Allergens Used to Treat and Prevent Coronavirus Disease

With the increase in Coronavirus Disease cases, comes an increase in use of hand sanitizers, as well as demand for them. For sometime a few manufactures have been producing hand sanitizes using almond oil. Now with a sudden increase in demand for hand sanitizers, distilleries are now switching some or all of their production to hand sanitizers. Many of these liquor manufactures are adding glycerin, aloe vera oil, coconut oil or even almond oil to their sanitizes in a race to combat Coronavirus Disease. These products are being fast tracked for production, some are being distributed to medical clinics, hospitals and first responders.

Hand Sanitizers That Contain Nut Oils

Even for the typical cold and flu products can contain nuts such as Nasel Poducts That Contain Nut Oils and Throat Spray That Contain Nuts.

More Products That Contain Allergens That May Be in Demand During This Crisis
Inhales With Milk in Them
Respirator Kits That Contain Banana Oil
Corn in Medical Supplies

Allergy Emoji

REACTINE Canada petitioning for the creation of the first allergy emoji

The emoji represents environmental allergies (not food/ drug allergies), as a person who is allergic to grass, some trees and plants I can relate to this emoji.

The Weather Network has been promoting the emoji YouTube AD: If you suffer from THIS, a new emoji may be coming out that's just for you Reactine Canada, buys air time with The Weather Network.

See Also:
Stuff made From Dandelions
Drugs and over Counter Medications Made From Drugs
Allergy Images/ Posters (free to use copy, save print)

Cost of Epipens in New Zealand

An EpiPen costs about NZ $120.00 (As of June 23, 2017 NZ$120.00 = 87.39 US Dollars or 116.01 Canadian Dollars)

The cost of many medicines and medical devices are covered in New Zealand through their public health system. Pharmaceutical Management Agency (PHARMAC) funds access to pharmaceuticals for New Zealanders. The drugs that are approved are available with a prescription for a NZ$5 charge (for children under 13 they are free). Medicines that aren’t fully subsidized will cost more, due to the rules around tendering. In New Zealand when no competition exists often the drug is not covered by the New Zealand government.

Tendering is a process in which government, as payer, negotiates the lowest price for a pharmaceutical. PHARMAC asks pharmaceutical suppliers to provide pricing proposals for off-patent medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

In New Zealand, the EpiPens are not funded by Pharmaceutical Management Agency (PHARMAC) so cost people between $NZ120 and $NZ200 per pen per year. Allergy New Zealand CEO Mark Dixon said local allergy sufferers had been watching developments in the US with concern.

In the United States many Americans go to Canada to buy Epipens for $120- $130.



Sources and Articles Related to this Issue:
Paying for healthcare services
Allergy NZ on edge over EpiPen price hike
Could an EpiPen price boost happen in New Zealand?
Doctors add to calls for EpiPen funding
Better Pharmacare Coalition Cost Tendering The case for generic drug tendering
PHARMAC tender reveals vibrant market for pharmaceuticals
EpiPen New Zealand

Inhalers For Pneumonia

I am getting over pneumonia, I am recovering slowly, but doing much better. I was prescribed two puffers and an antibiotic. This may not be the right treatment for everyone with pneumonia. I have a history of childhood asthma and am sometimes prescribed an inhaler with cold virus induced asthma. SEE YOUR DOCTOR! We are fortunate to have a fairly good insurance plan. I am well aware many do not, I am also thankful for Canada's controls on prices of pharmaceuticals, as many Americans are very concerned with the price of drugs, not that everything is perfect in Canada.

TEVA-SALBUTAMOL HFA 100UG (inhaler)
SALBUTAMOL 100MCG
Before Insurance: $17.49
Customer Pays: $0.99

FLOVENT HFA 250MCG (inhaler)
FLUTICASONEPROP 250MCG
Before Insurance 108.72
Customer Pays $22.17

Chemurgy and Allergens
Inhalers With Milk in Them

Avoiding Milk Protein
Prescriptions and Over the Counter Medications Containing Nuts

Prescriptions and Over the Counter Medications Containing Sesame

Buying Cheaper Epipen(s) In Canada

Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose in Medications

Pharmaceutical grade lactose can contain small amounts of milk protein, this may be a problem for some milk allergic individuals. Here are some examples of pharmaceutical grade lactose products that are being used in medications:

Lactose Names In Medications:
Anhydrous Lactose
What is Anhydrous Lactose
Anhydrous lactose is often found as an inactive ingredient in different medications. It can be used as a filler to help increase the size of a capsule or tablet; it can also be added to dry powder inhalers to help propel the medications. Anhydrous lactose is particularly useful because it contains no water, which means that it will not react with medications that are sensitive to moisture. Anhydrous lactose may also be used as a coating for pills because of its mildly sweet taste.

