Several epinephrine auto-injectors are in short supply, but an alternative is available, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Supplies of EpiPen, EpiPen Jr. and generic versions of EpiPen and Adrenaclick may vary across pharmacies due to manufacturing issues.
“This is of grave importance to our patients who have anaphylaxis and allergic emergencies,” said Todd A. Mahr, M.D., FAAP, past chair of the AAP Section on Allergy and Immunology Executive Committee, but he added there is no need to panic.
Pediatricians may need to call pharmacies to find out which ones have auto-injectors in stock. They also can prescribe Auvi-Q auto-injectors, which are not available in retail pharmacies, but instead are shipped to patients. Health care providers can get more information about prescribing Auvi-Q at https://www.auvi-q.com/hcp/.
Pfizer, whose subsidiary manufactures EpiPen, said in a statement it expects production to “increase and stabilize over the coming months” and is directing questions to distributor Mylan Specialty L.P. at 800-796-9526.
