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BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Sanofi has shipped Auvi-Q, a voice-guided epinephrine auto-injector, to U.S. retail pharmacies.
The company said Auvi-Q represents the U.S. market’s first and only epinephrine auto-injector with audio and visual cues for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions in people who are at risk for or have a history of anaphylaxis.
The size and shape of a credit card and the thickness of a smartphone, Auvi-Q talks patients and caregivers step-by-step through the injection process. Cues include a five-second injection countdown and an alert light to signal when the injection is complete. Auvi-Q also has an automatic retractable needle mechanism to help prevent accidental needle sticks.
Auvi-Q comes in two dosages: Auvi-Q 0.3mg (0.3 mg epinephrine injection) for patients 66 pounds or more, and Auvi-Q 0.15mg (0.15 mg epinephrine injection) for patients between 33 and 66 pounds.
"Patient feedback was a critical component to the development process for Auvi-Q," stated Anne Whitaker, president of North America pharmaceuticals for Sanofi. "The availability of Auvi-Q represents an important step forward in our continued innovation to meet the needs of people at risk for anaphylaxis and their caregivers."
Up to 6 million Americans may be at risk for anaphylaxis, a sudden, severe and possibly lethal allergic reaction. However, many patients and caregivers don’t carry their epinephrine auto-injectors as recommended, and many worry that others will not know how to use their or their child’s epinephrine auto-injector correctly during an emergency.
Life-threatening allergic reactions may occur as a result of exposure to allergens including foods such as peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, dairy, eggs, soy and wheat; insect stings; latex; and medication, among other causes
Sanofi last week introduced the voice-guided epinephrine auto-injector in Canada, where the product is called Allerject.
On Tuesday, Sanofi announced that former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis and food writer/nutritionist Robin Miller have teamed up with Sanofi US to raise awareness of anaphylaxis and spread the word that Auvi-Q is now available by prescription in pharmacies nationwide.
Bettis, who is allergic to shellfish, and Miller, who is allergic to eggs, aim to help educate adults and caregivers of children at risk for severe allergic reactions.
"My mantra is ‘the best defense is a good offense,’ so when I found out about Auvi-Q, I wanted to make sure that people with severe, life-threatening allergies like me know their ‘plays’ — namely, avoid your allergens and always carry an epinephrine auto-injector just in case of accidental exposure," Bettis said in a statement. "Auvi-Q fits easily into my pocket, and I can take it with me wherever I go."
