine intolerance hereand articles on a wide range of other allergic and intolerance reactions to a wide range of other foods here.

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