EpiPen Guide: Using Adrenaline for Anaphylaxis
An EpiPen is the brand name for delivering epinephrine, or adrenaline, for anaphylaxis. There are different forms of this self-injecting epinephrine for anaphylaxis but EpiPen is the predominant brand, and is also colloquially used as the term for this self-injection mechanism.
Types of epinephrine auto-injectors that we stock include:
- Epinephrine Injection Kit (epinephrine injector)
- Epipen Auto (epinephrine injector)
- Epipen Auto 2-Pack (epinephrine injector)
- Epipen Auto Jr. (epinephrine injector)
- Epipen Auto Jr. 2-Pack (epinephrine injector)
Epinephrine delivered via an EpiPen is used to treat life-threatening severe allergic reactions. The allergic reaction may be caused by various things such as foods, stings or other substances. It is delivered via injection so it is rapid. Adrenaline for anaphylaxis works to quickly combat the effects of an allergic reaction including improving breathing, lowering blood pressure, reducing swelling (particularly of the airways) and stimulating the heart.
What is anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction which may be life threatening. It is a medical emergency.
Adrenaline is a natural hormone that we all produce in the event of stress. However, with anaphylaxis more adrenaline is needed than the body can naturally produce. Epinephrine – the synthetic form of adrenaline – is administered to quickly reverse the allergic reaction.
Those who have experienced an allergic reaction so severe as to cause anaphylaxis need to identify what causes the reaction in them. However, it is not always possible to completely avoid an allergen. For example, it isn’t possible to avoid bee stings, or you may inadvertently ingest a food allergen without being aware. In these cases, rapid administration of epinephrine via an EpiPen can save your life.
Epinephrine for anaphylaxis
An EpiPen or its equivalent contains a single dose of epinephrine. It is within a pen-like auto-injector device which is designed to be very simple and quick to deliver by anyone, especially by those who aren’t medically trained. It can be delivered by the patient or by someone on their behalf, e.g. a parent, teachers, colleague or even passerby. The injection is given to the thigh.
The adrenaline needs to be delivered via injection because taken orally or via inhalation is not only too slow and sometimes practically impossible but it is also ineffective in this way for anaphylaxis.
Giving someone epinephrine for anaphylaxis isn’t without risk. However, the benefits far outweigh the likelihood of problems. Side effects include a fast heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, trembling and shaking, headache, dizziness and anxiety.
How to tell if an EpiPen is needed?
If someone is showing the signs of anaphylaxis, it is essential that they receive epinephrine by EpiPen as quickly as possible. In many instances, the individual will be able to identify anaphylaxis themselves and they should be enabled to use their EpiPen quickly and without delay.
However, if you are aware of someone with an EpiPen and aren’t sure if they need it, you need to know what signs to look for.
Anaphylaxis is an emergency situation so act quickly. Signs include:
- Problems breathing including gasping and wheezing
- Swelling of the throat, mouth, lips or face
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded which may be accompanied by fainting
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeat
- Itching, rash and hives
- Pale clammy skin
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Low blood pressure
- Diarrhea
- Collapse
How to use an EpiPen
If you need to administer epinephrine for anaphylaxis you need to know how to use an EpiPen. Remember, EpiPen is the main brand, but other auto-injectors exist. Ideally you should familiarize yourself with how to administer your particular pen-like device. However, all pens come with instructions clearly provided.
Epinephrine auto-injectors should be regularly checked to ensure they are in date and not damaged. The liquid inside should be clear and the safety release mechanism should be intact.
Self-administering an EpiPen
An EpiPen can be administered through clothes if necessary, just make sure things like zips or buckles are out of the way.
- Lie down, or sit if breathing is made worse by lying.
- Slide the EpiPen from its carrier tube.
- Use your dominant hand to grip the auto-injector firmly with the
tip pointing down (the tip is orange on an EpiPen). Keep your fingers
away from the ends. - Use your non-dominant hand to pull up on the safety release (blue
on an EpiPen). Pull it up firmly and straight; you do not need to twist
it or move it sideways. - Grasping the device firmly, inject the epinephrine to the middle of
your upper thigh (this ensures it doesn’t go into a vein or artery).
Continue pushing the device in until it clicks then hold in place as you
count slowly to 3. - Carefully withdraw the auto-injector from your thigh.
- Rub the area where you made the injection for about 10 second with your fingers.
- Call or ask someone to call emergency services.
- Stay sitting or lying until emergency help arrives.
Administering an EpiPen to someone else
If you need to administer an EpiPen for someone else you need to act quickly and with confidence. Children have different epinephrine auto-injectors to adults. You must use the device that is specific to them.
Help the individual to lie down. If it is easier for them to breathe while sitting, this is fine. It may be easier to hold a small child in your lap. If the individual feels sick or has vomited, position them on their side. If they are unconscious, position them on their side.
- Slide the EpiPen from its carrier tube. Do not use the EpiPen if the safety release valve is raised.
- Use your dominant hand to grip the auto-injector firmly with the
tip pointing down (the tip is orange on an EpiPen). Keep your fingers
away from the ends. - Use your non-dominant hand to pull up on the safety release (blue
on an EpiPen). Pull it up firmly and straight; you do not need to twist
it or move it sideways. - Grasping the device firmly, inject the epinephrine to the middle of
the individual’s upper thigh. It can be administered through clothing
just ensure there are no buckles or straps in the way. Continue pushing
the device in until it clicks then hold in place as you count slowly to
3. - Carefully withdraw the auto-injector from their thigh.
- Rub the area where you made the injection for about 10 second with your fingers.
- Call emergency services and report “anaphylaxis”.
- Encourage the person to stay lying down until help arrives. Remove
any allergy triggers if possible and cover them with a blanket. Offer
reassurance.
If symptoms haven’t improved within 5-15 minutes, it may be necessary to administer a second auto-injector. The emergency services call handler can advise.
If there are no signs of breathing, administer CPR if possible. Again, the call handler can give instructions is necessary.
Can I use antihistamine to treat anaphylaxis?
Antihistamine is useful for treating many milder allergic reactions. However, antihistamine isn’t sufficient for treating anaphylaxis on its own. It can alleviate symptoms like itchiness or hives but it doesn’t work quickly enough to reverse the life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis in the way that epinephrine can.
Important things to remember with epinephrine for anaphylaxis
Epinephrine for anaphylaxis administered by auto-injector can be life-saving. If you have experienced an anaphylactic reaction before, always make sure you have a double-pack auto injector with you at all times. Make sure that it is in date and the liquid is not discolored. Keep your EpiPen at room temperature. Make sure that the people you spend most time with are aware of your allergy, the signs of anaphylaxis and know how to administer your EpiPen.
The advice provided by International Pharmacy is for guidance only. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding your health and wellbeing. You can buy the following epinephrine auto-injectors from us, and we can ship internationally:
