Epinephrine (auto-injector), Epinephrine (anaphylaxis)

Epinephrine Auto-Injector and Prefilled Syringe

(ep i NEF rin)

EpiPen, Symjepi, Twinject

It is used to treat a very bad allergic response. It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had. This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. Do not give into the fingers, hands, or feet. Doing so may lead to lower blood flow in these areas. If this drug is given on accident, get medical help right away. If you are allergic to sulfites, talk with your doctor. Some products have sulfites. If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely. If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect: Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat. Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight. Chest pain or pressure. Fast or abnormal heartbeat. Shortness of breath. Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed. Rarely, infections have happened where this drug was given. Sometimes, these infections can be very bad. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of an infection like redness that does not go away, warmth, swelling, or tenderness.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away: Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak. Feeling nervous and excitable. Shakiness. Upset stomach or throwing up. Anxiety. Restlessness. Sweating a lot. Pale skin. Headache. These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely. It is given as a shot into a muscle or into the fatty part of the skin. Be sure you know how to use before an emergency happens. Read the package insert and instructions for use that come with this drug. If you have any questions about how to use this drug, talk with the doctor or pharmacist. Keep this drug with you at all times. You may want to keep extra ones at work, school, and home. Someone else may have to give this drug. Be sure others know where this drug is stored and how to give it if needed. Never put your fingers or hand over the tip. Check the device before you need to use it to make sure the safety release is in place and that the device can be removed from the case. Do not take off the safety release until ready to use. When you are ready to use, take the pen out of the case. Hold pen with tip down. Make a fist around the pen. Pull off safety release. Throw away the safety release right after using this drug. Jab straight into the outer thigh as you have been told. This drug may be given through clothes if needed. Inject and hold for as long as you were told. Do not give into the buttocks. If giving this drug to your child, hold the leg still to prevent injury. Try to limit how much your child moves before and during an injection. Get medical help right away after using this drug. Put back in the storage case. Take it with you to the hospital. Do not use this drug if the solution changes color, is cloudy, or has particles. Get a new one. Do not use if this drug is out of date. Get a new one.

Get medical help right away.

Store at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Protect from heat, cold, and light. Store in the case you were given. Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets. Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor. Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs. Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider. If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.