Skip to page content Home Page Access Keys

How to use your EpiPen

Our animation details the correct EpiPen administration technique. Suitable for Healthcare Professionals and patients, this animation can be used as a teaching tool in conjunction with an EpiPen training device.

Our animation requires the Flash 10 plugin for your web browser.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

EpiPen Auto-Injector:

Fig 1
  • Grasp EpiPen® in dominant hand, with thumb closest to grey safety cap
  • Pull off grey safety cap (Fig. 1)

 

Fig 2
  • Jab black end of the EpiPen® firmly into outer thigh, through clothing if necessary (Fig. 2)

 

Fig 3
  • Hold in place for 10 seconds (Fig. 3)
  • Remove EpiPen® from outer thigh
  • Massage injection area for 10 seconds
Fig 4
  • Ensure EpiPen® is disposed of safely as the needle will be exposed (Fig. 4)
  • Each EpiPen® can only be used once

BE PREPARED: Administer a second EpiPen Auto-Injector after 5-15 minutes if patient does not respond or original symptoms return.

Download the demonstration video on how to use your Epipen to your desktop

Contact your doctor if you are unsure about when to use your EpiPen or if you do not understand the instructions for using your EpiPen.

EpiPen Auto-Injector(s) delivers a single dose of adrenaline when activated.

Discard the EpiPen safely after use and hand it to the paramedic or bring it with you to an emergency room or hospital casualty department.

Sometimes a single dose of adrenaline may not be sufficient to completely reverse the effects of an allergic reaction.

As the EpiPen is designed for emergency treatment only, you should always seek medical help immediately, dial 999 and say 'anaphylaxis'. Make sure that you explain that you have received an intra-muscular injection of adrenaline.