How to Give Yourself an Epinephrine Shot

A severe allergic reaction can come on quickly and become life-threatening.

Giving yourself an epinephrine shot can slow down or even stop an allergic reaction.

That's why it's important to have an epinephrine shot with you all the time and know how to use it.

It could save your life someday.

First, be sure you know which end of the injector is the tip and which end is the top.

Grasp the injector in your fist with the tip pointing down, and don't touch the tip.

Then pull the cap off the top with your other hand.

Giving the injection into bare skin is best, but you can jab through clothing if you need to.

Next, hold the tip of the injector close to your outer thigh.

Then swing your arm away from your body and jab the tip firmly into your outer thigh.

It's important that the injector go straight into your skin at a 90-degree angle to your thigh.

Keep the injector in your thigh for 10 seconds and then the injection is complete.

Don't try to use the injector again.

Remove the injector and place your hand on the area where the medicine entered your skin.

Rub the area for about 10 seconds.

Finally, put the used injector, needle-end first, into its storage tube, and put the cap back on the tube.

Don't try to bend the needle.

Call 911, and keep your used injector with you.