Page 28 - Anaphylaxis in Schools & Other Settings, 3rd Edition Revised

About Epinephrine Auto-injectors
Epinephrine auto-injectors (“auto-injectors”) are easy to use with a concealed needle that contains
a pre-measured dose of epinephrine. They are ‘intramuscular’ devices which should be injected into the muscle of the mid-outer thigh to release the medication. There is currently one epinephrine auto- injector available in Canada: EpiPen®. This product comes in two dosages or strengths - 0.15 mg and 0.30 mg - that are prescribed based on a person’s weight. For information about product features, contact the following company or visit the website.
EpiPen®
Pfizer Canada Inc.
17300 Trans-Canada Highway
Kirkland, Quebec H9J 2M5 Web: www.epipen.ca
Tel: 1-877-EPIPEN1 (1-877-374-7361) Fax: 514-426-6831
Email: corporate.affairs.canada@pfizer.com
TIPS
Colour
Epinephrine should be clear in colour. If the solution is discoloured, cloudy or contains particles, the auto-injector device should be replaced.
Weight/Dosage
According to product instructions, the 0.30 mg dosage of the EpiPen® auto-injector should be used
for adults and children weighing 30 kg (66 lbs) or more; and the 0.15 mg dosage should be used for children weighing between 15 kg to 30 kg (33 and 66 lbs). Some health care providers may prescribe differently than these dosages. The individual’s health care provider will prescribe the appropriate dose for their patient, including the switch from the lower dosage to the higher dosage and the dose for children who weigh less than 15 kg (33 lbs).
Body Position
When giving epinephrine, it is recommended to have the person sit or lie down. When administering
to a child, it may be helpful to support or brace their leg to reduce movement. After giving epinephrine, place the person on their back with their legs raised.1 If they feel sick or are vomiting, they should be placed on their side so that the airway is clear and they do not choke on vomit. It is important to avoid having an individual immediately sit up or stand after receiving epinephrine as these sudden changes
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Anaphylaxis in Schools & Other Settings
© 2005-2016 Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Appendix A