Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/828387
The EpiPen Dilemma Say Goodbye to Sugary Drinks Drinking one 20-oz. cola is comparable to consuming about 16 sugar packets at once. EpiPen® devices counteract anaphylaxis, or life-threatening allergic reactions. As these devices have become more expensive, many families are looking for EpiPen alternatives. Erika Gonzalez- Reyes, M.D., answers your questions about your options. Q: Why has the EpiPen dominated the market? A: EpiPens are easy to use. When you are a parent watching your child experience an allergic reaction, your nerves are up, and you want to reach for a device that requires minimal effort to administer. EpiPen dominated the market because, until recently, it was one of the only consistently available auto-injectors. Q. Why the sudden price increase? A: EpiPens have increased in price for the last five years. Consumers noticed when they started paying higher insurance deductibles and the price reached around $600 for an EpiPen two-pack last year. Once consumers voiced concerns about the high price and gained media attention, the EpiPen manufacturer offered rebate programs to help offset the cost, and more options appeared on the market. Q. Do safe alternatives exist? A: Absolutely. A generic form of epinephrine is available in the form of the Adrenaclick® auto-injector, as well as a generic version of the EpiPen itself that is less expensive. Another option, the AUVI-Q® auto-injector, even walks you through administering the drug. Since every auto-injector works differently, get trained on how to use it before filling your prescription. Q. What if you have trouble obtaining a safe epinephrine alternative? A: If you are told you need an epinephrine auto-injector and have problems obtaining one, visit your primary care provider or allergist. They can find ways to get this life-saving medicine into your hands. Call (210) 704-2187 to schedule an appointment at the Allergy and Asthma Clinic at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio. What your child washes dinner down with can have as big an impact on health as dinner itself. Sugar-filled drinks have long been linked to the high rates of obesity in children as well as the growing trends of Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and even heart disease. Julie La Barba, M.D., FAAP, medical director of The Children's Hospital of San Antonio's Culinary Health Education for Families (CHEF) program, offers the following four quick tips for reducing the amount of sugary beverages your child consumes: "Ultimately, parents hold the power to nix sugary drinks from the home and help their children consume fewer empty calories," Dr. La Barba says. "By teaching them healthy dietary habits now, you're helping them learn to make healthy choices later on in life, too." Julie La Barba, M.D., FAAP Beware of fruit juices. While some believe they offer more nutrients than a soda, they usually contain more sugar and calories. Wean with water. As you cut back on sugary drinks, encourage your child to drink water during the times when he or she would normally have a soft drink. Define dessert. Offer your child the option of a sugary drink only in place of ice cream or a cookie, and keep the dessert options limited to special occasions, rather than every day. Thinking of sugary drinks like this helps reinforce their place as an occasional treat. Need help getting your child's diet on track? Call (844) 778-KIDS (5437) or visit chofsa.org/findadoc to find a health care provider near you. 8 Forever First | Spring 2017 • To find a physician, call (844) 778-KIDS.