

Generic drug maker Sandoz has announced plans to sell an alternative to the allergy injector EpiPen. It will be available in the United States early next year.
The EpiPen injector is a life-saving device used to halt allergic reactions to insect bites, nuts, and other foods. The brand-name EpiPen currently dominates the market for the therapeutic device. It has been in short supply for about a year. An insufficient supply produced a sharp rise in cost to consumers—as much as a 400 percent price hike per pen since 2007. EpiPen seller Mylan offers a generic version of its own device. It is sold in the United States for about $300 per pair. Mylan began selling a discounted version of the EpiPen after it was blasted for the price hikes that pushed costs up as high as $608 for a pair of brand-name devices.
Sandoz plans to sell prefilled syringes with the same medicine—the hormone epinephrine. Sandoz says the price point, without insurance, will be about $250 for two. It will be offered under the name Symjepi. Actual consumer cost will depend upon insurance policies, discount programs, and pharmacy options. Eventually, Sandoz will offer both an adult and a children’s version of the epinephrine syringe.
For people who need the devices on hand, affordable access is essential. Immediate delivery of epinephrine is medically necessary to treat anaphylactic shock.
Anaphylaxis is an immune system response to an allergy. For instance, an individual with a peanut allergy can enter anaphylaxis instantly after coming into contact with the common legume. The body’s immune system recognizes a protein in peanuts as a toxin. It releases a flood of chemicals that try to prevent the toxin from entering the body’s critical systems—such as the respiratory and circulatory systems. Airways constrict, blood pressure drops, and the victim may find himself facing death by his own body’s attempts at protection. A person can die from anaphylaxis rapidly. Getting treatment quickly is crucial.
At the first exposure to such an allergen, an EpiPen user immediately dispenses epinephrine through a tiny needle into a large muscle, such as the thigh. Epinephrine works to reverse the symptoms of anaphylaxis. It relaxes muscles to reopen airways and constricts blood vessels to raise blood pressure to normal levels. Epinephrine also increases heart rate to help improve blood flow. Then oxygen can once again reach the body’s cells and systems—and save a life.
How is this different from a
How is this different from a regular EpiPen? I'm not sure I understand.
Guys! Read this article!
Guys! Read this article! https://teen.wng.org/node/5126#comment-46440
In the comments, I have a special challenge for you all! It'll be a surprise! Spread the word!
Lena P, I think this new
Lena P, I think this new EpiPen is designed to be less expensive and give others a chance to use them
@ Nellie H.
Gotcha. Thanks!! That makes a bit more sense.
wow!!
isn't it a shot though?
I have an EpiPen because I
I have an EpiPen because I have a severe peanut allergy.
My EpiPen looks like the one
My EpiPen looks like the one that the girl is holding in the slideshow.
to above
Is it a shot?! ; |
interesting
interesting I wounder if it would work for Wheat allergies.........
@lena p
mabey my little brother has hey alergys.
I always carry an EpiPen, too
I always carry an EpiPen, too, because I have severe anaphylactic allergies to both peanuts and dogs. I carry it in a special case that is supposed to help keep it cool in the summers (it can get to about 90 degrees, and it will stay like that for at least two months where I live) called a PracMedic bag: mine is blue. Also, my little sister has the Epi Junior and carries hers in a similar case that is pink with kiddie designs on it. :)
to above
cool! so you somtimes forget it?
No
No, I don't forget mine, just because I also store the special case in a GIANT purse. (I'm not kidding, its really big) However, my little sister is always forgetting hers (she's only six though) and I am always forgetting to remind her to bring it when we go to stores. I'd hate to see the day when I actually have to use it (I haven't yet).....
to above
is it a shot?!
Its the prices.
It's the prices that got lower guys. Before it cost a lot of money to buy an EpiPen. They were so expensive that people with allergies, couldn't get one, and so a lot of times, they couldn't get treated in time and would die. So it is really important that there are Generic EpiPens now.
And also, I was confused too,
And also, I was confused too, until my mom explained it to me, and yes. It IS a shot.
a shot..................................
I would NOT! want to have a shot!!!! i wish Dr. would make a drinkabul iEpen!
@Nadia A
Yes, an EpiPen is a shot. This is how you use the one that I have:
1. Take it out of the case
2. Pull the blue cap off
3. Ram it(I know that sounds bad) into your outer thigh and hold for several seconds
4. Get medical help immediately
Thankfully I have never had to use mine. Once when I was very little I ate a cracker with a smear of peanut butter on it and I got a rash all over my face, neck, back and chest. I don't use an EpiPen for rashes or itchiness, I use Benadryl. (A kind of pill) I keep some with my EpiPen.
@ CLARA L
OUCH!!!!!!! I dont have an iEpen but I am alerjek to penasilen it gives me a rash on my face and armes and legs but I take Benadry for that! The likwed kind!
Karisma S
I'm glad they're coming out with a better price one. That's a lot of money for something that you could or could not need some day. And doesn't the medicine stop working after a few years? I guess it's worth it in the end though, to have protection.
I'm glad I'm not allergic to
I'm glad I'm not allergic to anything. Because shots freak me out.
@SAVANNAH C
thinking about it I have to get 4 SHOTS IN MAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!AWAWWAWAWWAW!!!!!
@ Savannah & Nadia
I know, I hate shots too. But they do protect us from some pretty awful sicknesses.
@ Lena p
yup ; ( you are rite!!!
@Nadia A.
If you were having a terrible reaction, you would probably rather take the shot versus die.
@ G L
yup. your rite. : 9
Epipens are scary and very
Epipens are scary and very disturbing watching people have to use one makes me want to faint maby
why and how is their a
why and how is their a difference between a normal one and this one but to me epipens are just well weird
you should read this article
you should read this article it tells you all about an epipen and what it does read it today!!!
Lily ( Thia's sister)
This is an question open to everyone. What is your allergy? Mine is Amoxicillin. My younger sisters is oranges. Thia's is dun dun dun..................... Nothing.
TO above
i'm alergec to penissylien I can't spell it right. sorry : /
Lily ( Thia's sister)
Nadia A I think that it is spelled as followed: Penicillin
I am allergic to wheat and
I am allergic to wheat and almonds
TO above
yes! thats write I new it was somthing like that!! Penicillin
@G L
You think 90 degrees for two months is bad? you should come try East Texas.
Or come to Phoenix Arizona!
Or come to Phoenix Arizona! It can get to 120 degrees!
you want cold come to Indiana!
it gets like 29 below 0 here!!!
@Emelia G
Boy am I glad I don't live in Phoenix! Where I live 102degreesF is about the hottest it gets. Though I read that once it got up to 113 in August( it's our hottest month)
Lily ( Thia's sister)
Bethsarah G what state do you live in? your temperature sounds the same as ours. we live in NY Ny = New York. Ps who actually gets the WORLD TEEN magazines? I know that Paulus does
@Lily S
I live in texas
Lily ( Thia's sister)
BethSarah G your joking right?
@Lily S
About what? All my comments on this article are true.
Lily ( Thia's sister)
where you live!!!! Texas is supposed to be waaayyyyyy hotter than ny