"Anaphylaxis is a severe and sudden allergic reaction when a person is exposed to an allergen. The most common allergens are eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (e.g. cashews), cow's milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, soy, certain insect stings and medications."
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Questions About The Re-Designed Epipen®
What are the differences between the re-designed
Epipen® and the original EpiPen®?
A. It is important to understand that the re-
designed Epipen® and EpiPen® Jr have the same reliable
auto-injector mechanical properties and contain the same
dose and formulation of epinephrine. The needle gauge (bore
or diameter) and length are exactly the same as the
preceding version of EpiPen®s. Importantly, the
administration of the EpiPen® is exactly the same, only the
colours of the safety release (formerly gray now blue) and
the injection tip (formerly black now orange) has been
changed. The colours of the ends or tips of the EpiPen®
were changed to make them more distinguishable, especially
among users who may be colour blind and may have difficulty
distinguishing colours.
There has been a change to the shape of the injector
from round to a larger oval shape:
- The oval shape allows for
the mechanics of the automatic needle protection device.
This has been added to prevent accidental needle
sticks.
- Once the dose is administered and the EpiPen® is
released from the injection site, the orange needle cover
automatically extends and immediately locks in place
encasing the needle to prevent accidental needle
sticks.
- Further, the way the orange needle cover is designed
the patient never actually sees the needle either prior to
or after administration of the dose.
- The oval shape also allows for more surface area for
the labelling information and administration instructions
on the EpiPen® which has been revised to be more visual in
order to aid in accurate use of the EpiPen®.
- Lastly, the oval shape makes the EpiPen® easy to grip
in your hand and it also makes it more recognizable as a
medical product, differentiating it from an item of a
comparable shape or appearance (e.g., ink pen, lipstick or
chap-stick container, cigar, etc.).
What are the differences between the re-designed
Epipen® and the original EpiPen®?
A. It is important to understand that the re-
designed Epipen® and EpiPen® Jr have the same reliable
auto-injector mechanical properties and contain the same
dose and formulation of epinephrine. The needle gauge (bore
or diameter) and length are exactly the same as the
preceding version of EpiPen®s. Importantly, the
administration of the EpiPen® is exactly the same, only the
colours of the safety release (formerly gray now blue) and
the injection tip (formerly black now orange) has been
changed. The colours of the ends or tips of the EpiPen®
were changed to make them more distinguishable, especially
among users who may be colour blind and may have difficulty
distinguishing colours.
There has been a change to the shape of the injector
from round to a larger oval shape:
- The oval shape allows for
the mechanics of the automatic needle protection device.
This has been added to prevent accidental needle
sticks.
- Once the dose is administered and the EpiPen® is
released from the injection site, the orange needle cover
automatically extends and immediately locks in place
encasing the needle to prevent accidental needle
sticks.
- Further, the way the orange needle cover is designed
the patient never actually sees the needle either prior to
or after administration of the dose.
- The oval shape also allows for more surface area for
the labelling information and administration instructions
on the EpiPen® which has been revised to be more visual in
order to aid in accurate use of the EpiPen®.
- Lastly, the oval shape makes the EpiPen® easy to grip
in your hand and it also makes it more recognizable as a
medical product, differentiating it from an item of a
comparable shape or appearance (e.g., ink pen, lipstick or
chap-stick container, cigar,
etc.).
Is there any change in the medication of the re-
designed Epipen®?
A. The medication delivered by the re-designed
Epipen® or EpiPen® Jr is still epinephrine of the same
formulation and respective dose. Although the outward
appearance of the EpiPen®s is different, both products have
the same functionality or mechanics as the preceding style
of EpiPen®s. Importantly, tests were performed with the
re-designed Epipen® products to ensure that the chemistry
(medication and dose) and functionality of the EpiPen® was
comparable to the preceding style of EpiPen®.
How do I administer my re-designed Epipen®?
A. Though the re-designed Epipen® may look
different it still requires the same 2 simple steps to
administer the dose:
- Remove the blue safety
release
- Swing and push the orange tip, firmly into the mid-
outer thigh so that it 'clicks' and hold on the thigh for
several seconds
Seek medical attention immediately.
When the dose is administered and the EpiPen® is
released from the injection site, the orange needle cover
will automatically extend and immediately locks in
place.
Give any used EpiPen®s to emergency responders or
emergency room personnel to discard.
These instructions are found on the barrel of the
EpiPen® as well as in the prescribing information.
How many seconds should I hold the re-designed
Epipen® in place when I inject?
A. The instructions on the EpiPen® cartridge
state you should swing the arm and push the orange tip
firmly into the mid-outer thigh so it 'clicks' and hold it
on the thigh for several seconds. By holding the EpiPen® in
place at the injection site for several seconds, it helps
assure that the dose of epinephrine has been delivered
satisfactorily.
How do I know if my EpiPen® has been activated?
A. The extended orange needle cover and obscured
window indicates that EpiPen® has delivered the
drug.
What should I do if I accidentally remove the safety
release from my re-designed Epipen®?
A. If the unit has not been activated, then the
safety release can be carefully replaced.
Because removing the safety release prepares the unit
for activation, you should gently place the unit in its
needle-safe storage tube. Make sure the safety release end
faces towards the opening, and secure the blue safety
release in place. Be very careful to keep your fingers
clear of each end.
Does EpiPen® come with needle protection?
A. EpiPen® has a needle protection device (orange
needle cover or sheath) built-in within the unit. This
device automatically deploys or extends when the dose is
administered and the EpiPen® is removed from the injection
site.
The extended needle protection sheath will prevent the
EpiPen® from fitting back into the carrier tube.
How do I read the expiry date on my re-designed
Epipen®?
A. The expiration date is expressed as the month
and the last 2 digits of the year. For example an
expiration designation of "Exp: JA 12" indicates that the
EpiPen® expires the last day (31st) of January 2012, thus
the expiration date in this example would be January 31,
2012.
Further, Expiration dates on EpiPen® (Canada) are different
than product from the U.S. The Canadian product is designed
to be "bilingual friendly", e.g. JA = Jan, JN = June, JL =
July, MA = May, MR = March.
If more than one dose is required, can I use my re-
designed Epipen® and my original EpiPen®?
A. Although the outward appearance of the 2
EpiPen®s is different, both products have the same
functionality or mechanics. Further, the medication
delivered by the re-designed Epipen® or EpiPen® Jr is still
epinephrine of the same formulation and respective dose as
the original EpiPen®s. If more than one dose of EpiPen® is
required, it does not matter whether the old or re-designed
presentation of EpiPen® is used; as long as the product is
still within the expiration date.
REMEMBER to always protect your EpiPen® or AnaPen by
using an insulated Auto-Injector pouch such as the
Activeaide EpiPen® pouch. The only pouch that is hospital
approved.
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