There is no known reason why anyone should not use EpiPen® during an allergic emergency. Take special care with EpiPen® Adrenaline is essential for the treatment of anaphylaxis. However, take special care with EpiPen®: particularly
if you have heart disease as it may affect the medicines that you are taking and may bring on an attack of chest pain (angina)
if you have an overactive thyroid
if you have high blood pressure
if you have diabetes
if you are elderly, pregnant or the child weighs less than 25 kg (3 stone 13 lbs) as there is a greater risk of getting side effects.
if you have increased pressure in your eye(s) (glaucoma)
if you have severe kidney problems
if you have a tumour in your prostrate
if you have high calcium levels or a low potassium level in your blood
if you have Parkinson’s disease
EpiPen® Expiry Date Alert Service It is important that your EpiPen® should be replaced before the expiry date marked on the label. For your safety and convenience, Meda offers all patients prescribed EpiPen an expiry date alert service. We will contact you to remind you when you need to replace your EpiPen Please fill in the form below and return it to: EpiPen Alert Service, Mylan Products Limited, Building 4, Trident Place, Mosquito Way, Hatfield, Herts, AL10 9UL EpiPen® Expiry Date Alert Form Please print clearly in capital letters. Lot No.: Expiry Date: (see label) (see label) Your Full Name: Your Doctor’s Name: Your Mailing Address: Your Doctor’s Address: Postal Code: Postal Code: Please remember to inform us if you change address. Tel No.: P090820012998 165 GI_2105_2477195_P090820012998_56UK2065103-12_p1.indd 131.05.21 13:59Viewing window Make sure you have discussed this with your doctor if any of these apply to you. Patients with these conditions, or anyone who may be in the position to administer EpiPen® to a patient having an allergic reaction, should be properly instructed on how and when to give it. The instructions for use must be carefully followed in order to avoid accidental injection. EpiPen® should only be injected into the outer thigh. It should not be injected into the buttock due to the risk of accidental injection into a vein. Warnings and precautions If you have asthma you may be at increased risk of severe allergic reaction. Anyone who has an episode of anaphylaxis should see their doctor about testing for substances they may be allergic to, so these can be strictly avoided in future. It is important to be aware that an allergy to one substance can lead to allergies to a number of related substances. If you have food allergies it is important to check the ingredients in everything you ingest (including medicines) as even small amounts can cause severe reactions. Accidental injection into the hands or fingers may result in reduced blood supply to these areas. If there is an accidental injection into these areas, you should go immediately to the nearest hospital casualty department for treatment. If you have a thick-subcutaneous fat layer, there is a risk of the adrenaline not reaching the muscle tissue resulting in a suboptimal effect. In such individuals there may be a higher likelihood of needing a second injection with an additional EpiPen. Therefore you should ensure you carry two auto-injectors with you at all times. In case of injection performed by a caregiver, immobilization of the patient’s leg should be ensured during injection to minimize the risk of injection site laceration. The needle should never be reinserted after use.