Auvi-Q (epinephrine) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat severe allergic reactions. Auvi-Q comes as an injection that’s given into your thigh.

Auvi-Q is used as needed as an emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. It’s used in adults and children.

If your doctor prescribes Auvi-Q, you should keep the drug on hand at all times in case you experience a serious allergic reaction.

Note: You or someone else should always call 911 or your local emergency number after using Auvi-Q. This is because symptoms of an allergic reaction may return even after you use Auvi-Q.

Auvi-Q basics

The active ingredient in Auvi-Q is epinephrine, which is also called adrenaline. Epinephrine is also available as a generic drug.

Auvi-Q is available as a single-dose auto-injector, which is used to inject a dose into your thigh. You can give yourself a dose of Auvi-Q, or someone else can do it for you.

Keep reading to learn more about Auvi-Q, including information about dosage, cost, and more.

Auvi-Q is used as needed as an emergency treatment for serious allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis. The drug can be used in adults and children who weigh 7.5 kilograms (about 16.5 pounds) or more.

If your doctor prescribes Auvi-Q, you’ll keep the drug on hand at all times in case you experience a serious allergic reaction.

What happens during an allergic reaction

An allergic reaction is caused by your immune system overreacting to a substance it views as harmful. These substances are known as allergens.

Examples of common allergens include:

  • foods, such as nuts and eggs
  • insect venom, such as from a bee sting or ant bite
  • medications
  • latex

An allergic reaction may be mild or severe, and some are even life threatening. For example, anaphylaxis is a kind of severe allergic reaction that’s life threatening if not immediately treated.

Anaphylaxis develops quickly and can affect several different parts of your body. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include:

  • swelling in your lips, tongue, mouth, throat, skin, hands, or feet
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • wheezing
  • dizziness
  • chest pain
  • fast heart rate
  • weak pulse

How Auvi-Q works

When your immune system detects an allergen, it sends signals to alert your body. These signals can cause a range of reactions within your body, such as:

  • widening of blood vessels, which causes a drop in blood pressure
  • tightening of your airways
  • itching or skin rash
  • pain or cramps in your belly

Auvi-Q contains the active drug epinephrine, which is also called adrenaline. Your body naturally makes epinephrine. Epinephrine works to activate your body’s “fight-or-flight response.” This is helpful during an allergic reaction, as it causes:

  • your blood vessels to narrow, which keeps your blood pressure from dropping too low
  • your airways to relax, making it easier to breathe
  • your heart to pump more blood, which keeps your blood pressure from becoming too low

By releasing epinephrine into your body, Auvi-Q helps reverse an allergic reaction.

Like most drugs, Auvi-Q may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Auvi-Q may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Auvi-Q. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Auvi-Q can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Auvi-Q’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Auvi-Q that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Auvi-Q can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Auvi-Q, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Auvi-Q that have been reported include serious infection at the injection site, including necrotizing fasciitis.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Auvi-Q. Although an allergic reaction wasn’t reported in studies of Auvi-Q, it can still happen.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause difficulty breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Auvi-Q. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Auvi-Q that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always use the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strengths

Auvi-Q comes as a solution inside an auto-injector, which is used to give the drug as an injection into your thigh. It’s available in three strengths, which are listed below in milligrams (mg).

  • 0.3 mg
  • 0.15 mg
  • 0.1 mg

Auvi-Q comes in a carton that contains two auto-injectors. Each auto-injector delivers a single dose of the drug. The carton also has a trainer device that contains no medication.

Recommended dosage for severe allergic reaction

Auvi-Q is a drug that you’ll only use as needed for emergency treatment of a severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis.

If you develop symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, you or someone else should immediately give one dose of Auvi-Q by injecting it into your thigh.

Your dosage of Auvi-Q will be based on your weight in kilograms (kg). One kilogram (kg) is equal to about 2.2 pounds (lb).

If you weigh 7.5 to 15 kg (16.5 to 33 lb), your dose will likely be 0.1 mg of Auvi-Q.

If you weigh 15 to 30 kg (33 to 66 lb), your Auvi-Q dose will likely be 0.15 mg.

If you weigh 30 kg (66 lb) or more, your doctor will likely prescribe the 0.3 mg Auvi-Q dose.

For more information about Auvi-Q’s dosage, see this Auvi-Q dosing guide.

