Epipen Jr (Adrenaline (Epinephrine))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Epipen Jr Used For?
Epipen Jr is a life-saving emergency medication that contains adrenaline (epinephrine), a natural hormone your body releases during stress. It’s specifically designed for children weighing between 15 kg and 30 kg who experience severe allergic reactions.
Primary Uses
Epipen Jr is only used for immediate emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) in children. These reactions can be caused by foods, medicines, stinging insects, insect bites, latex, or other allergens. It provides convenient first-aid treatment and may be given by the child themselves or a caregiver.
How It Works
Adrenaline works by shrinking abnormally wide blood vessels and making the heart beat stronger, which improves the very low blood pressure and poor circulation that occur 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.
Good to know: There is no visible needle, which helps overcome fear of injection. The hidden needle is very fine so the injection doesn’t usually hurt.
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How to Take Epipen Jr
Epipen Jr is a single-use 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
Epipen Jr delivers a fixed dose intended for children weighing between 15 kg and 30 kg. Use immediately when your child shows 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, hold firmly for 3 seconds. The dose may be repeated every 5 to 15 minutes if symptoms recur. Always carry two auto-injectors in case a second dose is needed.
Emergency Steps
1) Remove from protective tube and check solution is clear. 2) Make fist around device with thumb near blue safety release. 3) Remove blue safety release to activate. 4) Hold at 90° angle about 5 cm from outer thigh. 5) Hold child’s leg firmly and push orange end into thigh until you hear a click. 6) Keep pressing for 3 seconds. 7) Remove device – orange cover will extend over needle. 8) Seek immediate medical attention and call ambulance (000 in Australia).
Important: Do not inject more than two sequential doses unless under medical supervision. An overdose of adrenaline could cause harm.
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 include persistent fast heartbeat, severe breathing difficulties, severe chest pain
Important Warnings
Epipen Jr is a life-saving treatment that should not be withheld from anyone who needs it. However, certain medical conditions require extra caution.
Who Should Not Take Epipen Jr
Do not use if the packaging is torn or tampered with, if the solution is cloudy, colored, contains sediment, or if the viewing window is obscured. Do not use in children weighing more than 30 kg (use regular Epipen instead) or below 15 kg without doctor consultation. Do not use for other medical conditions or types of shock unless advised by doctor.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Give with caution to those with high blood pressure, thyroid problems, or high pressure in the eye (narrow-angle glaucoma). Take extra care with those having anesthesia or who have diabetes, heart disease, allergy to Epipen Jr, brain damage, Parkinson’s disease, depression, severe kidney problems, prostate tumor, high calcium levels, or low potassium levels. If you have thick subcutaneous fat, there’s risk the adrenaline may not reach muscle tissue effectively.
Injection Site Warning: Never inject into hands, feet, ears, nose, buttocks, genital area, or blood vessels. If accidental injection occurs, seek medical help immediately.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with how Epipen Jr works. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines your child is taking.
Diabetes Alert: People with diabetes should carefully monitor glucose levels after using Epipen Jr 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 medicines (levothyroxine sodium, thyroid hormones)
- Diabetes medications
- Asthma medicines (theophylline)
- Labor medicines (oxytocin)
- Nervous system medicines (parasympatholytics)
- Allergy medicines (antihistamines like diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine)
- Anesthesia medicines (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 adrenaline. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Your ability to drive and use machines may be affected by both the anaphylactic reaction and possible side effects from adrenaline.
Storage
Keep Epipen Jr in the protective carry tube until needed. Store below 25°C with temperature excursions between 15°C to 25°C permitted. Do not refrigerate. Protect from light and store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Extreme temperatures and dampness may cause malfunction. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
Because each Epipen Jr contains only one dose, overdose is unlikely. However, overdose may cause a rise in blood pressure, potentially leading to brain bleeding or fluid in the lungs. If you think too much has been used, immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if there are no signs of discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Epipen Jr works immediately upon injection to treat severe allergic reactions. However, you should always seek immediate medical attention even after using it, as the reaction may return or additional treatment may be needed.
No, Epipen Jr is for single use only and cannot be reused. The auto-injector must be replaced immediately after use, even if some adrenaline remains inside.
After proper use, the orange needle tip will be extended and the viewing window will be blocked/obscured. If the viewing window is not obscured, the injection may need to be repeated.
Replace Epipen Jr when the solution becomes brown, cloudy, or contains particles, when the viewing window is obscured, after it has been used, or before the expiration date. Check monthly through the viewing window and mark expiry dates on your calendar.
Yes, Epipen Jr can be used through clothing or directly on the skin. Inject into the outer mid-thigh area.
Immediately seek medical attention by calling an ambulance (000 in Australia) or contacting your doctor. Record the time it was given. Have the child lie down with feet raised unless this causes breathing difficulty. Stay with the child until help arrives as symptoms may return.
Always carry two Epipen Jr auto-injectors as a second dose may be needed if symptoms recur or don’t improve. The dose may be repeated every 5 to 15 minutes if necessary.
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.