Auvi-Q 0.1 mg dose was recently approved by the FDA for infants and small children weighing 16.5-33 pounds. Currently there are only 2 dosages on the market for injectable epinephrine, 0.15 mg and 0.3 mg. The 0.3 mg dose is for anyone over 66 pounds and 0.15 mg for anyone below it. There was an unmet need for infants and small children dosing as the 0.15 mg may be too high of a dose. The Auvi-Q 0.1 mg is a more appropriate dosage for children weighing 16.5-33 pounds. The needle length for Auvi-Q 0.1 mg is also shorter, reducing the risk of hitting the bone while injecting. Auvi-Q 0.1 mg should be available in the first half of 2018.
Having an age appropriate dosage for injectable epinephrine is very important now. Recent changes in guidelines recommend introducing high risk infants as young as 4-6 months, peanut containing foods. This will help lower food allergy to peanuts, but there is also a higher risk of allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis. The most common foods that cause anaphylaxis are peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, wheat, milk, soy and eggs.
Injectable epinephrine has been in the news often over the last year, first because Mylan which manufactures Epipen and Epipen Jr. were inflating their prices greatly. Since then, many competitors have come out to compete directly with them for the injectable epinephrine market. Although in the epinephrine market, Epipen still controls a significant market share.
Why is the Epipen Price so High?
Symjepi a cheaper alternative to Epipen, FDA Approved
EpiPen Failure, can epinephrine injectors improve?
If your child falls into the weight range for the Auvi-Q 0.1 mg dosage, speak to your pediatric allergist about whether its appropriate for your son or daughter.
For information on preventing peanut allergy please read the links below.