Included with your EpiPen®, this leaflet explains how, why and when you should use your pen.
Included with your EpiPen®, this leaflet explains how, why and when you should use your pen.
A.EpiPen® is an adrenaline auto-injector (also known as an AAI) and is only available on prescription. People who are at risk of anaphylaxis will be prescribed auto-injectors to use in an emergency.
If you are at risk of anaphylaxis, you should always keep your EpiPen® with you. Your EpiPen® is designed as emergency treatment only, you should always seek medical help immediately after using your EpiPen®. Dial 999, ask for ambulance and state ‘anaphylaxis’ (even if symptoms appear to be improving).
A.Adrenaline is the first-line, emergency treatment for anaphylaxis. Adrenaline works directly on the cardiovascular (heart and circulation) system and respiratory (lung) system to stop the possible fatal effects of anaphylactic shock by very quickly making the blood vessels smaller, relaxing muscles in the lungs to improve breathing, reducing swelling and stimulating heartbeat.
A.EpiPen® and EpiPen® Jr are adrenaline auto-injectors which contain different doses of adrenaline. EpiPen® contains 0.3mg adrenaline and EpiPen® Jr contains 0.15mg adrenaline. The prescribing physician will prescribe EpiPen® or EpiPen® Jr depending on the patient’s body weight.
EpiPen® 0.3mg is recommended for anyone weighing over 25kg.
EpiPen® Jr. 0.15mg is recommended for children weighing between 7.5 – 25kg. For children weighing more than 25kg, EpiPen® 0.3mg is recommended.
A.You can view the patient information leaflets here:
Remove the blue safety cap by pulling straight up, hold the EpiPen® 10cm away from your outer thigh at a right angle, jab the EpiPen® into the outer thigh and hold for 3 seconds.
After use, the orange needle cover will extend to cover the needle and the viewing window will go dark.
Your EpiPen® is designed as emergency treatment only, you should always seek medical help immediately after using your EpiPen®. Dial 999, ask for ambulance and state ‘anaphylaxis’ (even if symptoms appear to be improving)
Lie down and raise your legs. Sit up if you are struggling to breathe but don’t change position suddenly. Lie down again as soon as you can. Stay lying down even if you are feeling better. You must not stand up even if someone encourages you to
Click here to watch a demonstration video
It is best to practise regularly with an EpiPen® Trainer. You can order one here* if you do not have one, or ask your doctor.
Remember, each EpiPen® can only be used once so it is important to always carry two. If symptoms do not improve after 5 minutes, use a second EpiPen®.
*Despatched to the UK only.
A.When you jab the EpiPen® into your thigh, the needle and the dose of adrenaline will be released. After removing the EpiPen®, the orange end will extend to cover the needle and the viewing window will go dark. There will still be some adrenaline left in the EpiPen®, but this is perfectly normal. You will quickly start to feel that the adrenaline is working.
Remember, each EpiPen® can only be used once so it is important to always carry two. If symptoms do not improve after 5 minutes, use your second EpiPen®.
Your EpiPen® is designed as emergency treatment only, you should always seek medical help immediately after using your EpiPen®. Dial 999, ask for ambulance and state ‘anaphylaxis’ (even if symptoms appear to be improving).
A.Yes. Take care to avoid zips, buttons, buckles, seams and pocket contents.
A.Always seek medical attention. You must dial 999, ask for an ambulance and say ‘anaphylaxis’ (pronounced ‘anna-fill-axis’) immediately after using your EpiPen®. Make sure you give your used EpiPen® to the paramedic. You should be issued with a replacement EpiPen® before being discharged from hospital
While waiting for the ambulance you should stay lying down with your feet raised if possible. If you are struggling to breathe, you may need to sit up but this should be for as short a time as possible. You must avoid any sudden change in posture and above all, you must not stand up, or sit in a chair, even if you are feeling better.
A.The bubble is a type of gas called nitrogen, and it is perfectly normal to find it in an EpiPen®. The bubble will not interfere with how your EpiPen® works.
A.Your doctor or nurse will tell you how to recognise the symptoms of anaphylaxis. If you think you have come into contact with your trigger, make sure you have your EpiPen® to hand and use it immediately if you start to experience symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. You must dial 999, ask for an ambulance and say ‘anaphylaxis’ (pronounced ‘anna-fill-axis’) immediately after using the EpiPen® and remain lying down or seated and still until the ambulance arrives.
A.Yes, you can order an EpiPen® Trainer. Practise as much as you can to make sure you know what to do in an emergency. The instructions on how to use the EpiPen® Trainer are the same as an EpiPen®, although there is no adrenaline and no needle. The EpiPen® Trainer can be reset so that you can keep practicing with your friends and family.
*Despatched to the UK only.
A.Tell them your triggers, the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, where you keep your EpiPen® and how to use it. Show them this website, and practice with your EpiPen® Trainer.
A.Sign up for our Expiry Alert Service and receive text and/or email messages reminding you to visit your doctor or pharmacist in time to replace your EpiPen® before it expires.
A.EpiPen® expires on the last day of the month indicated. For example, if it expires in April, it remains valid (not expired) until April 30.
Make sure you see your GP or pharmacist as soon as possible to get a new pen. Use the EpiPen® Expiry Alert Service to receive reminders when your EpiPen® is about to expire.
A.Yes. If they all have the same expiry date you only need to fill in one form. If they have different expiry dates, you need to fill in a different form for each EpiPen®.
A.Adrenaline is sensitive to light and can be damaged by high or low temperatures. Do not store your EpiPen® above 25°C and do not refrigerate or freeze. Keep the EpiPen® container in the outer carton to protect from light.
A.Make sure that you have enough EpiPen® with you – it may be difficult and expensive to get replacement EpiPen® abroad. Organise this with your GP several weeks before you go.
Airlines will often require a letter from your doctor to allow you to carry your EpiPen® with you onto the aircraft.
Click here to print off a Travel Certificate for your doctor to fill in – make sure you get it done in good time before you travel. If you have a food allergy, you should also discuss meal options (if appropriate).
A.EpiPen® are used all over the world and used in a variety of climates very different from the UK. When travelling abroad, you should take the same care as you would in the UK and observe the storage recommendations in the package leaflet. Your EpiPen® should never be exposed to direct sunlight or very hot or cold temperatures for prolonged periods, and should never be refrigerated or frozen. You should keep the container in the outer carton in order to protect from light. It may also be worth contacting the airport you are travelling from and the company you are travelling with to see if there are special requirements they may have for travelling with specialist medicines.
