WHEN her infant daughter first tried dairy formula, she suddenly began vomiting and broke out in full body hives. Lisa, then a young mom, froze in that moment.
Her child hadn't been thriving while nursing, and now this. Lisa quickly suspected a food allergy, but she was home alone without any epinephrine – and scared for her child.
"It was terrifying," relates Lisa*, who lives in Long Island, New York. "My brain sort of went to mush, I didn't know what to do." She did think to call her husband, a physician. He immediately called 911. Fortunately, the baby's symptoms began subsiding as the ambulance arrived.
This first reaction and her daughter's diagnosis of dairy and other food allergies taught Lisa about the critical need to have a plan for severe allergic reactions. That includes access to epinephrine.
This food allergy mom is among several people with anaphylaxis experience who are lending their voices to a new campaign from AUVI-Q® (epinephrine injection), the voice-guided epinephrine auto-injector. The campaign, AUVI-Q Speaks Up, focuses on making it essential to prepare for anaphylactic reactions. It offers a website filled with resources, including symptom tips, step-by-step epinephrine videos, and checklists for allergic emergencies whether at daycare, college or a restaurant.
Lisa's first child is now a thriving 9-year-old, and she has two younger children. All three have food allergies, with her 4-year-old son having a long list of allergies to cereal grains, dairy, egg, sesame and mustard.
Today, Lisa is ready to manage food allergies. She has an anaphylaxis action plan for each child, and each carries a bag for their AUVI-Q auto-injectors, other medications, and a note listing their allergens. She also gives teachers a sheet from the allergist that explains anaphylaxis symptoms, and when and how to use epinephrine.
Ask your doctor about possible side effects and whether AUVI-Q may be right for you. See the Important Safety Information below.
Allergy Prep: 'A Constant Conversation'
Dr. Vivian Hernandez-Trujillo** is a big advocate for being prepared every day for a severe food-allergic reaction. The Florida allergist finds being a good manager of allergies is empowering. "It means that, if it happens, you can take control of a potentially scary situation."
She talks to her patients about having an anaphylaxis action plan, communicating clearly about their food allergies, and always carrying two epinephrine devices. When she speaks, it's with a trifecta of experience: as an allergist, the mom of two daughters with food allergies, and as a food allergy patient herself.
Dr. Hernandez-Trujillo says food allergy preparation is not a one-time conversation – "it's a constant conversation." With her patients, she regularly reviews symptoms, and how and when to use the patient's specific epinephrine device.
The AUVI-Q Speaks Up campaign is timely, since the need for better preparation in the food allergy community is real. Doctors continuously advise patients to use epinephrine immediately for severe allergy symptoms. Yet the statistics tell another story: a major analysis found only about 26 percent of patients administered epinephrine before arriving at the hospital.
Instead, in the face of significant symptoms – the sign to use epinephrine – people are trying antihistamines or waiting to see if the reaction progresses.
That approach can be dangerous in a potentially life-threatening reaction. Dr. Hernandez-Trujillo reminds that "minutes matter" to get epinephrine. "The standard of care for anaphylaxis is epinephrine," she notes. "There is no alternative in that situation."
Guidance You Can Hear
Dr. Hernandez-Trujillo supports the AUVI-Q Speaks Up campaign for its emphasis on preparation, recognizing symptoms and using epinephrine promptly in a progressing reaction. Not long ago, she witnessed with her own daughter Sophia* how anxious some people can become about using epinephrine when it's needed.
Sophia was starting to have a severe food-allergic reaction to a restaurant meal. She had her AUVI-Q auto-injectors in her purse but felt nervous, because she had never needed to use them before. Since her mom was nearby, she called for help. Dr. Hernandez-Trujillo rushed over and gave her daughter the shot. "She soon told me, 'Mom, I feel so much better.’"
After the injection, Sophia recalls saying: "I now know I can do that, too. And that it's going to help me."
