Anaphylaxis pens

An Article by Worsley Training – First Aid Training in and around Wiltshire

Although they are all often called Epipens there are 3 main types of adrenalin auto-injectors on the market in the UK:

 * Epipen – the top image 

* Jext pen – the middle image 

* Emerade pen – the bottom image

They are all a single shot of adrenalin in an auto-injector, which are brilliant as so easy to administer and you never see the needle as a guard pops out after it has been used. The junior versions are a smaller dose and a different coloured label.

You must remember however that they do not cure the problem – only buy you time by reducing the swelling. It will come back after approx 15 mins depending how severe the reaction is, so you must always call 999/112 for paramedics.

They each have slightly different operating instructions so read the label carefully. For an Epipen:

1 – hold it in your fist with the blue end pointing to the sky and the orange end to their thigh
2 – remove the blue safety cap
3 – from about 10 centimetres away jab the orange end firmly into their outer thigh through their clothes
4 – hold for 3 seconds for the adrenaline to drain in

Jext pens have a yellow safety cap and Emerade have a white lid. You do not need to jab from 10 cms away with either of these as the needle will release from just pressing the correct end firmly onto their outer thigh.

Once administered, lie the casualty down and raise their legs. Be prepared to administer a second pen if required.

Do you carry one? Or know someone who does? Do your /their family and close friends know where it is kept and how to administer it? Have you ever administered one? The key is to have the confidence to go for it, as the sooner the better.

See the Anaphylaxis campaign for more information.

Book onto one of our courses today and start feeling confident about first aid – Book a course