Dry Milk Powder
Dry Milk Powders and spray dried lactose are mostly found in inhalers.
Inhalers With Milk Protein in Them (Chemurgy and Allergens post)

FlowLac 100
FlowLac 100
The product FlowLac® is produced by spray-drying a suspension of fine milled alpha-lactose monohydrate crystals in a solution of lactose. When lactose in solution is spray-dried, a rapid removal of water is taking place, whereby amorphous, non-crystalline lactose is formed in addition to crystalline lactose. Based on the amorphous content, kept on a stable level, non-varying better tabletting properties can be reached.

Lactose Anhydrous
Lactose Spray-Dried
Lactose Monohydrate
Lactose Monohydrate Impalpable
Lactose Hydrous
Lactose Anhydrous Lactose Anhydrous Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
Lactose (C12H22O11) is milk sugar. It is a disaccharide composed of one galactose and one glucose molecule. In the pharmaceutical industry, lactose is used to help form tablets because it has excellent compressibility properties. It is also used to form a diluent powder for dry-powder inhalations. Lactose may be listed as lactose hydrous, lactose anhydrous, lactose monohydrate, or lactose spray-dried

Lactopress
Lactopress Anhydrous Crystals
DOMO (Now DFE Pharma) offers a wide range of anhydrous lactose products which includes lactopress anhydrous crystals. It is well suited for formulations containing moisture sensitive drugs, due to the absence of crystal water.

Tablettose
Tablettose
Tablettose, especially designed for Direct-Compression, combines the flowability of coarse lactose crystals and the good compressibility of fine milled lactose

Recaldent (made From milk protein)
Recaldent
Recaldent is used in chewing gum, oral care products both over the counter and products used by dentists, in a dental office.
Chemurgy post: Dairy in Oral Care Products

More Information From Avoiding Milk Protein:
Non Food Products That Contain Milk
Allergens in Drugs, Over-the-Counter Medications and Treatments

Chemurgy and Allergen Posts:
Vaccines That Contain Dairy
Inhalers With Milk Protein in Them
Dairy in Oral Care Products

New Epinephrine Injectors

New Epineprine Injectors From Oval Medical, Wind Gap Medical, Emerade and an EpiBracelet are in development, testing phases.

Case MD
Case.MD
Case.MD is combining emergency medicine into the convenience of your smartphone case. Their first product is the Epi-Case, a fully functioning dual epinephrine auto-injector smartphone case that works and acts just like an EpiPen.
Article
Students Turn Smartphone Cases Into Lifesaving Medical Devices

Allergy Stop Now
Allergy Stop Now
Condensing an epinephrine injection device into a palm-sized carrying case for easy portability on a keychain or belt loop. Offering custom needle lengths and medication doses based on body mass index (BMI).

Imprimis Pharmaceuticals (NEW)
Imprimis plans to offer $100 EpiPen
The cost of an Epipen's main ingredient is 'less than a Big Mac', says pharmaceuticals boss who wants to sell one for less than $100
Imprimis: A Miracle or Just a Press Release?


Mylan (US)
Mylan announces cheaper generic EpiPens amid price-gouging accusations (article)

Oval Medical Oval Medical Technologies is developing next-generation autoinjectors including an ultra-portable epinephrine injector. The pictures on their website look like this device will be a great alternative to current epinephrine injectors, it being so much smaller. My feeling is that it would be less scary to use for many who might be needle shy, and that many teens will be more willing to carry it being a smaller design.

- At 93mm x 29.75mm x 16mm, the slimline Oval Medical device easily fits in one hand
- Currently focused on addressing regulatory trials followed by a product launch in about 2019 (UK)

News Article on Oval Medical
Oval Medical anti-allergy device wins acclaim
Press Release From Oval Medical
Oval Medical adrenaline auto-injector wins praise
from allergy sufferers and healthcare professionals

AdrenaCard
Adreacard Uo Creates EpiPen alternative That Fits in your Wallet (article)


WindGap Medical
Wind Gap Medical
"Windgap Medical is developing healthcare products that meet the demands of your lifestyle" This product promises extended shelf life and thinner design.

New Amazing Epinephrine injectors You Need to Know About

Elevator Pitch
WindGap Medical
"WindGap Medical’s patient and clinician surveys show that the EpiPen is bulky and awkward to carry, especially for children. It has tight temperature storage requirements of 68-77°F and will rapidly degrade outside of that range. Through patent-pending microfluidics and miniaturization, our product is as small as a USB drive, intuitive to use, and extends the storage temperature range out to 32-105°F."

