Epinephrine auto-injection

What is Epinephrine?

Epinephrine is a medicine used to stop or lessen a severe allergic reaction that may be life threatening. It works very fast. This medicine is given with a device called an epinephrine auto-injector (EAI). It will inject the medicine into the body when it is used correctly.

When should the epinephrine auto-injector (EAI) be used?

1. Mild symptoms from more than one body system area. These symptoms include:
– Nose: Itchy or runny nose, sneezing.
– Mouth: Itchy mouth.
– Skin: A few hives, mild itch.
– Gut: Mild nausea or discomfort, vomiting once (more than once is a severe symptom).
2. Any one of the following severe symptoms:
– Lungs: shortness of breath, wheezing, non-stop cough.
– Heart: pale,  bluish skin, faint, weak pulse, dizzy.
– Throat: Tightness in the throat, hoarse voice, trouble breathing and swallowing.
– Mouth: Major swelling of the tongue or lips.
– Skin: Many hives over the body, widespread redness.
– Gut: Constant vomiting or severe diarrhea.
– Other: Feeling like something bad is going to happen, feeling anxious, or confused.
– Or a combination of any of these symptoms from different body areas.

What are possible side effects of using the EAI?

• Fast heart rate, pounding heart, tremors or shakes, vomiting, nausea, headache, dizziness, pale or red (flushed) skin, weakness, feeling nervous or anxious.

Special information

• Keep 2 EAI with you at all times. Take them to school, back home, and anywhere you go. All forms of EAI come as a 2-pack. Keep them together, do not separate them. There is also a trainer with each 2-pack.
• Do not take off the safety cap unless the medicine is going to be used.
• If symptoms do not improve after 5 minutes, use the second EAI for the second dose. It will not be harmful if you give the second dose sooner than 5 minutes.  

Storage, refills and when to throw away

• Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Do not let anyone else take this medicine.
• Do not keep the medicine in the refrigerator. Do not leave it in direct sunlight or extreme temperature, like a car glove compartment.
• Replace the medicine if it is expired or discolored.  An EAI will last about 1 year from the date the pens are refilled.  Make sure your EAI is refilled yearly.
• All EAI will only give one dose of medicine. Do not attempt to reuse the auto-injector.

HOW TO USE AUVI-Q® (EPINEPRHINE INJECTION, USP), KALEO 3
1. Remove Auvi-Q from the outer case.
2. Pull off red safety guard.
3. Place black end of Auvi-Q against the middle of the outer thigh.
4. Press firmly until you hear a click and hiss sound, and hold in place for 2 seconds.
5. Call 911 and get emergency medical help right away.

HOW TO USE EPIPEN® AND EPIPEN JR® (EPINEPHRINE) AUTO-INJECTOR AND EPINEPHRINE INJECTION (AUTHORIZED GENERIC OF EPIPEN®), USP AUTO-INJECTOR, MYLAN AUTO-INJECTOR, MYLAN
1. Remove the EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr® Auto-Injector from the clear carrier tube. 3
2. Grasp the auto-injector in your fist with the orange tip (needle end) pointing downward.
3. With your other hand, remove the blue safety release by pulling straight up. 4
4. Swing and push the auto-injector firmly into the middle of the outer thigh until it ‘clicks’.
5. Hold firmly in place for 3 seconds (count slowly 1, 2, 3).
6. Remove and massage the injection area for 10 seconds.
7. Call 911 and get emergency medical help right away.

HOW TO USE IMPAX EPINEPHRINE INJECTION (AUTHORIZED GENERIC OF ADRENACLICK®), USP
AUTO-INJECTOR, IMPAX LABORATORIES 5
1. Remove epinephrine auto-injector from its protective carrying case.
2. Pull off both blue end caps: you will now see a red tip.
3. Grasp the auto-injector in your fist with the red tip pointing downward.
4. Put the red tip against the middle of the outer thigh at a 90-degree angle, perpendicular to the thigh.
5. Press down hard and hold firmly against the thigh for approximately 10 seconds.
6. Remove and massage the area for 10 seconds.
7. Call 911 and get emergency medical help right away.

HOW TO USE TEVA’S GENERIC EPIPEN® (EPINEPHRINE INJECTION, USP) AUTO-INJECTOR, TEVA PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES
1. Quickly twist the yellow or green cap off of the auto-injector in the direction of the “twist arrow” to remove it. 5
2. Grasp the auto-injector in your fist with the orange tip (needle end) pointing downward.
3. With your other hand, pull off the blue safety release.
4. Place the orange tip against the middle of the outer thigh (upper leg) at a right angle (perpendicular) to the thigh.
5. Swing and push the auto-injector firmly into the middle of the outer thigh until it ‘clicks’.
6. Hold firmly in place for 3 seconds (count slowly 1, 2, 3).
7. Remove and massage the injection area for 10 seconds.
8. Call 911 and get emergency medical help right away.

ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY INFORMATION FOR ALL AUTO-INJECTORS:
1. Do not put your thumb, fingers or hand over the tip of the auto-injector or inject into any body part other than mid-outer thigh. In case of accidental injection, go immediately to the nearest emergency room.
2. If administering to a young child, hold their leg firmly in place before and during injection to prevent injuries.
3. Epinephrine can be injected through clothing if needed.
4. Call 911 immediately after injection.
OTHER DIRECTIONS/INFORMATION (may self-carry epinephrine, may self-administer epinephrine, etc.):
Treat the person before calling emergency contacts. The first signs of a reaction can be mild, but symptoms can worsen quickly.

Treat the person before calling emergency contacts. The first signs of a reaction can be mild, but symptoms can worsen quickly.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS — CALL 911 
Rescue squad:           
Doctor:           
Parent/Guardian:

OTHER EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Name/Relationship:
Phone: 
Name/Relationship:
Phone: 
Name/Relationship:
Phone: