May Contain Guideline and Regulations to using the Epi-Pen
ANAPHYLAXIS CAMPAIGN
GUIDELINES TO EPIPEN
EDITION 2015
01-02
NUMBER ONE
WHAT IS AN EPI-PEN
03-04
NUMBER TWO
ALLERGIC REACTION
05-06
NUMBER THREE
WHEN TO USE A EPIPEN
07-08
NUMBER FOUR
HOW TO USE IT
09-10
NUMBER FIVE
REAL INTERVIEW
11-12
NUMBER SIX
FAQ
WHAT IS AN EPIPEN
WHAT IS AN EPIPEN
EpiPen速 0.3 mg and EpiPen Jr速 (epinephrine) 0.15 mg Auto-Injectors are for people who have a history of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to things like bee stings, peanuts or seafood, or are at increased risk for a severe allergic reaction. EpiPen速 and EpiPen Jr速 are self-injectable devices (auto-injectors) that contain epinephrine.
ANAPHYLAXIS CAMPAIGN
GUIDELINES TO EPIPEN
EDITION 2015
INSTRUCTIONS
BLUE CAP
Always call 999 after using epinephrine. The medicine starts to wear off in 20 to 30 minutes and the reaction may come back.
Be sure to teach anyone who cares for your child (teacher, child care provider, baby-sitter, relatives) when and how to use the auto-injector.
NEEDLE Repeat the dose in 5 to 10 minutes if your child is not improving. Inhalers, such as albuterol and antihistamines (BenadrylÂŽ), are not usually enough to treat severe allergic reactions. They can be given after epinephrine is used if available.
EXPIRY DATE It is your responsibility to check the expiration date every month. Tell your child’s doctor or nurse when a refill is needed.
(Adrenaline) Auto-Injectors 0.3mg
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IF A ALLERGIC REACTION OCCURED
Anaphylaxis is a severe or potentially life‑threatening allergic reaction that occurs very quickly—even as fast as within a couple of minutes of exposure to an allergen. Here are some of the symptoms to watch for.
Feeling very anxious Confusion HEAD MOUTH
Dizziness Passing out
Itching MOUTH MOUTH
Swelling of lips and/or tongue Tingling of lips or tongue
Shortness of Breath Coughing LUNGS MOUTH
Wheezing Difficulty Breathing
Itching Hives SKIN MOUTH
Redness Swelling
ANAPHYLAXIS CAMPAIGN
GUIDELINES TO EPIPEN
Itching Tightness / Closure THROAT MOUTH
Coughing Hoarseness
Vomiting Nausea STOMACH MOUTH
Diarrhea Cramps
Weak pulse HEART MOUTH
Fast heartbeat
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EDITION 2015
WHEN TO USE THE EPIPEN
ANAPHYLAXIS CAMPAIGN
GUIDELINES TO EPIPEN
Antihistamines are commonly used for treating hives or other skin symptoms, but they do not treat the life‑threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis (see above for a list of symptoms to watch for). According to National Food Allergy Guidelines, epinephrine is the only recommended first‑line treatment for anaphylaxis. Epinephrine is the medication in EpiPen® Auto‑Injectors. If you or someone you’re caring for shows signs or symptoms of a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), inject EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr® immediately as prescribed and seek emergency medical attention.
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EDITION 2015
HOW TO USE THE EPIPEN
(Adrenaline)
INSTRUCTION ONE Grasp Epipen in dominant hand, with thumb closest to blue saferty cap.
INSTRUCTION TWO With the otherhand pull off blue safety cap.
ANAPHYLAXIS CAMPAIGN
GUIDELINES TO EPIPEN
EDITION 2015
Auto-Injector
INSTRUCTIONTHREE Hold Epipen at a distance of approx. 10 cm away from outer thigh.
INSTRUCTION FIVE Massage the injection area for 10 seconds. Call ‘999’ and seek medical attension.
INSTRUCTION FOUR Jab firmly into outer thigh at a right angle to outer thigh (listen for click) Hold firmly aginest thigh for 10 seconds
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REAL STORIES
Real Interviews with Real people
Crystal
My name is Schuyler and my son, Bear, has a se‑ vere life-threatening allergy to peanuts and he’s outgrown his allergy to dairy and eggs. We do everything we can to avoid Bear’s allergens, but there are things you can’t control. One time I had to run out to the store just a half mile away and I told the sitter, “I’ll be right back; don’t give Bear anything to eat.” I had told her before all of his allergies and how important it was to avoid certain foods. So when I got home, she literally met me at the door with him on her hip, his face was cov‑ ered in hives, and I could hear that he was breath‑ ing with sort of this rasp, and immediately I knew he had had an allergic reaction to something. And she told me “I gave him a little tiny piece of toast with some butter. And then I realized it was the allergic reaction to the dairy. I was thinking to myself, like, is this an emergen‑ cy? Is this an emergency situation? Do I need to call 911? I was in total denial about it being an emergency. I was like, no, this isn’t an emergen‑ cy. I’m just going to drive him to the pediatrician’s office. I looked at him in the rearview mirror and that’s when I saw that his face was really purple and blowing up and he started to projectile vomit. So I pulled over, grabbed the EpiPen®, gave it to him immediately and then called 911 and then the ambulance picked us up there, but I could see the change in him. The EpiPen® had started to alleviate his symptoms. I always tell that story to any babysitter and I explain the plan to them, watch for the symptoms, use the EpiPen® if he’s in danger, call 911 and then call me, and I say please don’t hesitate to give it to him. You know, it’s important.
