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Epi-Pens & Antihistamines
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by Frawgg on September 19, 2005
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Where & how could I obtain epinephrine & injectable anti-histamines (benadryl). Are there any reliable formularies (as to how many milligrams per kilogram) for people of various weight sizes? I am under the impression that benadryl is used for hemotoxic envenomations and shouldn't be used for neurotoxic envenamations. Is this true? Where can I find a GOOD web-site for my inquiries?
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RE: Epi-Pens & Antihistamines
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by Phobos on September 19, 2005
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All those are available by perscription by your family Doctor with the exception of the injectable Benedryl. He/she most likely will not write a perscription for that. Benedryl elixor works fine. I stock childrens chewables because they travel better. These are only used for symptoms of severe allergic reaction. Just type that or anaphalxis into a search engine to get the symptomology.
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RE: Epi-Pens & Antihistamines
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by Rabies on September 20, 2005
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Antihistamine will be given irrelavent of what type of venom is involved when the possibility of an allergy is there or is happening. The caution with antihistamine is that it can make you drowsy and this can mask (hide) symptoms of neurotoxic poisoning. Epi-pen dosages for adults tend to be 300mcg IM. Its important that its given for life threatening reactions only, ie not itchyness or a rash for this benadryl etc come useful.
John
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RE: Epi-Pens & Antihistamines
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by Cro on September 20, 2005
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I was checking on the price of Epi-Pens, and it seems that they cost around $120.00 each.
That is a small price to pay if it saves someones life from a severe allergic reaction.
However, it is a large price to pay, it it sits for years and is not used, and expires.
Can anyone tell me just how long a Epi-Pen will last if it is not used? Do they have expiration dates stamped on them?
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: Epi-Pens & Antihistamines
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by Phobos on September 20, 2005
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John:
I don't quite get your logic. I pay for my life insurance, Car insurance and Home owners insurance and hope I never have to use any of them. Nice to know I have them if I need them. People spend hundreds of $$ on snakes for their collection, only to have some quickly die. I don't think it's a large price to pay.
The expiration date is stamped on the unit, most likely 3 year shelf life at room temp.
Best,
Al
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RE: Epi-Pens & Antihistamines
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by Cro on September 20, 2005
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Al:
Before I purchase insurance, I compare rates.
If an Epi-Pen costs $120.00 and lasts 3 to 5 years, well, that is $40.00 to $24.00 a year to have it available. That is an acceptable price. But it is information that I like to have before I make the purchase.
It tells me that I could afford one pen for my first aid kit, and not two, and replace it every three or four years.
So the logic is this, I have only so much money to use each month. I do not have health insurance to purchase items like this. Some of my money has to go toward luxuries like food, the mortgage, utility bills, etc.
I do not mind spending money on something like a Epi-Pen that I may never use, as being prepared is an important thing. I have a doctor friend who will write the script. But if the Epi-Pen expired after a year, well, that would be a lot of money to tie up, and would have to be considered more carefully than if it would last three to 5 years.
Hopes this explain my logic some. Basically, $120.00 is a large sum of money to me. It is an ammount that has to be balanced against other expenses.
JohnZ
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RE: Epi-Pens & Antihistamines
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by Phobos on September 21, 2005
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John:
Now that makes sense to me. It's just a matter of perspective. I'm looking at replacing my stock of A/V, it expired. A $3,000 purchase to cover my ass.
Rabies: Rape is illegal but the govenment still allows the drug companies to have their way with us.
Al
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RE: Epi-Pens & Antihistamines
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by Cro on September 21, 2005
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That is the problem with the big pharmaseutical companys in the US. The are greedy crooks, and as Al said, they have the full support of congress. It probably cost them less than one dollar to produce a Epi-Pen. It is why folks are importing prescription drugs from Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
Al, you mentioned that your stock of AV is about to expire. I was wondering just what it is in AV that breaks down to cause it to expire? Is it a denaturing of the protiens? Is any type of preservitave added to AV, as is done in vacinations? Is there any chance that it could be sent back to the manafactuer and somehow recycled or re-certified for active components?
JohnZ
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RE: Epi-Pens & Antihistamines
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by Rabies on September 21, 2005
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Every thing has an expiry date, so you go and buy more. Antivenom has been give succesfully after its run out date. Its important that the antivenom hasn't started to become cloudy or crystals floating etc. Whether over a period of time it loses its potency I have no idea. That's one hefty bill Al, but I suppose it makes sense when your local hospitals dont stock it! How's the antivenom bank coming along?
John
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