EpiPen® and EpiPen® Jr. Auto-Injectors are used for first-aid treatment of a severe allergic reaction to triggers such as nuts, dairy products, medicines, insect bites or latex.1,2 A severe allergic reaction is also known as anaphylaxis.

Signs and symptoms

A severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, can be life-threatening. It can make a person feel extremely unwell. It may cause one or more of the following symptoms: difficult/noisy breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, tightness in the throat, difficulty talking or hoarse voice, wheeze or persistent cough, persistent dizziness or collapse and children can become pale and floppy.2

Some patients also experience swelling of the face, lips and eyes, hives or welts and abdominal pain and vomiting.2

What do EpiPen® and EpiPen® Jr. do?

EpiPen® and EpiPen® Jr. contain a specific dose of hormone called adrenaline to help the body fight a severe allergic reaction.1

The adrenaline in EpiPen® works to quickly start reversing the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction.3

It may relieve swelling of the throat, help a person to breathe normally, help increase their blood pressure and improve their heart rate.3

It is important to remember that some patients may need additional doses before the ambulance arrives. That’s why people prescribed EpiPen® should have two EpiPen® Auto-Injectors with them at all times.1,4

 

Prepared June 2021. EPI-2021-0199.