Epipen (Epinephrine Auto Injector) Patient Information: Missed a Dose and What Should I Avoid at RxList

Pill Identifier Search

May 27, 2012

Epipen

Bee and Wasp Sting »

Insect stings overview

Bee and wasp stings are common causes of medical problems. Bees and wasps, together with fire ants, are all related insects that belong to the Hymenoptera order. Bee and wasp stings can cause significant reactions, ranging from localized pain and swelling to serious and even potentially fatal conditions. At least 40 deaths occur each year in the U.S. as a result of bee or wasp stings.

What are the types of wasps?

There are over 25,000 species of wasps found throughout the world. Some of the most common wasps include:

The yellow jacket and hornet, both of which live in groups, or colonies, in temperate climates.
Yellow jackets, which have black and yellow stripes on the abdomen, form underground nests.
Hornets are predominantly black with some yellow markings on the head and thorax. Hornets form paper-like nests that are attached to trees, bush...

Read the Bee and Wasp Sting article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Next »

Epipen User Reviews >>

Epipen

10 Common Allergy Triggers Slideshow Pictures

Take the Quiz on Allergies

Nasal Allergy Relief Slideshow Pictures

font size

Epipen Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since epinephrine is normally used only as needed in an emergency, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule. Do not use repeat doses of epinephrine injection without a doctor's advice.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include fast or pounding heartbeats, sudden and severe headache, sudden numbness or weakness, feeling like you might pass out, or sudden problems with vision, speech, or balance.

What should I avoid while using epinephrine ?

Do not inject epinephrine into a vein or into the muscles of your buttocks, or it may not work as well. Inject it only into the fleshy outer portion of the thigh.

Accidentally injecting epinephrine into your hands or feet may result in a loss of blood flow to those areas, and resulting numbness. If this occurs, seek emergency medical attention.

What other drugs will affect epinephrine?

The following drugs can interact with epinephrine injection. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
cold or sleep medication that contains chlorpheniramine (Coricidin, Robitussin Cough and Cold, Triaminic Allergy, and others) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Sominex, Nytol, Compoz, and others);
a diuretic (water pill);
levothyroxine (Synthroid);
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
a beta-blocker such as propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), and others;
ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine);
heart rhythm medication such as quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute, Quinidex); or
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with epinephrine injection. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about epinephrine injection.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2010 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.05. Revision date: 11/19/2009.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read,understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement,which can be accessed by clicking on this link.