Alert – Epinephrine Shortage

Brooke Phillips, CWCMS
Editor | Shield HealthCare
01/01/19  10:35 AM PST
epinephrine shortage
Original update by FARE | Modified image courtesy of WikiMedia commons

There’s a national supply shortage of epinephrine auto-injectors. If you’re having trouble finding epinephrine, take these steps so you’re prepared.

UPDATE October 25, 2018:

  • FARE continues to monitor the ongoing national shortage of epinephrine auto-injectors.
  • If you’re unable to fill your prescription, you can:
  • As of October 16, Mylan has Epipen, EpiPen Jr, and their authorized generic presentations on intermittent back order with regular releases.
  • FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education)’s survey shows that most patients who are unable to fill a prescription are being added to a waiting list of two or three weeks.
  • FDA has approved two new companies’ epinephrine alternatives but they are not yet on pharmacy shelves.

Please check back for future updates.


UPDATE September 6, 2018:

AUVI-Q® manufacturer kaléo has announced a national partnership with Walgreens retail pharmacies to make AUVI-Q® 0.15 mg and 0.3 mg available for patients with commercial insurance having difficulty filling a prescription for another brand of epinephrine. FARE encourages anyone who is switching to another brand to view the training videos. More information on the Walgreens program’s eligibility and kaleo’s cost-sharing assistance is available at www.auvi-q.com/getting-auvi-q. kaléo states that current AUVI-Q patients should continue to use home delivery.


UPDATE August 21, 2018:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that, in response to a national shortage of epinephrine auto-injectors, the agency is extending the expiration dates for specific lots of EpiPen (0.3 mg) and the authorized generic (0.3 mg) that have current expiration dates between April 2018 and December 2018. Click here for full update

Epinephrine out of stock?

Visit healthmart.com to find independent pharmacies that may have supply.

Can’t find your brand of epinephrine at a pharmacy near you?

Ask your doctor for another brand. Visit foodallergy.org/epinephrine for options and training.

  • Insurance Appeal Information
  • How to Administer Epinephrine (Training video for Auvi-Q, EpiPen and Adrenaclick Generic)

Have an expired epinephrine auto-injector?

In the absence of a current epinephrine  auto-injector, use an expired dose, then call  911 for follow up medical treatment.

Learn more about FARE’s recommendation that FDA issue guidance on safety of usage of expired epinephrine auto-injectors by nine months in this letter to the FDA from FARE’s Chief Medical Officer and Executive Committee of the FARE Clinical Advisory Board.


Update from FDA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that, in response to a national shortage of epinephrine auto-injectors, the agency is extending the expiration dates for specific lots of EpiPen (0.3 mg) and the authorized generic (0.3 mg) that have current expiration dates between April 2018 and December 2018. A list of the affected lot numbers is on the FDA website.  The FDA has reviewed stability data provided by Pfizer and has concluded that patients should have confidence in using the products from these particular lots. The list may be expanded to additional lots as more data becomes available. The extension of expiration dates is also consistent with FARE’s recent recommendation to FDA, sent by FARE’s Chief Medical Officer and the Executive Committee of the FARE Clinical Advisory Board.

The extension of the expiration dates does NOT apply to the EpiPen Jr. (0.15 mg) or its authorized generic (0.15 mg). Patients should continue to adhere to the manufacturer’s expiry date on the label. If you have questions about your / your child’s prescribed epinephrine auto-injector, please contact a medical professional for advice. Pfizer has released a statement projecting that they will be able to stabilize supply in the fourth quarter of 2018. In the absence of a current epinephrine auto-injector, use an expired dose, then call 911 for follow up medical treatment.

Learn more about FARE’s recommendation that FDA issue guidance on safety of usage of expired epinephrine auto-injectors by nine months in this letter to the FDA from FARE’s Chief Medical Officer and Executive Committee of the FARE Clinical Advisory Board.

Epinephrine Shortage in the News

Read original update by FARE Food Allergy Research & Education

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