Drug Detail:Epinephrinesnap-ems (Epinephrine injection [ ep-i-nef-rin ])
Generic Name: Epinephrine Auto-Injector and Prefilled Syringe [ ep-i-NEF-rin ]
Drug Class: Adrenergic bronchodilators Catecholamines Vasopressors
Uses of Epinephrine Auto-Injector and Prefilled Syringe:
- It is used to treat a very bad allergic response.
- It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Epinephrine Auto-Injector and Prefilled Syringe?
- If you have an allergy to epinephrine or any other part of epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe.
- If you are allergic to epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe; any part of epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe; 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 epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe.
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 epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Epinephrine Auto-Injector and Prefilled Syringe?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe. 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 epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe 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 epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe 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.
Related/similar drugs
prednisone, albuterol, loratadine, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, triamcinoloneHow is this medicine (Epinephrine Auto-Injector and Prefilled Syringe) best taken?
Use epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe 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 epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe. If you have any questions about how to use epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe, talk with the doctor or pharmacist.
- Keep epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe with you at all times. You may want to keep extra ones at work, school, and home.
- Someone else may have to give epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe. Be sure others know where epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe is stored and how to give it if needed.
- Never put your fingers or hand over the tip.
- Do not take off 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.
- Jab straight into the outer thigh as you have been told. This medicine 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 epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe 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 epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe.
- Put back in the storage case.
- Take it with you to the hospital.
- Do not use epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe if the solution changes color, is cloudy, or has particles. Get a new one.
- Do not use if epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe is out of date. Get a new one.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Get medical help right away.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
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 or a fast heartbeat.
- A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
- Shortness of breath.
- Feeling very tired or weak.
- Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
- Rarely, infections have happened where epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe 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.
What are some other side effects of Epinephrine Auto-Injector and Prefilled Syringe?
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:
- Dizziness.
- Feeling nervous and excitable.
- Shakiness.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Anxiety.
- Restlessness.
- Feeling tired or weak.
- 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.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
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.
How do I store and/or throw out Epinephrine Auto-Injector and Prefilled Syringe?
- 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.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- 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 epinephrine auto-injector and prefilled syringe, 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.
Frequently asked questions
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- Can you bring an EpiPen on a plane?
- Can you use an expired EpiPen in an emergency?
- What's the mechanism of action for epinephrine?
- What is Neffy?
View more FAQ