Sophia, who has severe allergies to peanuts and tree nuts, chooses to carry AUVI-Q auto-injectors. A big reason is the voice-guided instructions. "In a stressful situation, that extra guidance helps me," says the Florida college student.
Lisa agrees. As a mom, she found the device’s voice guidance "game-changing". It helps to quell doubts about whether she's administering correctly. "It tells you every step of the way what to do, and the woman's voice is clear and comforting," she says.
In fact, Melissa Chase, the voice of the AUVI-Q, is herself taking part in the AUVI-Q Speaks Up campaign. The broadcasting professional is proud of her unique role, and sometimes teachers or parents even recognize her distinctive voice.
In her 20s, after she'd become "the voice," Melissa took a medication containing sulfites. She surprisingly developed anaphylaxis. Experiencing a first-time severe reaction was eye-opening. "Going through that moment of panic made me understand just how important it is to have access to epinephrine, and something that can guide you through that situation," she says.
College: When Roommates are Ready
The AUVI-Q Speaks Up campaign features stories of those living with severe food allergies, like Josh*, another college student. With allergies to egg, milk, peanut, tree nuts, shellfish and sunflower seeds and oil, being on his own has taught him the importance of preparation and meal planning.
Before he started at the University of Georgia, Josh and his mom met with the head chefs of the campus dining halls about his allergies. The soon-to-be junior has found the UGA dining halls and their system of ingredient labeling very helpful. "Online, they create a label with all the ingredients, so I know beforehand what I can eat," Josh says.
In his sophomore year, his roommates understood his allergies and how to support him. They were mindful about not using his pots and pans, and aware that he carries epinephrine. "All my roommates know what to do in the situation that I can't help myself, and they know how serious the allergies are," he says.
Josh has carried AUVI-Q auto-injectors for a decade, as he strongly prefers a device that fits easily into his pants' pocket (with backups in his backpack). He likes the voice feature, too, especially for friends who might need to assist in a reaction.
Also important is that as children become teens, they need to transition toward managing their own food allergies. For parents of teens, Dr. Hernandez-Trujillo says: "Empower them to be in control. Part of that is surrounding themselves with people who care about them and will help them in a situation of anaphylaxis."
Acting Fast in a Severe Allergic Reaction
Parents of younger kids, through example, can set the table for teen and young adult food allergy management. Remember Lisa in Long Island? With three kids and multiple food allergies, she's now a veteran of both good allergy preparation – and managing severe reactions.
When her 4-year-old son was just shy of his first birthday, her family attended another child's birthday party. There was dairy-free, gluten-free pizza, and everything seemed fine. But Lisa recalls her son "started acting really cranky, which wasn't typical for him." Suddenly she noticed his face and eyes swelling. Soon, his eyes looked almost swollen shut. Somehow he'd encountered one of his allergens.
Lisa did not hesitate. She pulled out her son's AUVI-q® (epinephrine injection) 0.1 mg (the device designed for children between 16.5 pounds to less than 33 pounds), and quickly gave him the injection. As they waited for an ambulance, the boy's breathing improved swiftly, "and then his swelling over time kept getting better," she says.
Prepared for Allergy Dining
Food allergies and anaphylactic experiences affect all ages. Ben*, 26, generally has had good success managing his allergies to dairy, peanut and tree nuts. But in November 2025, he ate pizza that was supposed to be dairy-free. He used his AUVI-Q, then called his family to take him to the ER.
"Everything ended up being OK, but it was a very serious situation," he says. AUVI-Q's voice instructions "walked me through the steps, and that made a huge difference for me."
Ben doesn't let food allergies slow him down, though. In fact, he considers himself a foodie. He has become an influencer, reviewing restaurants on his Instagram page for both their food quality and allergy accommodation. He's telling his story in the Speaks Up campaign, "because I want to help spread awareness and educate people about food allergies."
Ben mostly eats at fast-food and casual places in his home state of Ohio. He first researches restaurants online, through their menus and reviews. Once at a restaurant, he's sure to talk allergies at length with the staff – and always has his epinephrine.
