• What is anaphylaxis?

    Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening severe allergic reaction and should always be treated as a medical emergency. Anaphylaxis occurs after exposure to an allergen such as foods, medicines, insect stings, or latex.1

    Signs of a reaction
    Why does it occur?
    How is it treated?

Symptoms of anaphylaxis are likely to include any of the following:1,2

difficulty_to-breathing

Difficulty/noisy
breathing

swelling_to-tongue

Swelling of
tongue

swelling_to-throat

Swelling/tightness
in the throat

difficulty_to-voice

Difficulty talking
and/or hoarse voice

wheeze_to-cough

Wheeze or
persistent cough

persistent_to-collapse

Persistent dizziness
or collapse

loss_to-collapse

Loss of consciousness
and/or collapse or
becoming pale and
floppy (in young children)

Symptoms of a mild to moderate allergic reaction may include:2

eye_to-eye

Swelling of lips,
face and eyes

hand_to-grey

Hives or welts

tongue_to-tongue2

Tingling mouth

men_to-men

Abdominal pain,
vomiting

(these are signs of
anaphylaxis or severe
allergic reaction for
insect allergy)

Always carry your EpiPen® Auto-Injector, if it’s with you, it could save you.3,4

Why does anaphylaxis occur?

Anaphylaxis can occur in people who are exposed to an allergen to which they are allergic.1

The role of our immune system is to protect us from ‘foreign invaders’. In people with anaphylaxis, the immune system 'overreacts' to the allergen. Contact with, or ingestion of this allergen sets off a chain reaction in the immune system that may lead to anaphylaxis.5

Several factors can influence the severity of allergic reaction.1

  • Exercise
  • Heat
  • Alcohol
  • Food - the amount eaten, and how it is prepared.
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How is anaphylaxis treated?

Anaphylaxis is both preventable and treatable.

Knowing your triggers and avoiding them is the best way to help prevent an anaphylactic event.1,6

A referral to a clinical immunology or allergy specialist will help you to identify your triggers and learn the best ways to avoid them and prevent anaphylaxis.1

However, no matter how careful you are, accidental exposure to a trigger can happen. That’s why it’s so important to be prepared.

Have an ASCIA Action Plan for anaphylaxis that you have discussed with your GP or specialist. The action plan will help you recognise symptoms of anaphylaxis, understand what steps to take if you or your child is experiencing anaphylaxis.

Make sure you always carry your EpiPen® Auto-Injector – and know how to use it.1,8

When a person is experiencing anaphylaxis, administer EpiPen® Auto-Injector as soon as possible.6

Help is available

You can find more help and advice on living with allergies and
anaphylaxis from the following organisations:

ASCIA is the peak professional body for clinical immunology and allergy in Australia and New Zealand. The ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/anaphylaxis provides accessible, consistent and evidence based resources, education and training about anaphylaxis for health professionals, patients, carers and community.

Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia is the peak not-for-profit organisation for those living with allergy including the risk of anaphylaxis. For trusted information and support, go to www.allergyfacts.org.au

Anaphylaxis = Severe allergic reaction. Allergen = something that causes allergic reaction

Login to MyEpiPen®

Join more than 35,000 EpiPen® Auto-Injector users and reap the benefits1

MyEpiPen® is an online resource dedicated to helping you and your family be better prepared to manage anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction). If you're not yet a member of MyEpiPen®, make sure you join today to receive:

  • An EpiPen®  Trainer – a training device to help you practise using EpiPen® Auto-Injector
  • How to use EpiPen® Auto-Injector fridge magnet - to serve as a useful reminder
  • Expiry reminders - to help ensure you always have an in-date EpiPen® Auto-Injector at hand
  • Regular updates on the latest anaphylaxis news

Register here

Welcome to MyEpiPen®

Patients and Carers

Our new website is designed to support Australians who have been diagnosed with
severe allergies and are at risk of anaphylaxis.

 

Schools and Pharmacists

We’re busy working on your new programs, and look forward to welcoming you to the
new site soon. In the meantime, please click below to access the EpiClub® site as usual.

July 2021. EPI-2021-0194.

When collecting your EpiPen® or EpiPen® Jr Auto-Injector prescription, your pharmacist may try to switch it, or talk to you about switching to Anapen®.1

EpiPen® Auto-Injectors and Anapen® are not the same:2-4

EpiPen® takes just 2 steps to use.2,3

Anapen® takes more steps.4

EpiPen® has a Never-See-Needle.™2,3

Anapen®’s needle is exposed after use.4

  • Switching means retraining: You, your family, friends and caregivers must retrain to use a different device correctly if you have an anaphylactic attack2-4
  • Switching means a different ASCIA Action Plan: You will also need to get a new ASCIA Action Plan, specific to Anapen®5

Remember, you don’t have to change. It’s your choice6
Be specific and tell your GP and pharmacist that you want your EpiPen® Auto-Injector prescription.

References:

  1. NPS Medicinewise. Brand equivalence — ‘a’ flagging explained. Available at: https://www.nps.org.au/radar/articles/brand-equivalence-a-flagging-explained. Accessed December 2021.
  2. EpiPen® Adrenaline (epinephrine) 300 μg/0.3 mL Auto-Injector. Consumer Medicine information. July 2021.
  3. EpiPen® Jr. Adrenaline (epinephrine) 150 μg/0.3 mL Auto-Injector. Consumer Medicine information. July 2021.
  4. Anapen® Consumer Medicine information. March 2021.
  5. ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis (RED). https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/ascia-plans-action-and-treatment. Accessed December 2021.
  6. Medical Director. Active Ingredient Prescribing is coming: here’s what you need to know. https://www.medicaldirector.com/news/clinical-practice/2020/08/active-ingredient-prescribing-is-coming-heres-what-you-need-to-know. Accessed December 2021.

February 2022. EPI-2021-0567.