Anaphylaxis is a serious, systemic hypersensitivity reaction with rapid onset and can be potentially fatal. It is frightening for patients, families and medical providers. Currently, the standard treatment is epinephrine as an injection. At this very moment, we are on the cusp of transforming how we treat severe allergic reactions. If approved by the FDA, a new sublingual form of epinephrine would be the first non-invasive and orally administered epinephrine treatment.

Joining us for this episode is Matthew Greenhawt, MD, the Director of the Food Challenge and Research Unit at Children’s Hospital Colorado. He specializes in allergy and immunology and is also a professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.  

Some highlights from this episode include: 

• The history of epinephrine 
• Fears around needles and using an epi-pen 
• How this new treatment could increase the life-saving capability of epinephrine 
• Next steps to get the sublingual film into use 

For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.