July 15, 2010
Treating Severe Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions can sometimes be very scary, and even life threatening. These types of reactions can be caused by foods, insect stings, medications and other allergens. If you or a family member might be at risk for a severe reaction, it’s important to talk to your doctor about it – and carry a life-saving device called an epinephrine auto-injector.
Epinephrine is the primary medication used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions. The symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, include hives, throat swelling, difficulty breathing, stomach cramps, diarrhea, wheezing, chest tightness and low blood pressure. Epinephrine works by relaxing the muscles in the airways and tightening the blood vessels to increase blood pressure.
This medication comes in a single-dose automatic injector, and it is injected into the thigh. It is currently available in only two doses: 0.15 mg and 0.3 mg, and a doctor will prescribe the dose based on weight. It should only be used when someone is experiencing or about to experience a serious allergic reaction.
Multiple Doses
In some cases, it may take more than one epinephrine injection to treat an allergic reaction. In fact, one study reported that 25% of children in schools required two epinephrine doses to control their reaction.
If there is no response to the first dose, an injection may be repeated at 5- to 20-minute intervals. That’s why it’s important to have several epinephrine auto-injectors on hand. As allergists, it is common practice to prescribe more than one auto-injector.
Storage and Expiration
To protect the drug, it’s important to store epinephrine away from very hot or cold temperatures and direct sunlight. Auto-injector expiration dates should be checked, and prescriptions should be renewed promptly. Even if the epinephrine is not expired, it should be refilled if the fluid has turned from clear to a color.
Unique Instructions for Auto-Injectors
Recently, a generic epinephrine auto-injector became available on the market. So, some pharmacies may substitute the generic auto-injector for a brand name auto-injector, or vice versa.
Keep in mind that both brand name auto-injectors like Adrenaclick™, EpiPen® or Twinject™, as well as the generic version, each have their own unique instructions for proper administration. Patients and their families may have been trained by their allergist to use one type of auto-injector, and then receive another type from the pharmacy with different instructions. It’s very important to have a clear understanding of how to administer the epinephrine auto-injector provided by the pharmacy.
If you have been prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector, be sure that you have been carefully instructed on its use, how to recognize the symptoms of a severe reaction, and when to call 9-1-1 for emergency medical assistance.