ANAPHYLAXIS CAMPAIGN
GUIDELINES TO EPIPEN
EDITION 2015
Collen
My name is Colleen and my son’s name is Ciaran and he has severe food allergies to peanuts and tree nuts. We’re always doing everything to avoid his allergens. I had to use the EpiPen Jr®, once, when he was younger and it was Christmas Day. We were sit‑ ting around the living room, and all of a sudden, I heard Ciaran making this bizarre wheezing sound. He must have eaten something that we didn’t know about. I immediately knew he was having a hard time breathing. So, I ran across the room, I picked him up, I brought him into the kitchen, I put him up on the counter, and I used the EpiPen Jr® on his outer thigh, right through his pants. the symptoms started to subside. We live close to the hospital, so we got him in the car and raced him over there. Avoiding his allergens is part of our plan. Accidents can still happen.
Schuyler
My name is Crystal and I have a life-threatening allergy to shellfish. I was at my friend’s wedding and we were at the reception, and I knew that I couldn’t eat anything that was shellfish related. And I told myself I’ll just stay away from those items and I’ll just have chicken. At the reception I was consuming what I thought was chicken salad, but it was, in fact, crab salad. I could feel my throat starting to close, my face started to swell, my airway was constricted …and I panicked. I didn’t have my EpiPens® with me. I ended up leaving the reception in the back of an ambulance. Always carry two EpiPens®WW.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FA
Q
How does epinephrine work?
The drug in EpiPen® Auto Injector is epinephrine. It constricts blood vessels to increase blood pressure, relaxes smooth muscles in the lungs to reduce wheezing and improve breathing, stimulates the heart (increases heart rate) and works to reduce hives and swelling that may occur around the face and lips. Is one dose of epinephrine always enough? When might I need two?
Approximately 20% of patients—about 1 in 5— who receive an initial dose of epinephrine for treatment of anaphylaxis require a second dose. Why? Sometimes an allergic reaction can be so severe, a second dose of epinephrine is required. In other cases, a second allergic reaction can occur 1 to 72 hours (usually within 8 hours) after the initial reaction—even with no further exposure to the allergic trigger. Therefore, it is important that patients at increased risk for anaphylaxis have two doses of epinephrine available. For your convenience, both EpiPen® and EpiPen Jr® Auto Injectors are available in EpiPen 2 Pak® cartons. It’s important that you keep both EpiPen® Auto Injectors together at all times. That way, an extra dose is available if it’s needed. More than two sequential doses of EpiPen® Auto Injector should be administered for the same episode only under direct medical supervision. Make sure you speak with your health care professional about how to identify the signs and symptoms of a life threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
ANAPHYLAXIS CAMPAIGN
GUIDELINES GUIDELINES EPIPEN TOTOEPIPEN
EDITION EDITION 2015 2015
Commonly asked question about Epi-Pen.
How long has EpiPen® been available?
How long has EpiPen® been available?
EpiPen® Auto Injector has been available for more than 25 years. Over 60 million EpiPen® Auto Injectors have been dispensed.* Many patients, caregivers and school nurses are already familiar with EpiPen® Auto Injector. *Based on IMS Data from 1987 2014
You should take your EpiPen® Auto Injectors everywhere you go, but they should be kept at room temperature (25°C, 77°F) until the marked expiration date, when they should be replaced. Your EpiPen® Auto Injector should not be refrigerated or exposed to extreme heat or light. Keep these temperature requirements in mind if you’re thinking of putting your auto injectors in your car’s glove compartment, for example. Learn how to receive a complimentary carrying case for your EpiPen® Auto Injectors.
How long has EpiPen® been available? EpiPen® Auto Injector has been available for more than 25 years. Over 60 million EpiPen® Auto Injectors have been dispensed.* Many patients, caregivers and school nurses are already familiar with EpiPen® Auto Injector. *Based on IMS Data from 1987 2014
Can I reuse EpiPen® Auto Injector? No. Although some of the liquid remains in the EpiPen® Auto Injector after an injection, it cannot be reused. Take your used EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr® Auto Injector with you to the emergency room or your health care professional’s office for proper disposal and obtain a replacement EpiPen® Auto Injector.
Do EpiPen® and EpiPen Jr® Auto Injectors expire? If so, what should I do when one expires? Like any medication, EpiPen® Auto Injector has an expiration date, which is printed on the side of the auto injector. Because the effectiveness of epinephrine may decrease after the expiration date, you should promptly refill your prescription before the expiration date. You can register your EpiPen® Auto Injectors online through the My EpiPen® program and we’ll send you reminders before your devices expire.
Is the EpiPen® Auto Injector carrier tube waterproof? No. The carrier tube has no rubber seal, and it is not waterproof. If your EpiPen®Auto Injector is ever submerged in water or another liquid, contact your health care professional immediately to obtain a new EpiPen® Auto Injector prescription.
What should I do with EpiPen® Auto Injector after it has been used? Take used EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr® AutoInjectors to the emergency room or health care professional’s office for proper disposal, and ask for a new EpiPen® Auto-Injector prescription.
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