News Articles That Talks about Wind Gap Medical's New Product
Watch out, EpiPen:
A better auto-injector for severe allergies is in the works
How One Startup Plans to End the EpiPen Monopoly

Adis Pharmaceuticals
Adis Pharmaceuticals
News Release Adamis Pharmaceuticals Announces FDA Acceptance of Resubmission of Its Epinephrine Pre-Filled Syringe NDA


Emerade Emerade Emerade is an adrenaline auto-injector used for the emergency treatment of severe acute allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to foods, medicines or insect stings. It can also be used for exercise induced anaphylaxis. If you experience anaphylaxis, use your Emerade immediately. Emerade is a Prescription only Medicine

The EpiBraclet
Less is known about this, I'm curious who makes it, what stage of testing it is in, and IF it is still in development. It does have teen appeal but the design is so different from current injecting epinephrine designs, I am less enthusiastic about this product.

Blog Article That Talks about the EpiBracelet:
The EpiBracelet
–a Wearable, Portable and Fashionable Automatic Epinephrine Injection Device
Slide Show on Anaphylaxis end of slide show talks about the EpiBraclet

G2B Pharma
Product Focus:
"Our primary product candidate, G2B011, is a nasal spray formulation of epinephrine for the treatment of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction that affects tens of millions of people worldwide. Common causes of anaphylactic reactions include food allergies and bee stings. Epinephrine is the gold standard for treatment of anaphylaxis and is currently provided for self-administration by injection. The company believes that nasal administration offers an effective and more patient-friendly delivery route for this life-saving medication".

Blog Post By Grateful Foodie on Nasal Epinephrine Products

Summary:
Even with new auto injector designs in trail and testing phases, most don't expect these to reach the market for years. If they are fairly priced the end of EpiPen monopoly will hopefully bring prices down for all epinephrine injectors.

FDA Rejections:
In March, generics giant Teva Pharmaceuticals told investors that its generic version of EpiPen was rejected by the FDA, and that it wouldn't be able to launch the generic until at least 2017. Adamis Pharmaceuticals reported a similar rejection from the FDA for its EpiPen generic in June. Source

See Also:
Cost of EpiPen How Much Do You Pay
Carrying Containers For Auto-Injectors and Other Allergy Meds
Buying EpiPens From Canada

Cost of EpiPens How Much Do You Pay?

I really have to wonder about the cost of EpiPens. Why are they so expensive? Why do they cost less in Canada? I'm Canadian and I was quoted $99.99 for an adult EpiPen (May, 2015) that would be $1 -20$ after most insurance claims. Yet some Americans not qualified for insurance/ discount programs are charged around $300 or more Not everyone qualifies for the $0 co-pay offered. UPDATE: Another price increase happened in 2016.

In general I thought the costs of drugs have gone up because of costs of research, development, and testing before a drug can reach the market. The inventor of the EpiPen Sheldon Kaplan (who never got a penny in royalties) has largely been forgotten by history. The actual medicine in an EpiPen costs pennies.

The cost of the drug epineprine is really cheep as drugs go.

Why Are Drug Costs So High in the United States? The above link claims many companies spend more on marketing than research and development. The above article also talks about negotiations between insurers and drug companies in the section on Chicken or Egg Who is most to blame insurers or drug companies? was most interesting!

Anaphylactic Sticker Shock
How Smart Marketing Transformed EpiPen Into a Billion Dollar Product

Mylan’s EpiPen price increases are Valeant-like in size, Shkreli-like in approach

Absurdly Expensive EpiPens Are Driving Families to Dangerous Lengths

Here's why EpiPen prices have skyrocketed

Patented Medicine Prices Review Board help keep prices lower in Canada (for most drugs). My understanding is that some States have tried similar things, but nothing has come of it.

See Also:
History of Allergies
Allergens in Drugs and Over-the-Counter Medications and Treatments

From Avoiding Milk Protein:
Order Nut Free Food Products From Canada and Buying Epipen(s) In Canada

Drug Switch Could Cause Allergen In Medications

Generic Drug Switch by Shoppers Outrages Parents

"Although the active and non-active ingredients listed for generic versions of Strattera are the same, doctors say autistic patients can react badly to even a slightly different amount or combination of fillers, used by different manufacturers".

"Because the B.C. government is billed directly for Robert’s drugs, there was no price or drug name on the package the parents picked up from Shoppers. To protect patients' privacy, there is only a bar code on the label attached to the bag".

Fillers in medication can include allergens (not necessarily true of above article) This could mean a parent or person makes sure their medication does not contain lactose (that has milk protein in it) only to have the pharmacist switch to a medication that contains lactose or other allergens, could become a problem. As always be clear when talking to doctors and pharmacist, read packaging and call manufacturer with more questions.

Samples of Drugs That Contain Allergens (starting point only)

Prescriptions, Over-the-Counter Medications and Treatments Containing Egg (NEW)

Prescriptions, Over-the-Counter Medications and Treatments Containing Nuts

Prescriptions, Over-the-Counter Medications and Treatments Containing Coconut

Prescriptions, Over-the-Counter Medications and Treatments Containing Sesame

All too many drugs contain milk/dairy/lactose and/ or corn they are in almost every medication.