How to administer Auvi-Q

Your doctor will explain how and when to use Auvi-Q. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Auvi-Q comes as a single-dose auto-injector. The auto-injector is used to inject a dose of Auvi-Q into your thigh. You can give yourself a dose of Auvi-Q, or someone else can do it for you.

Your doctor will teach you how to use Auvi-Q when you’re prescribed the medication. And the Auvi-Q auto-injector device features a voice that gives you step-by-step instructions for injecting a dose.

You can also find written and video instructions at the drugmaker’s website.

Auvi-Q should be injected into your outer thigh, about halfway between your knee and hip. The injection can be given through clothing.

Auvi-Q should not be injected into your:

  • buttocks
  • hands, fingers, feet, or toes
  • veins

After receiving a dose of Auvi-Q, it’s important that you get emergency medical care. This is because your allergic reaction symptoms could return. After injecting a dose, you or someone else should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If your symptoms are still persistent or severe after one Auvi-Q dose, you may need a second one. But you should never give more than two doses of Auvi-Q without medical supervision.

Questions about Auvi-Q’s dosing

Below are some common questions about Auvi-Q’s dosing.

  • Will I need to use Auvi-Q long term? Yes, you’ll likely need to keep a dose of Auvi-Q on hand at all times if you have a risk of severe allergic reactions. But you’ll only need to give yourself a dose if you have an allergic reaction. It’s not a drug you’ll use every day.
  • How long does Auvi-Q take to work? Auvi-Q begins working immediately to treat symptoms of an allergic reaction. But you or someone else should always call 911 or your local emergency number after using Auvi-Q. This is because symptoms of an allergic reaction may return even after you use Auvi-Q.

Overdose

Do not use more Auvi-Q than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

What to do in case you take too much Auvi-Q

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Auvi-Q. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Before you start using Auvi-Q, there are important things to consider and discuss with your doctor. This includes a discussion of medications you take and medical conditions you have. This helps your doctor check for any interactions with Auvi-Q.

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Auvi-Q, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Auvi-Q.

For information about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings” section.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Auvi-Q can interact with several kinds of drugs. These drugs include:

This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Auvi-Q. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with the use of Auvi-Q.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Auvi-Q is safe to use if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

If you have questions or concerns about using Auvi-Q while pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings

Auvi-Q can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Auvi-Q is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Auvi-Q. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Auvi-Q.

How does Auvi-Q compare with EpiPen?

Auvi-Q and EpiPen (including EpiPen Jr) are similar prescription drugs. They both contain epinephrine as the active ingredient. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) And they’re both used as emergency treatment for an allergic reaction.

But Auvi-Q and EpiPen have a few differences. For example:

  • EpiPen and EpiPen Jr each come in one strength, while Auvi-Q is available in three strengths.
  • The Auvi-Q auto-injector has a voice feature that talks you through how to give a dose; EpiPen also comes as an auto-injector but does not have a voice feature.

To learn more about how these medications compare and whether one might be a better treatment for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What is the price of Auvi-Q with or without insurance?

Like other medications, the price of Auvi-Q with or without insurance can vary depending on a few factors. These include the pharmacy you use and your health insurance coverage (if you have it).

In general, prescription drugs tend to cost more without insurance than with it.

To learn more about the cost you may pay for Auvi-Q with or without insurance, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or health insurance provider (if you have one). Also, see the “Auvi-Q cost and coupons” section to learn about ways you may be able to save on your prescription.

Will my dose of Auvi-Q be based on my weight?

Auvi-Q dosage is based on body weight for anyone who weighs less than 30 kilograms (about 66 pounds). For people who weigh more than this, the dosage is not based on weight. Your doctor will determine what your dosage of Auvi-Q should be.

If you have questions about how your dosage for Auvi-Q is determined, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Auvi-Q. What you’ll pay for Auvi-Q may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.

Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:

  • Cost information and savings coupons: You can visit Optum Perks to get price estimates of what you’d pay for Auvi-Q when using coupons from the site. See the coupon options below. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)
  • Generic form: Auvi-Q is available as the generic drug epinephrine. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know whether generic epinephrine could be an option for you.
  • Savings program: If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. An Auvi-Q copay program and other resources may also be available.

Learn more about saving on your prescriptions.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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