All you need to know about an Epinephrine Shot

good post, thanks.

G3

Thanks BW. I helped a friend with his hives one day. He warned me about the epipen. I wouldn't have had any idea of how to administer it. Now I do.

I find some information on Wiki very questionable at best. I read one study due to ever evolving input and information from anyone who wants to add-on, that up to 20% information is either inaccurate or not fully complete.

I'll stick with the instructions that came with the epi-pen.

I read the article and did not know one person who contributed to the information. Although I did not word for word scrutinize the instructions, and it even may be correct, I will rely on a little more than some unknown contributor to medical advice and my health.

How to bake bread, I'll go an on-line source sometimes. How to administer drugs and save my or someone else's life in an emergency.....I'll stick with the information on the packet.

As a comedian said years ago...."What a country!".

Although I agree with Bjorn, after reading the article in detail, it seems to mirror the instructions on my epi-pen and with the instructions I received from the doctor when I got the prescription. It looks to be quite accurate, looking at it from the position of a non-medical person like myself.

And if it was not for that instruction sheet and the doctor....you would have no clue if the information on Wiki was correct or not. Wiki has been shown to be very questionable at times. That is my point.

I agree with iddee. It does sound correct, only because I have the instructions in my hands.

DANG, only me and Bjorn can still argue when in complete agreement. Now that's an accomplishment!

:lol: :lol:

That's funny Iddee, I was thinking the same thing as I read it

There's alot more info about the Epinephrine here:

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/epinephrine-injection.html

That was an argument???..... :lol:

snookie said:

epi pens are also part of the GI's basic field gear, and has been for many years. I think it's used for nerve gas antidote. Can't remember for sure. It's been 40 years.

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Interesting, hadn't heard that before...

If one needs a prescription, how do you convince a doctor to give one to you? We have some neighbors that told us they were allergic to bee stings (we were trying to convince them to let us keep our hives) and we told them we would get one of these epi-pens. So can anyone tell me how they got one?

Most doctors will issue a prescription for one to anyone that keeps bees. They realize a beekeeper's family is the most apt to suddenly develop an acute allergic reaction. Just tell your doctor you want to keep one on hand as a precaution.

This one is a 2 shot pen. Their site has a lot of good info on it.
http://www.twinject.com/

Thanks for the info, Stan.
Do you know about how much one of these pens cost? I couldn't find a price.

Best,
Mil

I called my doc, told the nurse I was a beekeeper and wanted to keep one on hand. She issued scrip - no questions asked. I have a co-pay - think that one was $30 for the pair. Seems like I saw the original cost was over a hundred, maybe even more. I remember thinking "Wow!"

We are issued three epinephrine auto-injectors in a combat environment. I know in the military we are taught how to use them and when while in boot camp, not sure about the Chair Force. Combat lifesavers and medics have several more.
Florida Master Beekeeper Program highly encourages ep-administration licensing. I am licensed. I think it is the safety issue the state is supporting. You never know what will happen with a hundred people looking over hives that may have never been stung. There are several firemen/paramedics and occasionally doctors present at my workshops also.

One difference from the instructions and Florida procedure is 911 should always be activated as quickly as possible. If there are two people not experiencing anaphylaxis one should be contacting 911. It is never a last option of the patient or anyone responsible whether or when medical attention begins. Epi is only good for 15 minutes so unless you have the three military pens or you have an ambulance/rescue unit on the way you only created time to say goodbye one last time.
Second warning - epinephrine is light and heat sensitive. You will probably not "find it in a well equipped first aid kit" and if it is it is probably unusable unless stored at 77 degrees or between 59 and 86 F with a reduced lifespan.

To add to what Gary said, the liquid should be clear. If it is cloudy or opaque, it is no longer good.

snookie said:

epi pens are also part of the GI's basic field gear, and has been for many years. I think it's used for nerve gas antidote. Can't remember for sure. It's been 40 years.

Click to expand...

Actually, what I was issued in the army was atropine injection for nerve gas expossure. Here's a little page I found on the web about it.

My doctor wouldn't give me a prescription for one! He said if I had a reaction I'd be better off calling 911, and if i used a pen on someone else i could get sued if something went wrong, whereas I couldn't get sued for calling 911. Go figure, we're in NY where everyone sues everyone. lol!

In my opinion, you need a new doctor.

Does NY not have the good Samaritan law?