Author: JJA
COMMON USES:
Used only for the emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions for children with a history of allergies to insect stings or bites, foods, drugs, etc.
HOW IT?S SUPPLIED:
0.30 milligram auto-injector (EpiPen?)
0.15 milligram auto-injector (EpiPen?Jr.)
HOW IT WORKS:
Also known as adrenaline, epinephrine makes the heart beat faster, while causing arteries and veins to constrict (become tighter) which increases your blood pressure.
Epinephrine also relaxes lungs, decreasing wheezing and chest tightness, and decreases skin rashes and itching.
THINGS TO DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR:
* Use with extreme caution in children with heart disease.
* Side effects may include fast or irregular heartbeat, nausea, and/or difficulty breathing.
* May also cause sweating, weakness, dizziness, tremor and/or anxiousness.
* Side effects may be worse in a child also taking tricyclic antidepressants or MAO inhibiter medicines.
* Should only be injected into muscle on the side of the front of the thigh.
* Effects of an injected dose last only 15-20 minutes.
* Designed for emergency use only. Children who receive epinephrine should receive emergency medical care as soon as possible.
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