Epipen Auto Injector 0.3mg & Junior 0.15mg
Anaphylaxis
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Epipen Auto Injector 0.3mg & Junior 0.15mg
Anaphylaxis
Medication features
EpiPen auto injector is an injectable emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis. It contains adrenaline, which is designed to be administered only in an emergency situation.
- EpiPen Auto-Injector provides life-saving emergency treatments for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
- For use in emergency medical situations only
- Acts quickly to treat allergic anaphylactic reactions
Overview
NOTE: After selecting this product, you will need to complete a short assessment, so we can make sure this medication is suitable for you. Pricing is provided as a reference only. The final decision on issuing this medication remains with our Prescriber / Pharmacist.
EpiPen auto injector is a life saving medication which is used in emergency situations to treat very severe allergic reactions.
The auto injector contains adrenaline (epinephrine), which counteracts the dangerously low blood pressure and other symptoms of anaphylactic reaction.
Adrenaline (epinephrine) causes the blood vessels to constrict and opens the airways of the lungs to make breathing easier. You can buy an Epipen auto injector online at Pharmacy Online, through our online clinic service.
Both Epipen 0.3mg & Epipen Junior 0.15mg are available.
FAQ
EpiPen Training Video
How to use an EpiPen
Educational Risk Minimisation Materials to help reduce the risk associated with using this medicine.
How to use an epinephrine auto injector
It’s extremely important that you know how to correctly use your EpiPen, especially if you’re at high risk of anaphylactic shock due to a severe allergy.
You should also tell your family, friends or colleagues how to use the EpiPen, and where you store it, so they’re prepared in an emergency, when healthcare professionals aren't available.
In the event of insect stings, you should try to remove the stinger with your fingernails but do not squeeze, pinch or push it deeper into the skin. If possible, you should put an ice pack on the area of the sting to reduce swelling.
For allergic reactions caused by food, remove any remaining food from your mouth immediately.
Each EpiPen Auto-Injector will deliver one 0.3mg dose of adrenaline. Sometimes, a single dose may not be enough to reverse the effects of anaphylaxis and you may need to administer a second injection within 5-15 minutes after the first injection. For this reason, you should carry two EpiPens with you at all times, just in case you need a second dose.
To administer the Epipen auto injector
Hold the EpiPen by the middle, never by the ends. Never put your thumb, fingers, or hand over the orange tip, and do not remove the blue safety cap until you’re ready to use the EpiPen.
Follow the instructions below on how to correctly use an EpiPen in the case of a severe allergic reaction.
If emergency medical help isn't available:
- Hold the EpiPen in your dominant hand with your thumb nearest the blue cap. Form a fist around the EpiPen with the orange tip facing down.
- With the other hand, pull off the blue safety cap.
- Hold the EpiPen at a distance of approximately 10 cm away from the outer thigh. The orange tip should point towards the outer thigh. Note: you don’t need to remove clothing to administer the pen into the thigh.
- Jab the EpiPen firmly into the outer thigh at a right angle and listen for a click.
- Hold firmly against the thigh for 3 seconds - the injection is now complete and the window of the injector should be obscured.
- The EpiPen should then be removed and safely discarded. The orange needle cover will extend to cover the needle.
- Dial 999 for an ambulance and state anaphylaxis. When paramedics arrive, make sure you tell a healthcare professional that an EpiPen has been administered.
In the case of an overdose or an accidental injection of adrenaline, your blood pressure may rise sharply and you will need to seek immediate medical assistance.
You must never reuse an EpiPen, even if there appears to be medicine left in the injector. If you need to administer another injection, you must use a new one.
What are the symptoms of anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis, commonly referred to as an anaphylactic shock, is a severe and life-threatening type of allergic reaction.
It is a medical emergency and you must call 999 if you or someone else suddenly starts to display the following symptoms:
- Feeling lightheaded or faint
- Breathing difficulties (such as fast or shallow breathing)
- Wheezing
- A fast heartbeat
- Clammy skin
- Confusion and anxiety
- Collapsing or losing consciousness
In some cases, these symptoms may be accompanied by other allergy symptoms depending on the trigger.
These may include:
- Itchy, raised rash (hives)
- Feeling or being sick
- Swelling of the lips, throat, tongue hands or feet
- Stomach pain
These symptoms will occur within minutes of exposure to an allergen. If you or someone else has these symptoms, you should follow these steps:
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector like an EpiPen if you have one, providing you know how to use it correctly.
Call 999 for an ambulance immediately, even if symptoms start to ease. Tell the operator that you suspect anaphylaxis/allergic emergency. - Remove any trigger if possible, such as an insect stinger stuck in the skin.
- The person suffering from anaphylaxis should lie down flat unless they’re unconscious, pregnant, or having breathing difficulties. Unconscious patients should be placed on their side in the recovery position.
- Use the adrenaline injection again after 5 to 15 minutes if symptoms do not improve.
Side Effects
Like all medicines, an EpiPen could cause possible side effects. Despite this, adrenaline injections are life-saving emergency treatments and should always be used in the case of anaphylaxis if possible.
Some side effects may include:
- Irregular heartbeat (including palpitations or rapid heartbeats)
- High blood pressure
- Sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Paleness
- Headache or dizziness
- Hypertension
- Weakness
- Tremor
- Apprehension, nervousness, or anxiety
- Cardiomyopathy (rare)
Other
Warnings
There are no known reasons as to why anyone should not use an EpiPen during a life-threatening allergic reaction. This is a life-saving anaphylaxis treatment that is incredibly important in preventing death during an anaphylactic shock. It is important, of course, to only use an EpiPen in the event of a serious allergic reaction.
You should take special care with your EpiPen and speak to your doctor or PharmacyOnline.co.uk pharmacist for advice about possible drug interactions if:
- You have heart disease - EpiPen may affect the medicines you are taking or bring on an attack of chest pain (angina).
- You have an overactive thyroid.
- You have high blood pressure.
- You have diabetes.
- You are elderly, pregnant, or weigh less than 25kg (in children).
- You have increased pressure in your eyes (glaucoma).
- You have severe kidney problems.
- You have a tumour in your prostate.
- You have high calcium levels or a low potassium level in your blood.
- You have Parkinson’s disease.
- You are taking any other medicines or herbal remedies, including those obtained without a prescription.
Info Leaflet
Before taking any medicines, regardless of whether they are over the counter or prescription-only, it is essential always to read the patient information leaflet.
