Epinephrine
Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction
There are many allergens that can trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), including food, stinging or biting insects, medication, and latex.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)* recommends administering epinephrine as a prompt treatment for these allergy emergencies.
*US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Click here for instructions on how to use the AvKARE epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector.
FAQ's
- trouble breathing
- wheezing
- hoarseness (changes in the way your voice sounds)
- hives (raised reddened rash that may itch)
- severe itching
- swelling of your face, lips, mouth, or tongue
- skin rash, redness, or swelling
- fast heartbeat
- weak pulse
- feeling very anxious
- confusion
- stomach pain
- losing control of urine or bowel movements (incontinence)
- diarrhea or stomach cramps
- dizziness, fainting, or “passing out” (unconsciousness)
- Use epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector right away.
- Get emergency medical help right away. You may need further medical attention. You may need to use a second epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector if symptoms continue or recur. Only a healthcare provider should give additional doses of epinephrine if you need more than 2 injections for a single anaphylaxis episode.
- Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector is a disposable, prefilled automatic injection device (auto-injector) used to treat life-threatening, allergic emergencies including anaphylaxis in people who are at risk for or have a history of serious allergic emergencies. Each device contains a single dose of epinephrine.
- Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector is for immediate self (or caregiver) administration and does not take the place of emergency medical care. You should get emergency medical help right away after using epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector.
- Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector is for people who have been prescribed this medicine by their healthcare provider.
- have heart problems or high blood pressure
- diabetes
- have thyroid problems
- have asthma
- have a history of depression
- have Parkinson’s disease have any other medical condition
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
- Epinephrine Injection, USP auto-injector contains only 1 dose of medicine.
- Epinephrine Injection, USP auto-injector should only be injected into the middle of the outer thigh (upper leg). It can be injected through clothing, if needed.
- Read the Instructions for Use in the Patient Information Leaflet for information about the right way to use epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector.
- Your healthcare provider will show you how to safely use the epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector.
- Use epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
Possible Side Effects Include:
- faster, irregular or “pounding” heartbeat
- sweating
- headache
- weakness
- shakiness
- paleness
- feelings of over excitement, nervousness, or anxiety
- dizziness
- nausea or vomiting
- nausea or vomiting
- Do Not inject Epinephrine Injection, USP into your veins, buttocks, fingers, toes hands or feet.
- If you accidently inject epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector into any other part of your body, go to the nearest emergency room right away. Tell the healthcare provider where on your body you received the accidental injection.
- In rare occasions, patients who use epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector may develop infections at the injection site within a few days of an injection. Some of these infections can be serious. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following at an injection site:
- redness that does not go away
- swelling
- tenderness
- the area feels warm to the touch
- If you inject a young child with epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector, hold their leg firmly in place before and during the injection to prevent injuries.
- Active Ingredient: epinephrine
- Inactive Ingredients: sodium chloride, chlorobutanol, sodium bisulfite, hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide, and water.
How to Use
Ask your healthcare provider to show you the proper way to use your epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector. Also, read carefully, the Patient Information Leaflet (link below) for additional information.
Patient Information Leaflet
There may be new information in this leaflet that you or those who you trust to administer injections (parents, caregivers, school nurses) should know. Reading the leaflet ensures you know how to use the injector during a severe allergic reaction, and it contains details beyond those in the quick-reference instructions. In addition, our free Product Trainers let you practice using an injector properly without an injection occurring.
Instructions for Using the Epinephrine Injection, USP Auto-Injector
STEP 1. Prepare epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector for injection
Remove epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector from its protective carrying case. Pull off blue end caps; you will now see a red tip. Grasp the auto-injector in your fist with the red tip pointing downward. See Figure A.
Note: The needle comes out of the red tip. To avoid an accidental injection, never put your thumb, fingers, or hand over the red tip. If an accidental injection happens, get medical help right away.
STEP 2. Administer epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector
If you are administering epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector to a young child, hold the leg firmly in place and limit movement prior to and while administering an injection. Put the red tip against the middle of the outer thigh (upper leg) at a 90° angle (perpendicular) to the thigh. Press down hard and hold firmly against the thigh for approximately 10 seconds to deliver the medicine. See Figure B.
The auto-injector is designed to work through clothing. Only inject into the middle of the outer thigh. Do not inject into any other part of the body. Remove epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector from the thigh. Massage the area for 10 seconds. Check the red tip. The injection is complete and you have received the correct dose of the medicine if you see the needle sticking out of the red tip. If you do not see the needle repeat Step 2.
STEP 3. Get emergency medical help right away.
You may need further medical attention. You may need to use a second epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector if symptoms continue or recur. Only a healthcare provider should give additional doses of epinephrine if you need more than 2 injections for a single anaphylaxis episode.
STEP 4. After use/disposal,
Carefully cover the needle with the carrying case. Lay the labeled half of the carrying case cover down on a flat surface. Use one hand to carefully slide the end of the auto-injector, needle first, into the labeled carrying case cover.
See Figure C.
After the needle is inside the labeled cover, push the unlabeled half of the carrying case cover firmly over the non-needle end of the auto-injector. See Figure D. Take your used epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector with you when you go to see a healthcare provider. Tell the healthcare provider that you have received an injection of epinephrine. Show the healthcare provider where you received the injection. Give your used epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector to the healthcare provider for inspection and proper disposal.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
When you have an allergic emergency (anaphylaxis), use epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector and seek emergency medical help right away. You may need further medical attention. You may need to use a second epinephrine injection if symptoms continue or recur. Only a healthcare provider should give additional doses of epinephrine if you need more than 2 injections for a single anaphylactic episode. Epinephrine injection USP, auto-injector should only be injected into the middle of the outer thigh (upper leg). Do not inject the epinephrine auto-injector into your veins, buttocks, fingers, toes, hands or feet. If you inject a young child with the epinephrine auto-injector, hold their leg firmly in place before and during the injection to prevent injuries. If you accidently inject epinephrine into any other part of your body, go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Before you use epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, especially if you have heart problems or high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems, asthma, a history of depression, Parkinson’s disease, any other medical condition, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Tell your healthcare provider of all known allergies. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take certain asthma medicines. 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 epinephrine.
Common side effects of epinephrine include fast, irregular or “pounding” heartbeat; sweating; headache; weakness; shakiness; paleness; feelings of over excitement, nervousness, or anxiety; dizziness; nausea or vomiting; and breathing problems. These side effects may go away with rest. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of epinephrine.
Rarely, patients who use an epinephrine auto-injector may develop infections at the injection site within a few days of an injection. Some of these infections can be serious. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following at an injection site: redness that does not go away, swelling, tenderness, or the area feels warm to the touch.
Indications
The epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector is a disposable, prefilled automatic injection device (auto-injector) used to treat life-threatening, allergic emergencies including anaphylaxis in people who are at risk for or have a history of serious allergic emergencies.
Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.
For additional information please contact us at 1-855-361-3993.
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.