A prescription medical device that injects a dose of adrenaline to treat severe allergic reactions, also known as anaphylaxis
Product supplied may be from a different manufacturer
What is Epipen?
An epinephrine autoinjector (or adrenaline autoinjector, also known by the trademark EpiPen) is a medical device for injecting a measured dose or doses of epinephrine (adrenaline) by means of autoinjector technology. It is most often used for the treatment of anaphylaxis.
When to use an EpiPen?
You should only use an EpiPen if you can recognise that you are experiencing symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. Typical symptoms include tingling and swelling of the lips, eyes and face, itching and skin rash, tightening of the throat and difficulty breathing. If you ever need to use an EpiPen you must also call 999 for an ambulance so that you have access to further medical assistance while you recover from the allergic reaction.
How to use an EpiPen?
Follow the instructions given to you when you were first prescribed an EpiPen. Each EpiPen also comes with full instructions on how to use it. You should familiarise yourself with how to use an EpiPen regularly.
Effectiveness
Your EpiPen should take effect as soon as it is injected into the body. However, you should also call 999 when you have a severe allergic reaction, to ensure that you get medical attention as quickly as possible. EpiPen can be life-saving for people who experience severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).
How does the EpiPen work?
All adrenaline pens contain epinephrine (commonly known as adrenaline), and each auto-injector contains a single dose of the medicine. You should be trained in the correct use of your EpiPen, as should your close friends, family, and colleagues (or teachers) so that they can administer it if you are unable to do so yourself.
Important information about EpiPen
EpiPen is a brand of adrenaline pen, used to administer life-saving medicine to someone suffering a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). It is therefore essential if you have been prescribed an EpiPen that you carry two of them with you at all times.
In order to purchase EpiPen's from our online service, you need to have already been issued an initial EpiPen prescription by your doctor. You must also have been shown how to use an EpiPen, and have a history of anaphylactic shock. The EpiPens we supply with this service have an 8-10 month shelf life.
Safety: taking other medicines
You should be able to use EpiPen alongside other medicines in an emergency. However, it is important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are taking so that we can prescribe EpiPen safely.
An EpiPen should only be injected into the anterolateral aspect of the thigh through clothing if necessary. An initial dose should be administered as soon as symptoms of anaphylaxis are recognised. A second injection with an additional EpiPen may be administered 5-15 minutes after the first injection, if indicated. It is recommended that patients are prescribed two EpiPen auto-injectors which they should carry at all times. As EpiPen is designed for emergency treatment, the patient should always seek medical help immediately.
Information Leaflet
Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment.
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