My Story Milk In Your Inhaler
Caution: CVS Pharmacy Providing Incorrect Medication Ingredients

Hormone Treatments Containing Peanut Oil

Hormone treatments for menopausal and trans* people can contain peanut oil. A common medication for Female to Male (FTM) people is Sustanon.

See Hormone and Menopause Treatments Containing Nuts

On line drug stores have increased, these drug stores usually do not have access to medical records and often don't ask about allergies, in fairness some do. Some online businesses specialize in hormone medications for trans* people. Often these are used by people who are denied hormone treatments, by family or doctors. In some cases trans* young people resort to buying hormones secretly on line due to unsupportive parents.

As more nut allergic people become old enough to make decisions about how they express their gender, they might also seek treatments for their gender identity including hormones. These people need to be aware of hormone treatments that contain peanut oil, as well as menopausal women who may also want to have hormone treatments.

I am not as concerned about trans* people who receive treatments from doctors who specialize in transgender treatments, as they tend to be aware of this issue, and can recommend nut free treatments. Most doctors are not aware of how many medications contain nuts (or other allergens). People who go to a pharmacist at a pharmacy, are more likely to ask questions. The pharmacist should be willing to contact manufacturer on your behalf. Some of these hormonal medications (that contain nuts) are marketed for menopausal women such as Prometrium, Progynon Depot and Sustanon.

I am not aware of any trans* people who have had reactions from injecting peanut oil into themselves, but I wonder how public a trans* person would want to be, about their reaction, or how they came into contact with peanut oil. UPDATRE I read about a young person online who has a reaction after making this post.

Many drugs contain allergens, almost all medications contain corn, here are some drugs that contain nuts, sesame oil and coconuts.

More Types of Medications and Treatments That Contain Nuts
Teething Products That Contain Nut Oils
Breastfeeding Nipple Creams With Nut Oils
Birthing Items That Contain Nuts
Chest Rubs With Nut Oils
Eczema Treatments That Contain Nuts
Poison Ivy Treatments That Have Nut Oils
Hemmorrhoid Treatments Containing Nuts
Cold Sore Treatments That Contain Nuts
Wart Treatments Made With Nut Oils
Ear Drops Containing Nuts
Cradle Cap Products With Nut Oils
Lice Treatments That Contain Nuts

Milk in Your Inhaler

One of my most popular posts is Avoiding Milk Post:
Milk in Your inhaler See also Milk Proteins and Allergy Mediations

Advair Disks contain milk www.advair.com

Flovent Disks contain milk, used to treat asthma
http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_flovent.pdf (anaphylactic reactions to milk reported)

Oxeze Tubuhaler contains milk
http://www.astrazeneca.ca/documents/ProductPortfolio/OXEZE_PM_en.pdf (page 28 this document)

Lots of prescription and over the counter drugs contain lactose, even medical grade lactose contains small amounts of milk protein. The above is not a complete list, call manufacture to make sure your medications do not contain your allergen.

See Also Presciptions and Medications Containing Nuts
Caution: CVS Pharmacy Providing Incorrect Medication Ingredients

Milk In Your Inhaler

I am getting over a chest infection, and was prescribed an inhaler. Reading through all the information I found that the inhaler has lactose it it, and that it may contain milk protein.

A few years ago my allergic child was prescribed an inhaler for the first and only time. I asked the doctor if it was milk free, he said yes. I also asked the doctor to write "or dairy free equivalent" on the script but he refused.

I asked the pharmacist he looked it up in his active and inactive ingredients In the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS), In the states its called Physician's Desk Reference, it also said the drug was milk free.

I insisted he also call the company because I read things on line about some inhalers having milk in them, good thing I did, because they said the inhaler had milk in it. I went through the channels and got another inhaler that was milk free. Due to my doctor not writing "or dairy free equivalent", I had to wait for the pharmacist to call the doctor and get permission to get a another drug for my child


Update:The PDR and CPS now BOTH list lactose being in some inhalers.

I read from the Allergy Asthma Information web site this article Milk Proteins and Allergy Medications. It is well worth a read, and doing our own research as well.


More Information:

Inhalers With milk in Them

Caution: CVS Pharmacy Providing Incorrect Medication Ingredients

Drugs Containing Allergens Compairing Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS) Physician's Desk Reference (PDR

Prescriptions, Over-the-Counter Medications and Treatments Containing Egg

Prescriptions, Over-the-Counter Medications and Treatments Containing Nuts

Prescriptions, Over-the-Counter Medications and Treatments Containing Coconut

Prescriptions, Over-the-Counter Medications and Treatments Containing Sesame

All too many drugs contain milk/dairy/lactose and corn in some form is in almost every medication.