EpiPen is prescribed for immediate self-administration for people who have the risk of going into anaphylactic shock. It contains epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. EpiPen acts as an immediate therapy to such fatal allergic reactions. However, medical attention must be sought at the earliest after using it.
Take special care with EpiPen if you have a heart disease, diabetes, overactive thyroid, severe kidney problems, Parkinson’s disease, prostate tumour, high blood pressure, or glaucoma.
Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are using medicines for treating any other medical condition.
Common side effects that may be caused by using EpiPen, include;
• Irregular heartbeat
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Weakness
• Nervousness or anxiety
• Paleness
• Dizziness
• Breathing difficulty
• Vomiting
Always use EpiPen as prescribed by your doctor. It should only be injected into the outer thigh, and not into the buttock due to the risk of accidental injection into a vein.
EpiPen is intended to be used by people with a body weight above 25 kg.
The usual adult dose for allergic emergencies is 0.3mg adrenaline. Sometimes a single dose may not be sufficient. If your symptoms have not improved or have deteriorated within 5-15 minutes after the first injection, you should take a second injection.
When you jab the EpiPen firmly into your thigh, a spring activated plunger is released, which pushes the hidden needle into the thigh muscle to administer the dose of adrenaline. Administration can also be done through the clothes.
In the case of an accidental injection, medical help must be sought at once. There can be a lack of blood supply to the areas which have been accidentally administered by this drug.
An anaphylatic shock is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can be triggered due to a severe allergy. You may experience a severe reaction within minutes of being exposed to the allergen, causing swelling of the lips, tongue and throat, wheezing, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, dizziness, fast heartbeat, skin rash etc.
EpiPen contains the active ingredient adrenaline, which rapidly reverses the symptoms of anaphylaxis and redirects the blood to vital organs like the heart and brain.
