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Epipen®
Auto-Injector
FAQs ?
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A. Q.
A. Q.
A. Why is there a new-style Epipen® Auto-Injector?
The original Epipen Auto-Injector has been used and trusted for over 30 years. Even so, the makers of Epipen Auto-Injector have
collected patient feedback and added certain patient-friendly features, resulting in a newly designed Epipen Auto-Injector device. The
medication itself (adrenaline) has not changed. If you currently have the original Epipen Auto-Injector, there is no need to replace or
exchange it until your current Epipen® Auto-Injector expires.
Can Epipen® Auto-Injector be used through clothing?
Ideally remove clothing from injection site if possible. If this is difficult, Epipen® Auto-Injector may be injected through clothing, including jeans. Avoid heavy seams.
How quickly does Epipen® Auto-Injector take effect?
Adrenaline works within minutes and has a short half-life. Its effects may begin to wear off after 10-15 minutes so it is not a substitute for proper medical care. After administration of Epipen Auto-Injector, always seek emergency medical attention – call 111.
The EpiPen dose may be repeated after 5 to 15 minutes if symptoms recur or have not subsided.
Q.
At what age should a child change from Epipen® Jr Auto-Injector to Epipen® Auto-Injector Adult?
A. The point of change is NOT determined by age. It is based on the weight of the child. In New Zealand the Medsafe approved guidelines
are that Epipen Auto-Injector Junior is suitable for children 15-30kg. Once the child is over 30kg in weight, they should be changed over
to Epipen Auto-Injector Adult.
In Australia, the Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) have slightly different guidelines and there are some
specialist’s in New Zealand who choose to work with the ASCIA guidelines. The ASCIA guidelines state that Epipen Junior Auto-Injector
is suitable for children weighing 10-20kg and once the child is over 20kg in weight, an adult Epipen Auto-Injector should be used.
The patient’s doctor or allergy specialist will determine which dose is right for the patient.
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Can Epipen® Auto-Injector be stored in the fridge?
No. Epipen Auto-Injector should be stored at room temperature (15 to 25°C). The manufacturers state that prolonged refrigeration will
not harm the adrenaline solution, but may cause the plastics in the device to become brittle, leading to device failure.
The solution is cloudy, can it still be used?
If the solution is cloudy, discoloured or contains visible particles, it is possible that the adrenaline has been compromised and it is
recommended that the Epipen Auto-Injector be replaced.
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Does a patient or administrator need training in order to use Epipen® Auto-Injector?
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Does the customer need a prescription to purchase Epipen Auto-Injector?
Q.
A.
training devices are available for schools, childcare centres and other interested individuals through Allergy NZ and a variety of other
training providers. Consumers can also access training videos and additional resources via the Epiclub website www.epiclub.co.nz.
No. Epipen Auto-Injector is a Pharmacist Only Medicine and can be sold by a Pharmacist or other medically trained healthcare
professional after an appropriate consultation.
Does Epipen® Auto-Injector expire at the beginning or end of the month printed on the box?
The product expires at the end of the month stated on the label.
Don’t take
the risk
The information contained on this website is intended for New Zealand healthcare professionals only and is intended to be used for educational purposes only. It does not cover all available information. EpiPen (adrenaline
300mcg/0.3ml) and EpiPen Jr (adrenaline 150mcg/0.3ml) Auto-Injector. Medicine Classification: Restricted medicine. Indications: For the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis (acute severe allergic reactions) due to insect
stings, or bites, foods, medications or other allergens. Contraindications: Arrhythmias, cerebral arteriosclerosis; maternal hypertension in excess of 130/80; shock (other than anaphylactic shock), organic brain damage, or during
general anaesthesia with halogenated hydrocarbons or cyclopropane, and in patients where vasopressor drugs are contraindicated. Precautions: Patients with allergies to sulphites, cardiac dilation, ventricular fibrillation,
myocardial infarction and other heart conditions, elderly, diabetes and other diseases. Interactions: Concomitant use with other sympathomimetic agents not advised. Caution in combination with CNS agents; TCAs; MAOIs;
levothyroxine and thyroid hormones; some antihistamines; alpha-adrenergic blocking agents; beta-adrenergic blocking agents; digoxin; quinidine; general anaesthetics; hypoglycaemic agents. See datasheet for more
information and incompatibilities. Adverse Effects: Potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation may occur and severe hypertension may lead to cerebral haemorrhage and pulmonary oedema.
Other symptomatic adverse events can occur. Dosage & Administration: EpiPen delivers a single 300µg intramuscular dose of adrenaline and should only be used in patients weighing more than 30 kg. EpiPen Jr delivers a
single 150µg intramuscular dose of adrenaline and should only be used in children weighing 15kg to 30kg. EpiPen and EpiPen Jr are non-funded medicines. Patients are required to pay the full cost. Before recommending
this medicine please refer to full datasheet available from www.medsafe.govt.nz. EpiPen® is a registered trademark of Mylan Inc. Mylan NZ Ltd., Auckland. TAPS NA6569