Adrenaline Jr Viatris (Adrenaline (Epinephrine))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Adrenaline Jr Viatris Used For?
Adrenaline Jr Viatris is a life-saving emergency medication that contains adrenaline (epinephrine), a natural hormone your body releases during stress. This auto-injector is specifically designed for children weighing between 15-30 kg who experience severe allergic reactions.
Primary Uses
This medication is only used for immediate emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) caused by foods, medicines, stinging insects, insect bites, latex, or other allergens. It is not for treating any other medical conditions.
How It Works
Adrenaline works by shrinking abnormally wide blood vessels and making the heart beat stronger, which improves very low blood pressure and poor circulation during severe allergic reactions. It also relaxes the lungs to ease breathing and reduce wheezing, and helps stop swelling of the face, lips, throat, tongue, hands and feet, as well as skin rash and itching.
Life-saving treatment: This is a life-saving treatment that should not be withheld from anyone who needs it. The hidden needle is very fine so the injection usually doesn’t hurt.
How to Use Adrenaline Jr Viatris
This auto-injector delivers one pre-measured dose of adrenaline and is for single use only. It’s crucial to learn how to use it properly before an emergency occurs.
Emergency Use Instructions
Use immediately when your child shows signs of severe allergic reaction: collapse, difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling (especially face, lips, tongue, throat), flushing, irregular pulse, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, skin rash, hives, itching, or loss of consciousness. Remove blue safety cap, make fist around device with thumb near blue release, remove blue safety release, hold at 90° angle to outer thigh about 5cm away, hold child’s leg firmly, push orange end firmly into outer mid-thigh until you hear/feel a click, keep pressing for 3 seconds. Can be used through clothing.
After Use
Seek immediate medical attention even if symptoms improve. Call ambulance (000 in Australia) and state your child received intramuscular adrenaline. Have child lie down with feet raised unless breathless (then sit up). Record the time given. A second dose may be needed every 5-15 minutes if symptoms return. Always carry two auto-injectors.
Important: Do not inject more than two sequential doses unless under medical supervision. Never inject into hands, feet, ears, nose, buttocks, genital area or blood vessels.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Fast or noticeable heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Signs requiring immediate medical attention should be reported to doctor or pharmacist
Important Warnings
While this is a life-saving medication that shouldn’t be withheld when needed, certain medical conditions require extra caution.
Who Should Use With Caution
Give with caution to children with high blood pressure, thyroid problems, high pressure in the eye (narrow-angle glaucoma), diabetes, heart disease, brain damage, or those having anesthesia. Children with thick subcutaneous fat may need a second injection due to suboptimal effect.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if your child has heart disease, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, depression or takes depression medication, thyroid problems or thyroid medication, diabetes, narrow angle glaucoma, asthma, severe kidney problems, prostate tumor, high calcium or low potassium blood levels, or allergy to sodium metabisulfite.
When Not to Use
Do not use if packaging is torn or tampered with, if contents are cloudy, colored, contain sediment, or if viewing window is obscured. Do not use in children weighing below 15 kg or above 30 kg unless specifically advised by doctor.
Weight Requirements: This formulation is specifically for children weighing 15-30 kg. Different formulations exist for other weight ranges.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with how Adrenaline Jr Viatris works. Always tell your doctor about all medications your child takes.
Diabetes monitoring: Children with diabetes should carefully monitor glucose levels after use as adrenaline can affect insulin production and increase blood glucose.
- Heart disease medicines (digitalis, digoxin, quinidine, alpha and beta blockers)
- Parkinson’s disease treatments (catechol-O-methyl transferase inhibitors, levodopa)
- Depression medications (tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors)
- Thyroid medications (levothyroxine sodium, thyroid hormones)
- Diabetes medications
- Asthma medications (theophylline)
- Labor medications (oxytocin)
- Nervous system medications (parasympatholytics)
- Allergy medications (antihistamines like diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine)
- Anesthesia medications (halothane, cyclopropane, trichlorethylene)
Alcohol & Driving
Both the allergic reaction and adrenaline can affect your ability to function normally.
Alcohol
Alcohol may increase the effects of this medicine. Inform your doctor about alcohol consumption.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Your ability to drive and use machines may be affected by both the anaphylactic reaction and possible adverse effects of adrenaline.
Storage
Keep the auto-injector in the protective carry tube until needed. Protect from light. Store below 25°C with temperature excursions between 15°C to 25°C permitted. Do not refrigerate. Check expiry date monthly and replace before expiration. Replace immediately if solution becomes cloudy, colored, contains sediment, or viewing window is obscured.
Overdose Information
Because each auto-injector contains only one dose, overdose is unlikely. However, overdose may cause rise in blood pressure leading to brain bleeding or lung fluid. If you think too much has been used, immediately phone Poisons Information Centre (Australia 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even without symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adrenaline Jr Viatris is designed for immediate emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions. It delivers the medication directly into the muscle for rapid absorption, but you should still seek immediate medical attention even if symptoms appear to improve.
No, each Adrenaline Jr Viatris auto-injector is for single use only and cannot be reused. You should always carry two auto-injectors in case a second dose is needed, which may be given every 5-15 minutes if symptoms return.
Seek immediate medical attention by calling an ambulance (000 in Australia) and state that your child received intramuscular adrenaline. Have your child lie down with feet raised unless they’re breathless, then have them sit up. Stay with your child until help arrives and record the time the injection was given.
After use, the orange needle cover will extend to cover the needle and the viewing window should be obscured. If the viewing window is not obscured, the dose may not have been delivered properly.
Yes, Adrenaline Jr Viatris can be injected through clothing directly into the outer mid-thigh. You don’t need to remove clothing in an emergency situation.
Check your auto-injector monthly through the viewing window to ensure the solution is clear, colorless, and sediment-free. Also check the expiry date and mark it on your calendar. Replace immediately if the solution is cloudy, colored, contains particles, or if the viewing window is obscured.
Adrenaline Jr Viatris is specifically designed for children weighing between 15 kg and 30 kg. Different formulations are available for other weight ranges, so consult your doctor or pharmacist for the appropriate dose based on your child’s weight.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.