Football Legend Jerome Bettis & Sanofi US Tackle Anaphylaxis During National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., May 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Professional football icon Jerome Bettis and Sanofi US, the makers of Auvi-Q™ (epinephrine injection, USP), have teamed up to raise awareness about severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and introduce The Severe Allergy & Anaphylaxis Playbook – a collection of tips to help educate people living with severe allergies, and their friends and family, about avoiding allergens and being prepared in case of an emergency. Bettis, who is severely allergic to shellfish, is encouraging others impacted by severe allergies to download the Playbook and use it in addition to the severe allergy treatment plan they develop with their healthcare provider.

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"On the football field it was essential for me to know my plays, and it's no different when it comes to my severe allergy. My game plan is to steer clear of my allergen and in case of accidental exposure, I always carry Auvi-Q, my epinephrine auto-injector, for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions. Auvi-Q fits easily in my pocket and like a coach, talks me through the injection process," said Bettis. "Through my work with Sanofi US, I'm hoping to empower others living with severe allergies to equip themselves with smart defensive tactics."

Whether it's covering sugary drinks to avoid insect stings, asking a waiter about ingredients at a restaurant, or sharing an allergy ID card with a teacher – following a few simple steps may help reduce the risk of a severe allergic reaction. The Severe Allergy & Anaphylaxis Playbook offers these tips and many others, including:

• The Bus' Blitz: Bettis' top five "plays" for defending against a severe allergic reaction
• Knowing Your Next Move: Strategies for avoiding major allergens, such as food, insect stings, latex and other triggers
• Away Game Plan: Advice for potentially challenging situations, such as dining out, picnicking, school and traveling

"Several studies indicate that the rate of anaphylaxis has increased in recent years, highlighting the need for continued education on allergen avoidance and the potential life-saving role of epinephrine," said Dr. Vivian Hernandez-Trujillo, a pediatric allergist, national expert in anaphylaxis and consultant to Sanofi US. "I always stress to my patients and their caregivers how important it is to implement appropriate measures for avoiding allergens and to carry an epinephrine auto-injector at all times."

Auvi-Q (epinephrine injection, USP) is the first-and-only epinephrine auto-injector with audio and visual cues for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions in people who are at risk for or have a history of anaphylaxis. The size and shape of a credit card and the thickness of a smartphone, Auvi-Q is a breakthrough in epinephrine auto-injector design that talks patients and caregivers step-by-step through the injection process.

People can download The Severe Allergy & Anaphylaxis Playbook and learn more about Auvi-Q by visiting www.Auvi-Q.com/Playbook.

For additional information and updates, people are encouraged to visit and "like" Sanofi US' Severe Allergy Awareness Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/SevereAllergyAwareness.

About Auvi-Q
Auvi-Q provides users with audible and visual cues, including a five-second injection countdown and an alert light to signal when the injection is complete. In addition to being an auto-injector, Auvi-Q features an automatic retractable needle mechanism to help prevent accidental needle sticks.

Auvi-Q is available in two dosages. Auvi-Q 0.3mg delivers 0.3mg epinephrine injection and is intended for patients who weigh 66 pounds or more. Auvi-Q 0.15mg delivers 0.15mg epinephrine injection and is intended for patients who weigh 33 – 66 pounds. Auvi-Q has not been studied in patients weighing less than 33 pounds. Each Auvi-Q pack contains two devices – containing one dose of epinephrine each – and a non-active training device. Auvi-Q received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in August 2012.

Eric and Evan Edwards, twin brothers who suffer from life-threatening allergies, and co-founders of Intelliject, Inc., developed Auvi-Q with a team of world class engineers and scientists. The development process incorporated real-world experiences and feedback from patients and caregivers. Sanofi US licensed the North America commercialization rights to Auvi-Q from Intelliject, Inc., which has retained commercialization rights for the rest of the world.

Indication
Auvi-Q (epinephrine injection, USP) is used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) in people who are at risk for or have a history of these reactions.

Important Safety Information
Auvi-Q is for immediate self (or caregiver) administration and does not take the place of emergency medical care. Seek immediate medical treatment after use. Each Auvi-Q contains a single dose of epinephrine. Auvi-Q should only be injected into your outer thigh. DO NOT INJECT INTO BUTTOCK OR INTRAVENOUSLY. If you accidentally inject Auvi-Q into any other part of your body, seek immediate medical treatment. Epinephrine should be used with caution if you have heart disease or are taking certain medicines that can cause heart-related (cardiac) symptoms.

If you take certain medicines, you may develop serious life-threatening side effects from epinephrine. Be sure to tell your doctor all the medicines you take, especially medicines for asthma. Side effects may be increased in patients with certain medical conditions, or who take certain medicines. These include asthma, allergies, depression, thyroid disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

The most common side effects may include increase in heart rate, stronger or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, paleness, dizziness, weakness or shakiness, headache, apprehension, nervousness, or anxiety. These side effects go away quickly, especially if you rest.

Talk to your healthcare professional to see if Auvi-Q is right for you.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please click here for full prescribing information.

For more information about Auvi-Q, visit www.Auvi-Q.com.

About Anaphylaxis
Life-threatening allergic reactions may occur as a result of exposure to allergens including foods such as peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, dairy, eggs, soy and wheat; insect stings; latex and medication, among other allergens and causes.

The signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis can vary from person to person and from one episode to the next. Some people may have hives/itching, facial or tongue swelling, which makes it difficult to breathe or swallow, while others may experience nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may begin within seconds, minutes or hours after exposure to the allergen. The best prevention method for anaphylaxis is avoidance of the specific allergen(s).

When a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction occurs, epinephrine should be administered immediately and patients and caregivers should seek immediate medical attention. Patients and caregivers should always carry and know how to use an epinephrine auto-injector to treat emergency allergic reactions. Without treatment, anaphylaxis can result in death within a matter of minutes.

About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, rare diseases, consumer healthcare, emerging markets and animal health. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi is the holding company of a consolidated group of subsidiaries and operates in the United States as Sanofi US, also referred to as Sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. For more information on Sanofi US, please visit http://www.sanofi.us or call 1-800-981-2491.

SOURCE Sanofi US