Take the Fear Out of Halloween for Kids With Severe Allergies

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ — Halloween is a night for children of all ages as goblins, witches and who-knows-what kind of monsters appear for trick-or-treating and parties. One of our most celebrated and fun holidays can become a real night of terror for some, because of the potential risks for kids who suffer from severe allergies to foods, such as peanuts, tree nuts and milk products that are found in the majority of candy, or latex, which is used for many masks and costumes. Even with careful monitoring, a child with severe allergies may come in contact with the very allergens that can cause anaphylaxis, a severe, life threatening reaction.

Parents of younger children should maintain control of the candy bag while trick or treating and politely refuse home made goodies. They can also make alternative plans to trick or treating such as hosting a costume party.

Teens who no longer socialize under the watchful parental eye, however, are often at even greater risk. When attending Halloween parties and dances, parents need to remind teens to read food labels and avoid unwrapped items. If they are allergic to latex, teens need to take care to avoid flexible masks and costume parts/props, which are often made of latex.

Just as we arm kids with a flashlight for walking along the streets at night, parents also need to ensure their kids are always armed with an epinephrine auto-injector, such as Twinject(R) (epinephrine injection, USP 1:1000), in the event that their child becomes exposed to an allergen.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), epinephrine is the recommended treatment for anaphylaxis. The medical organization’s guidelines also recommend that if your child has been diagnosed with anaphylaxis, you should have an active prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector and the device should be with the child at all times.

The guidelines also recommend carrying more than one dose of epinephrine because anaphylactic reactions may be prolonged; to seek immediate medical care after a reaction; and to be monitored for an appropriate period. Twinject is the only epinephrine auto-injector approved by the FDA that offers two doses in a single device and is the most compact to carry.

Studies have shown that more than one dose of epinephrine may be required, in many situations, to properly treat an allergic reaction, with a second dose often needed within five to 10 minutes after the first(1,2). Furthermore, a recent study demonstrated that only 16 percent of patients carry two single-dose auto-injectors at all times(3).

About Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe, and potentially fatal allergic reaction that can cause a wide range of symptoms, including breathing problems, fainting, rash, and nausea. The most severe type of anaphylaxis — anaphylactic shock — will usually lead to death in minutes if left untreated, due to a rapid constriction of the person’s airway. The most common emergency treatment for severe anaphylaxis is epinephrine, which is the active ingredient of Twinject.

Anaphylaxis is triggered when a person comes into contact with an allergen through skin contact, injection, swallowing, or breathing in fine particles. For these people, their immune system identifies a specific substance (for example, peanuts) to be an allergic trigger, or allergen, and then tries to protect the body from that allergen by creating specific chemicals called antibodies. The next time that person comes in contact with that same allergen, these antibodies identify the allergen, and the immune system responds with an allergic reaction.

About Twinject

About a year ago, Verus Pharmaceuticals launched the Twinject Auto-Injector (epinephrine injection, USP 1:1000), which is the only available product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that contains two doses of epinephrine in a single, compact device. This is an important feature, as published studies demonstrate that more than one dose of epinephrine may be required for approximately one in three patients to properly address the allergic reaction, with the second dose often needed within 5-10 minutes after the first. Furthermore, a recent study demonstrated that only 16% of patients carry two single-dose auto-injectors at all times. More information about anaphylaxis and Twinject is available on Verus’ Twinject website at http://www.twinject.com/.

About Verus

Verus Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to improving the lives of children and those who care for them. Verus is building a portfolio of products for the unmet medical needs of children through acquisitions and alliances, with an initial focus on the treatment of asthma, allergies, and related diseases and conditions. Verus is differentiated by its pediatric orientation and its strong financial position and experienced management team, which allows the company to capitalize on an extensive network to build its product portfolio and pursue complementary transactions. The company’s rigorous, disciplined approach to strategic decision-making and core competencies in development and commercialization is expected to provide significant value to its partners. More information about Verus is available on the company’s corporate website at http://www.veruspharm.com/.

   Verus(R) and Twinject(R) are trademarks of Verus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.    1. Golden DB. Patterns of anaphylaxis: acute and late phase features of      allergic reactions.  Novartis Found Symp. 2004;257:101-110; discussion      110-115, 157-160, 276-85. Review.    2. Vargese M, et al., AAAAI Annual Meeting 2006, Miami, FL March 3-7, 2006    3. Sampson HA, Mendelson LM, Rosen JP.  Fatal and near-fatal anaphylactic      reactions to food in children and adolescents. N Engl J Med.      1992;327:380-384.    Additional information  

Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters; American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. The diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis: an updated practice parameter. Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005;115(3 Suppl):S483-S523.

   Media Contacts:   Amy Caterina, Verus Pharmaceuticals – 858-436-1623,   acaterina@veruspharm.com    Lynn Rubenson for CarryOn Communications – 858-259-8660,   lrubensol@sbcglobal.net    Mark Bennett for CarryOn Communications – 202-256-8824,   markb@carryonpr.com  

Verus Pharmaceuticals

CONTACT: Amy Caterina of Verus Pharmaceuticals, +1-858-436-1623,acaterina@veruspharm.com; or Lynn Rubenson, +1-858-259-8660,lrubensol@sbcglobal.net, or Mark Bennett +1-202-256-8824, markb@carryonpr.com,both of CarryOn Communications, for Verus Pharmaceuticals

Web site: http://www.twinject.com/

Web site: http://www.veruspharm.com/