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What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may result in difficulty breathing, heart attack, and death.1-3 Reactions are most commonly caused by allergies to food such as peanuts and seafood, drugs like penicillin and aspirin, and insect stings from bees or wasps.1,4

Common causes of anaphylaxis

There are a number of things that can cause anaphylaxis:

  • Food allergies (caused by peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, milk, eggs)1
    • Food allergies account for 35% to 55% of all cases of anaphylaxis
  • Insect stings (often associated with bees, wasps, hornets)4
    • In the United States, at least 40 people die each year as a result of insect stings
    • It is estimated that potentially life-threatening systemic reactions to insect stings occur in 0.4% to 0.8% of children and 3% of adults
  • Drug allergies (caused by penicillin, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)1
    • Penicillin is the most common cause of drug-induced anaphylaxis
  • Latex allergies (caused by gloves, catheters, adhesives, tourniquets, and anesthesia equipment)1
    • Higher-risk groups include healthcare workers, children with spina bifida and genitourinary abnormalities, and those with occupational exposure to latex
  • Exercise (associated factors include aspirin, NSAIDs, or food ingestion before or after exercise)1
    • Patients with exercise-induced anaphylaxis should carry epinephrine and MedicAlert® identification of their condition

Learn about the symptoms of anaphylaxis.

Indication

Adrenaclick® (epinephrine injection, USP) is indicated in the emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions (Type I) including anaphylaxis to stinging insects (e.g., order Hymenoptera, which includes bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fire ants), and biting insects (e.g., triatoma, mosquitos), allergen immunotherapy, foods, drugs, diagnostic testing substances (e.g., radiocontrast media), and other allergens, as well as anaphylaxis to unknown substances (idiopathic anaphylaxis) or exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

Adrenaclick® is intended for immediate administration in patients with a history of anaphylactic reactions. Selection of the appropriate dosage strength is determined according to patient body weight. Such reactions may occur within minutes after exposure and consist of flushing, apprehension, syncope, tachycardia, thready or unobtainable pulse associated with a fall in blood pressure, convulsions, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps, involuntary voiding, wheezing, dyspnea due to laryngeal spasm, pruritus, rashes, urticaria, or angioedema.

Important Safety Information about Adrenaclick®

Adrenaclick® should only be injected into the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. Accidental injection into the hands or feet may result in loss of blood flow to the affected area and should be avoided. DO NOT INJECT INTO BUTTOCK. DO NOT INJECT INTRAVENOUSLY.

Epinephrine should be administered with caution to patients with cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery or organic heart disease, or hypertension. In patients with coronary insufficiency or ischemic heart disease, epinephrine may precipitate or aggravate angina pectoris as well as produce ventricular arrhythmias. It should be recognized that the presence of these conditions is not a contraindication to epinephrine administration in an acute, life-threatening situation.

Adverse reactions to epinephrine include transient, moderate anxiety; apprehensiveness; restlessness; tremor; weakness; dizziness; sweating; palpitations; pallor; nausea and vomiting; headache, and/or respiratory difficulties.

The effects of epinephrine may be potentiated by tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, sodium levothyroxine, and certain antihistamines, notably chlorpheniramine, tripelennamine, and diphenhydramine.

Adrenaclick® is designed as an emergency supportive therapy only and is not a replacement or substitute for immediate medical care.

Since the dose of epinephrine delivered from Adrenaclick® is fixed, the physician should consider other forms of injectable epinephrine if doses lower than those available from Adrenaclick® are felt to be necessary (e.g., patients who weigh less than 15 kilograms, approximately 33 pounds).

IN ALL CASES, THE PHYSICIAN SHOULD INSTRUCT THE PATIENT AND/OR ANY OTHER PERSON WHO MIGHT BE IN A POSITION TO ADMINISTER THE EPINEPHRINE, IN THE PROPER USE OF Adrenaclick®.

Click here for full Prescribing Information for Adrenaclick®

For more information about Adrenaclick® ask your doctor or call 1-888-894-6528. Ask your doctor if Adrenaclick® may be right for you.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Go to www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.