Using An Epi-Pen® or An Epi-Pen Jr®

This information was reviewed and approved by Bruce J. Lanser, MD, MPH (6/29/2016).

The EpiPen^® Auto-Injector is an easy and convenient way to give epinephrine. Epinephrine is a medicine used to treat an anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a systemic (whole body), life threatening allergic reaction. It is the most severe type of allergic reaction. The EpiPen is designed to provide fast, reliable first-aid for an anaphylactic reactions. It works quickly to help reverse symptoms which may follow exposure to insect bites and stings, food or drug reactions and exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

The EpiPen Auto-Injector is compact and easily carried in your pocket, purse or fanny-pack. The EpiPen is pre-assembled, filled and ready to use right away. A tiny, concealed, spring-activated needle penetrates the skin once the syringe is activated. The EpiPen is available in two strengths: EpiPen (yellow label) and EpiPen Jr^® (green label). Your health care provider will prescribe the EpiPen that you should use. You should be taught how to use the EpiPen by a health care professional.

How To Use An Epipen or Epipen Jr. Auto-Injector

Remove the Epipen from the carrier tube

Flip open the yellow cap of the EpiPen or the green cap from the Epipen Jr Auto-Injector carrier tube.
Remove the EpiPen or Epipen Jr. Auto-Injector by tipping and sliding it out of the carrier tube.

Give the Epipen injection

Grasp the unit with the orange tip pointing downward. Never put your hands, fingers or thumb over the orange tip.
Form a fist around the unit (orange tip down).
With your other hand, pull off the blue safety cap.
Hold the orange tip near the outer thigh.
Hold the leg firmly when giving the EpiPen injection. This means holding a young child’s leg firmly in place and limit movement.
Swing and firmly push against the outer thigh until it clicks so that the unit is perpendicular (at 90º angle) to the thigh. Do not inject into the buttocks.
Hold firmly against the thigh for 3 seconds to deliver the medicine.
Remove the unit from the thigh (the orange needle cover will extend to cover the needle) and massage the injection area for 10 seconds.
Call 911 and seek medical attention right away. The effects from this medicine may wear off in 10-20 minutes.
Take the used auto-injector with you to the hospital emergency room.

Video: Learn How to Use an EpiPen -- It Could Save a Life

Hi, my name is Emily Cole and I'm a registered nurse here at National Jewish Health in the pediatric department.

I'm going to be teaching you how to use an EpiPen.

An EpiPen is a very important key in saving a child's life when there is a severe anaphylactic reaction going on.

Many parents are very scared to use the EpiPen, but don't be because it could save your child's life. The EpiPen comes in a two-pack like this.

You remove the EpiPen from the plastic container.

You hold the EpiPen in your hand tightly within your palm.

You never want to cover any of the openings, the ends.

The orange end is going to be the needle.

The blue end is what you're going to pull off to activate.

In order to activate the EpiPen, you remove the blue cap and you will inject it into the lateral thigh, which is the big muscle on the outside portion of the child's leg.

You hold it at a 90-degree angle and you insert until you hear a click. You hold that click for 10 seconds.

Most parents don't know that it's okay to use this through the child's clothing, so don't worry about hassling trying to get their clothes off.

You can just do it through their clothes.

After 10 seconds, you're going to remove the EpiPen and massage that area gently for 10 seconds.

Then you're going to call 911.

There is a second EpiPen in the pack just in case emergency services have not shown up in about 15 to 20 minutes or in case the reaction is getting more severe.

If you have any questions, you can contact your health care provider.

An EpiPen is a prescription that you can get through your primary care physician.

Special Tips About Using an Epipen Auto-Injector

Remember, if you use the EpiPen you should call 911 and seek medical attention right away. The effects from this medication may wear off in 10-20 minutes.
After using the EpiPen, most people experience a rapid heartbeat and "nervousness." Ask your health care provider for a complete list of side effects.
Watch for signs or symptoms of infection, such as persistent redness, warmth, swelling, or tenderness, at the EpiPen injection site. See the health care provider if this occurs.
Keep your EpiPen at room temperature. Do not expose it to extreme cold, heat or direct sunlight. Refrigeration can cause the Auto-Injector to malfunction. Light and heat can cause the medicine to go bad, turning brown. Look through the viewing window of the unit regularly, to make sure the solution is clear and colorless.
Check the expiration date on your EpiPen. Be sure to replace your EpiPen before the expiration date. You can dispose of an expired Epipen at the Doctors office or hospital.

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