Adrenaline Viatris (Adrenaline (Epinephrine))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Adrenaline Viatris Used For?
Adrenaline 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 the immediate emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions.
Primary Uses
Adrenaline Viatris is only used for emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) caused by foods, medicines, stinging insects, insect bites, latex, or other allergens. It treats life-threatening reactions that affect your whole body or several body parts, including your heart, blood circulation, airways, lungs, stomach, bowels, skin, and brain.
How It Works
Adrenaline works by shrinking abnormally wide blood vessels and making your heart beat stronger, which improves very low blood pressure and poor circulation. It also relaxes your 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.
Good to know: The auto-injector has a hidden needle that is very fine, so the injection usually doesn’t hurt, and there’s a clear viewing window so you can see the contents.
How to Use Adrenaline Viatris
Adrenaline Viatris is an auto-injector that delivers one pre-measured dose of adrenaline. It’s crucial to learn how to use it properly before an emergency occurs.
Dosage Instructions
For single use only. Adrenaline Viatris is intended for people weighing 30 kg or more, though it may be prescribed for children weighing between 15 kg and 30 kg. Use immediately when you have signs of severe allergic reaction including 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. Inject into the outer mid-thigh at a 90° angle, press firmly until you hear a click, and hold for 3 seconds. With severe reactions, repeat injections may be necessary every 5-15 minutes if symptoms recur. Always carry two auto-injectors in case a second dose is needed.
Emergency Steps
1) Remove from carry tube and check solution is clear. 2) Make fist around injector with thumb near blue safety release. 3) Remove blue safety release to activate. 4) Hold at 90° angle 5cm from outer thigh. 5) Push orange end firmly into thigh until click is heard, hold for 3 seconds. 6) Remove injector – orange cover will extend over needle. 7) Seek immediate medical attention. 8) Record the time given. After use, call ambulance (000 in Australia) even if symptoms improve.
Important: Do not inject more than two sequential doses unless under medical supervision. An overdose of adrenaline could cause harm. 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 of overdose including very high blood pressure
- Bleeding in the brain
- Fluid in the lungs
- Accidental injection into hands, feet, ears, nose, buttocks, or genital area
Important Warnings
Adrenaline Viatris is a life-saving treatment that should not be withheld from anyone who needs it. However, certain precautions should be taken with specific medical conditions.
Who Should Not Use Adrenaline Viatris
Do not use if the packaging is torn or tampered with, if the contents are cloudy, colored, contain sediment, or if the viewing window is obscured. Do not use in children weighing below 15 kg without careful medical assessment. Do not use to treat other medical conditions or types of shock unless advised by your doctor.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Use with caution if you have high blood pressure, thyroid problems, high pressure in the eye (narrow-angle glaucoma), diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, depression, asthma, severe kidney problems, prostate tumor, high calcium levels, or low potassium levels. Also discuss if you’re having anesthesia, have brain damage, or are allergic to sodium metabisulfite. People with thick subcutaneous fat may need a second injection due to suboptimal effect.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or intend to breastfeed before using Adrenaline Viatris.
Emergency Use: This is a life-saving medication. The benefits of using it during a severe allergic reaction outweigh the risks, even in people with medical conditions that require caution.
Drug Interactions
Several medications may interfere with Adrenaline Viatris and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you’re taking.
Diabetes monitoring: People with diabetes should carefully monitor their glucose levels after using Adrenaline Viatris as adrenaline can affect insulin production and increase blood glucose levels.
- 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 medicines
- Asthma medications (theophylline)
- Labor medications (oxytocin)
- Nervous system medications (parasympatholytics)
- Allergy medications (antihistamines like diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine)
- Anesthesia medications (halothane, cyclopropane, trichlorethylene)
Alcohol & Driving
Your ability to function normally may be affected both by the severe allergic reaction and by the effects of adrenaline treatment.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may increase the effects of adrenaline, so discuss this with your healthcare provider.
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. Use caution when driving or operating machinery after using this medication.
Storage
Keep the auto-injector in the protective carry tube until needed and protect from light. Store below 25°C with temperature excursions between 15°C to 25°C permitted. Do not refrigerate. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight – avoid bathrooms, sinks, cars, or window sills. Handle carefully to avoid accidental activation. Keep readily available with the person for whom it’s intended and out of reach of children as it’s not a toy.
Overdose Information
Because each auto-injector contains only one dose, overdose is unlikely. However, overdose may cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure, potentially leading to brain bleeding or lung fluid. If you think you’ve used too much, immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adrenaline Viatris works immediately upon injection. It’s designed for emergency use and begins working right away to counteract severe allergic reactions. However, you must still seek immediate medical attention even if symptoms improve.
No, Adrenaline Viatris is for single use only. Once activated, it cannot and should not be reused. You’ll need a replacement auto-injector immediately after use.
Check your auto-injector monthly through the viewing window to ensure the solution remains clear, colorless, and sediment-free. Also check the expiry date regularly and mark it on your calendar to ensure replacement before it expires.
Immediately seek further medical attention by calling an ambulance (000 in Australia) or contacting your doctor, even if symptoms appear to be improving. Record the time the injection was given. You may need additional medical treatment and hospital observation.
Yes, Adrenaline Viatris can be injected through clothing directly into the outer mid-thigh. You don’t need to remove clothing first, which saves valuable time during an emergency.
You should always carry two auto-injectors in case a second dose is required. With severe, persistent allergic reactions, repeat injections may be necessary every 5 to 15 minutes if symptoms recur or haven’t subsided.
If accidental injection occurs, especially into hands, feet, ears, nose, buttocks, or genital area, seek medical attention immediately. Never place your thumb, fingers, or hand over the orange end, and always point it away from any body part except the intended injection site.
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.