What Is an EpiPen and What Is It Used For?
EpiPen is the brand name of an auto-injectable device that delivers the drug epinephrine. It is a life-saving medication used when someone is experiencing a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis.
EpiPen is just one of the brand names of devices known generically as Epinephrine Auto-Injectors. This medication acts on the whole body to block the progression of the allergic response. It constricts the blood vessels, leading to increased blood pressure, and decreased swelling. This allows the muscles around the airways to relax, causing the lungs to open. Epinephrine also prevents the release of more allergic chemicals, which stops the progression of the allergic response.
Epinephrine is the only medication that works on the entire body, multi-system, multi-organ, for anaphylaxis, which is why it is the only drug recommended.
How Do You Know If You Need Injectable Epinephrine?
First and foremost, if you suspect you have had an allergic reaction to a food or insect sting, you should see a board-certified allergist to evaluate your reaction/symptoms. The allergist will obtain pertinent medical history, perform a physical exam, and recommend diagnostic testing if indicated.
If you already have a diagnosis of food allergy, it is important to see your allergist regularly for possible re-testing and an oral food challenge to determine if you have outgrown some of your allergic triggers. Epinephrine auto-injectors are indicated for patients at risk for anaphylaxis, so in some cases, a prescription may no longer be medically necessary.
Can You Give Us Some Examples of When Injectable Epinephrine Is Not Needed?
A true allergy to insect venom is diagnosed with a consultation and appropriate testing by an allergist. The good news for those with this diagnosis is that there are excellent treatment options that can desensitize the patient and protect them from serious reactions in the future. Find more information on insect sting allergy.
Also, a child who is diagnosed with an allergy to egg or milk should have regular evaluations by an allergist. Most children will outgrow these allergies. Your allergist will determine the need for re-testing and recommend a skin test, blood test, and/or oral food challenge. An oral challenge is always done in a medical office where trained personnel are present to deal with any reactions.
Throughout our practice, every week we have children that can add egg, milk, and other foods back into their diet. If you are being properly managed by an allergy expert, you should not be filling prescriptions that are no longer medically indicated.
