Allergies: Giving yourself an epinephrine shot
Why do I need an epinephrine shot?
An epinephrine shot can slow down or stop your allergic reaction. Epinephrine prevents your body from releasing the chemicals that cause an allergic reaction. Epinephrine relieves wheezing, breathing difficulties, and itching from hives. It helps keep blood pressure within a normal range and also reduces swelling that can occur in your hands, feet, eyelids, tongue, and throat.
If you have had a serious allergic reaction in the past, your risk of having another is high. But people react differently when they are exposed to the allergen that causes their allergic reaction. It is important to get clear instructions from your doctor on when you should give yourself an epinephrine shot.
An epinephrine shot comes as an automatic injector that is prefilled with one shot of epinephrine. It is made to be quick and simple to use.
Take care of your epinephrine shot:
- To protect it from light, keep the epinephrine shot in the tube provided until you are ready to use it.
- Store epinephrine shot at room temperature—15°C (59°F) to 30°C (86°F). Do not refrigerate.
- Check the expiration dates of the medicines in the allergy kit, and replace them as needed.
- Check the medicine in the epinephrine shot. It should be clear. If the solution is pinkish brown or has solid particles in it, the epinephrine shot should be replaced.
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| Author: | Bets Davis, MFA | Last Updated: March 9, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition Harold S. Nelson, MD - Allergy and Immunology | |
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