EpiPen & Anaphylaxis
Let's begin with the basics.Anaphylaxis (pronounced "a-na-fi-LAX-is") is a potentially severe or life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur very quickly—as fast as within a couple of minutes of exposure to the allergen.
It can be triggered by an allergy to a particular food (peanuts or shellfish, for example), biting or stinging insects (like bees), medication (penicillin is a common one), latex (the type of rubber many balloons are made from) or a variety of other allergic triggers. Read more about this topic here: What Causes Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is the name of the potentially life‑threatening reaction that can happen when you’re allergic to bees, shellfish, peanuts or any other of a number of allergens.
The symptoms of anaphylaxis can vary.Not everyone affected by anaphylaxis will experience the same thing, but common symptoms include hives, itching, flushing and swelling of the lips, tongue and roof of the mouth.
The airway is often affected, resulting in tightness of the throat, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. These life-threatening allergic reactions can also be accompanied by chest pain, low blood pressure, dizziness and headaches.
It's serious stuff, which is why your top priority should be avoiding your known allergen(s) as best you can.
Be careful to avoid allergens...and be prepared.You can't avoid everything. That's why it's important to talk with your doctor about how to identify the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis. Ask your doctor if EpiPen® (epinephrine injection) or EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine injection) Auto-Injectors are something you or your child should be prescribed, so that when you recognize the symptoms of anaphylaxis, you can be prepared with a plan to treat them.
Acting fast is important.If you, your child or someone you're caring for shows signs or symptoms of a life-threatening allergic reaction, administer EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr® Auto-Injector immediately as prescribed and seek emergency medical care. Because they do not treat the life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis, antihistamines are not recommended as first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.
It's important to administer epinephrine at the first signs of anaphylaxis. According to National Food Allergy Guidelines, epinephrine is the first-line treatment for life-threatening allergic reactions. A delay in administering epinephrine can be life-threatening.
More in this section:
Free information and resources »
In an emergency, will you be able to recognize the signs of anaphylaxis?
What to watch for »
Important Safety Information EpiPen® (epinephrine injection) 0.3 mg and EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine injection) 0.15 mg Auto-Injectors contain a single dose of epinephrine, which you (or your caregiver or others who may be in a position to administer EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr®) inject into the middle of your outer thigh (upper leg) (through clothing, if necessary). Get emergency medical help right away. You may need further medical attention. Only a health care professional should give additional doses of epinephrine if you need more than two injections for a single anaphylactic episode. DO NOT INJECT INTO YOUR VEINS, BUTTOCKS, FINGERS, TOES, HANDS OR FEET. In case of accidental injection, please seek immediate medical treatment. Epinephrine should be used with caution if you have heart disease or are taking certain medicines that can cause heart-related (cardiac) symptoms.
Tell your doctor if you have certain medical conditions such as asthma, depression, thyroid disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, have any other medical conditions, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Be sure to also tell your doctor all the medicines you take, especially medicines for asthma. If you have certain medical conditions, or take certain medicines, your condition may get worse or you may have longer lasting side effects when you use EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr®.
The most common side effects may include increase in heart rate, stronger or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea or vomiting, difficulty breathing, paleness, dizziness, weakness, shakiness, headache, apprehension, nervousness or anxiety. These side effects may go away if you rest. Tell your health care professional if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.
Indications EpiPen® and EpiPen Jr® Auto-Injectors are for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) caused by allergens, exercise, or unknown triggers; and for people who are at increased risk for these reactions. EpiPen® and EpiPen Jr® are intended for immediate administration as emergency supportive therapy only. Seek immediate emergency medical help right away.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1‑800‑FDA‑1088.
For additional information, please contact us at 800‑395‑3376.
It can be triggered by an allergy to a particular food (peanuts or shellfish, for example), biting or stinging insects (like bees), medication (penicillin is a common one), latex (the type of rubber many balloons are made from) or a variety of other allergic triggers. Read more about this topic here: What Causes Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is the name of the potentially life‑threatening reaction that can happen when you’re allergic to bees, shellfish, peanuts or any other of a number of allergens.
The symptoms of anaphylaxis can vary.Not everyone affected by anaphylaxis will experience the same thing, but common symptoms include hives, itching, flushing and swelling of the lips, tongue and roof of the mouth.
The airway is often affected, resulting in tightness of the throat, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. These life-threatening allergic reactions can also be accompanied by chest pain, low blood pressure, dizziness and headaches.
It's serious stuff, which is why your top priority should be avoiding your known allergen(s) as best you can.
Be careful to avoid allergens...and be prepared.You can't avoid everything. That's why it's important to talk with your doctor about how to identify the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis. Ask your doctor if EpiPen® (epinephrine injection) or EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine injection) Auto-Injectors are something you or your child should be prescribed, so that when you recognize the symptoms of anaphylaxis, you can be prepared with a plan to treat them.
Acting fast is important.If you, your child or someone you're caring for shows signs or symptoms of a life-threatening allergic reaction, administer EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr® Auto-Injector immediately as prescribed and seek emergency medical care. Because they do not treat the life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis, antihistamines are not recommended as first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.
It's important to administer epinephrine at the first signs of anaphylaxis. According to National Food Allergy Guidelines, epinephrine is the first-line treatment for life-threatening allergic reactions. A delay in administering epinephrine can be life-threatening.
More in this section:
- Learn about the specific allergic triggers that can cause anaphylaxis
- Being prepared means having a plan
- About EpiPen® Auto-Injector
- What is Anaphylaxis?
- Have a Plan
- Personal Stories Videos
- Resources
- Sign Up for My EpiPen®
Free information and resources »
In an emergency, will you be able to recognize the signs of anaphylaxis?
What to watch for »
Important Safety Information EpiPen® (epinephrine injection) 0.3 mg and EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine injection) 0.15 mg Auto-Injectors contain a single dose of epinephrine, which you (or your caregiver or others who may be in a position to administer EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr®) inject into the middle of your outer thigh (upper leg) (through clothing, if necessary). Get emergency medical help right away. You may need further medical attention. Only a health care professional should give additional doses of epinephrine if you need more than two injections for a single anaphylactic episode. DO NOT INJECT INTO YOUR VEINS, BUTTOCKS, FINGERS, TOES, HANDS OR FEET. In case of accidental injection, please seek immediate medical treatment. Epinephrine should be used with caution if you have heart disease or are taking certain medicines that can cause heart-related (cardiac) symptoms.
Tell your doctor if you have certain medical conditions such as asthma, depression, thyroid disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, have any other medical conditions, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Be sure to also tell your doctor all the medicines you take, especially medicines for asthma. If you have certain medical conditions, or take certain medicines, your condition may get worse or you may have longer lasting side effects when you use EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr®.
The most common side effects may include increase in heart rate, stronger or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea or vomiting, difficulty breathing, paleness, dizziness, weakness, shakiness, headache, apprehension, nervousness or anxiety. These side effects may go away if you rest. Tell your health care professional if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.
Indications EpiPen® and EpiPen Jr® Auto-Injectors are for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) caused by allergens, exercise, or unknown triggers; and for people who are at increased risk for these reactions. EpiPen® and EpiPen Jr® are intended for immediate administration as emergency supportive therapy only. Seek immediate emergency medical help right away.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1‑800‑FDA‑1088.
For additional information, please contact us at 800‑395‑3376.
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or by phone at 828-488-2152.