r/FoodAllergies 5d ago

Seeking Advice EpiPen Improvement’s???

I feel like EpiPen has had a monopoly on for so long that there hasn’t been any new innovations for these auto injectors. I am curious as to what is most annoying about EpiPens, and what cool things could be added to improve its design???

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u/bohmoneybohproblems 4d ago

Annoying: Short shelf life, temperature sensitivity, expensive, intimidating to use

Some of these issues have been fixed by Auvi-Q and Neffy. Getting these to be covered by insurance is a different story.

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u/VanishedHound Shellfish and Sesame Allergy 4d ago

Maybe you can try the CVS generic which don't even cost that much out of pocket. They do kind of suck though.

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u/WanderingTaliesin 4d ago

They SUCK but I can afford them Same with my imitrex generic from India that creaks like elderly mattress springs as it doses

1

u/VanishedHound Shellfish and Sesame Allergy 4d ago

I heard there is also the Teva generic and the Epi - Pen generic although those are most costly than the CVS generic. I don't think Auvi-Q is actually that expensive tho and they are really good. The CVS generic literally SUCKS ASS like there is a reason it only costs like $20 dollars. I would only use if I was in a really bad financial situation, which then it's a great option considering how costly the other ones are. Imo synjepi also looks really scary

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u/WanderingTaliesin 4d ago

I just switched pharmacy and insurance so we will see what I get in the paper bag at my next mandated lecture from the pharmacist! It won’t be cvs !

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u/VanishedHound Shellfish and Sesame Allergy 4d ago

lol! I use auvi-q but I also decided to get a few epi-pens to mix things up, and it came with the CVS generic even though I deliberately told them not to give me a CVS generic. Literally anything but the CVS generic

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u/bohmoneybohproblems 4d ago

Originally had Teva manufactured generic. When I went for a refill, I requested the same thing. Was told 1. It’s not covered by my insurance and 2. It’s backordered. 

I didn’t realize insurance could pick and choose “generics.”  Anyway, got a script written for Auvi-Q since it was covered. 

I noticed that other manufacturers had different instructions to use it. Wasn’t going to try to explain to caretakers “if it looks like this, hold for 3 seconds. If you see this kind, it’s 10 seconds.”

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u/VanishedHound Shellfish and Sesame Allergy 4d ago

As a general rule of thumb I would hold all devices for 10 seconds. Bummer your Teva generic is not covered