Despite food allergies, Ben is very content that he gets to dine out. Preparation, speaking up and epinephrine make all the difference.
In high school, Sophia and her mom talked through the importance of advocating in her own voice. Today, she considers being vocal part of her food allergy management plan. "An allergy doesn't stop me from being who I am." As long as she's careful to avoid her allergens, have her epinephrine and action plan, "I can do everything that I want to achieve," she says.
Even Lisa's family, with three young children and an armload of allergies, manages to eat out and go to friends' homes. "Being prepared allows us to live our lives," she says. "We don't want it to stop our children from experiencing things." The family has their little bags with the AUVI-Q devices, their other medications – and a card with the children's allergens, which they'll hand off to chefs.
"If, unfortunately, something does go wrong, we know what to do," says the allergy mom. "We're not frozen like I was the first time. We go into action."
All the voices speaking up share Lisa's perspective on this: Accidents can happen. But with food allergies, if you're prepared, you won't be scrambling. Instead, you'll be ready and in control.
AUVI-Q Speaks Up Website
Interested in sharing resources from the AUVI-Q Speaks Up campaign – or even sharing your own story? Do visit the website at: AUVI-Qspeaksup.com. You'll find:
• Food allergy patients' stories and videos.
• Guidance to ensure you're prepared for anaphylaxis – from tips to top resources.
• A sign-up form to stay connected to the campaign and its progress.
• Information about AUVI-Q features and how it's used.
• Details on how to share your story.
This article was supported by Kaléo.
*Full name withheld for privacy.
**Dr. Hernandez-Trujillo is a paid advisor to Kaléo.
Indication and Important Safety Information About AUVI-Q
What is AUVI-Q?
AUVI-Q® (epinephrine injection) is a prescription medicine used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions including anaphylaxis in adults and children who weigh 16.5 pounds or more who are at risk for or have a history of serious allergic reactions. AUVI-Q is for immediate self (or caregiver) administration.
Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about AUVI-Q?
- Always carry two AUVI-Q devices with you because you may not know when a life-threatening allergic reaction may happen. If a second dose of AUVI-Q is needed, it should be given starting 5 minutes after the first. If you need more than 2 doses of epinephrine for a single anaphylaxis episode, more doses must be given by a healthcare provider.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about when it is necessary to get medical care for further treatment of the allergic emergency after using AUVI-Q.
If you have certain medical conditions, or take certain medicines, your condition may get worse or you may have more or longer lasting side effects when you use AUVI-Q.
Before using AUVI-Q, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, especially if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems, kidney problems, history of depression, Parkinson’s disease, or are pregnant (or plan to become pregnant), are breastfeeding (or plan to breastfeed).
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. AUVI-Q and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects.
AUVI-Q may cause serious side effects.
AUVI-Q should only be injected into your outer thigh, through your clothing if necessary. Do not inject AUVI-Q into your veins, buttocks, fingers, toes, hands, or feet. If this occurs, go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away and inform the healthcare provider of the location of the accidental injection.
Rarely, people who use AUVI-Q may get infections at the injection site within a few days of an injection. Some of these infections can be serious. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following at an injection site: redness that does not go away, swelling, tenderness, the area feels warm to the touch.
If you inject a young child or infant with AUVI-Q, hold their leg firmly in place before and during the injection to prevent injuries. Ask your healthcare provider to show you how to properly hold the leg during an injection.
Common side effects of AUVI-Q include: fast, irregular, or ‘pounding’ heartbeat, sweating, shakiness, headache, paleness, feelings of over excitement, nervousness, or anxiety, weakness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, breathing problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of AUVI-Q.
Please see the full Prescribing Information and the Patient Information.
You are encouraged to report side effects to kaleo, Inc. at 1-877-302-8847 or to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
AUVI-Q Speaks UpTM is a trademark, and AUVI-Q® and AUVI-q® are registered trademarks of kaleo, Inc. CM-US-AQ-4085