Auvi-Q Side Effects
Serious side effects
- Fast or irregular heartbeat that may lead to breathing problems.
Common side effects
- Sweating, partnered with headaches and dizziness.
- Nausea and vomiting that can cause lethargy, or weakness, and paleness.
- Feelings of excitement or over-excitement, nervousness and anxiety that can cause shakiness.
Some side effects may be increased or last longer in patients who take
certain medicines, especially asthma, allergy, depression, thyroid, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease medications.
Warnings & Recalls for Auvi-Q
Warnings
Auvi-Q, as with most epinephrine injections, is used for immediate relief and is not a replacement for medical treatment. Auvi-Q should only be injected into the
outer upper thigh. It should NOT be injected into the buttocks, veins, or any other appendages. If the epinephrine is injected in any other part of the body, medical attention should be immediately sought,
The Auvi-Q package and
contents should be viewed regularly to check that the medicine has not expired or been compromised. The solution should be replaced if it is discolored or cloudy, or if the expiration date has passed. The package that contains the Auvi-Q should remain intact as it protects the solution from light. The solution should be kept out of the reach of children.
If the patient has heart disease, or taking medicines that cause cardiac symptoms, epinephrine should be used with caution.
Auvi-Q can be administered to women who are pregnant or nursing, but should be used with caution as it is not known if this medication causes fetal harm.
Auvi-Q Treatment and Use
Auvi-Q is the first epinephrine injection that is voice and visual automated so it can guide the user through the process of injecting medicine into the upper thigh muscle. Epinephrine is used for the treatment of allergic situations, and for those who are at risk of anaphylaxis (severe, life-threatening reactions). It is produced by Sanofi.
How does Auvi-Q work?
Auvi-Q provides the user with a step-by-step guide of how to use the epinephrine injection once the device is removed from its case, and can repeat audio and visual steps if necessary. This epinephrine pen (epi pen) includes a five-second countdown and an alert light to indicate that the injection has been completed. Unlike most epipens, Auvi-Q has a retractable needle to prevent accidents stemming from needle pricks.
An epipen contains the medicine epinephrine, or adrenaline, to obstruct an allergic reaction before anaphylactic shock can occur. The adrenaline prepares the body for the extra energy it is preparing to produce, and reverses the symptoms of anaphylactic shock by stimulating adrenergic receptors. Adrenaline makes the blood vessels narrow, which stops the blood pressure from decreasing too much and then directs blood to vital organs. This adrenaline will open airways in the lungs and make the heart beat stronger.
Dosage information
Auvi-Q comes in two types of dosages, each being single-use. The 0.3 mg dosage is for patients who weigh 66 pounds or more, and is typically considered to be the adult dosage. The 0.15 mg dosage is for patients weighing 33-66 pounds- the children’s dosage.
Each pack is built for easy storage at room temperature and is similar to a deck of cards (3.5 inches tall by 2 inches wide by 0.5 inches thick).
