Properly dispose all used, unwanted or expired epinephrine injection, USP auto-injectors.
See FDA-Approved Patient Labeling ( Patient Information and Instructions for Use).
A healthcare provider should review the patient instructions and operation of epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector in detail, with the patient or caregiver.
Epinephrine is essential for the treatment of anaphylaxis. Patients who are at risk of or with a history of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to insect stings or bites, foods, drugs, and other allergens, as well as idiopathic and exercise-induced anaphylaxis, should be carefully instructed about the circumstances under which epinephrine should be used.
Administration
Instruct patients and/or caregivers in the appropriate use of epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector. Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector should be injected into the middle of the outer thigh (through clothing, if necessary). Each device is a single-use injection. Advise patients to seek immediate medical care in conjunction with administration of epinephrine injection, USP auto-injectors.
Instruct caregivers to hold the leg of young children firmly in place and limit movement prior to and during injection. Lacerations, bent needles, and embedded needles have been reported when epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector has been injected into the thigh of young children who are uncooperative and kick or move during an injection [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Instruct patients and/or caregivers to throw away the blue safety release immediately after using epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector. This small part may pose a choking hazard for children.
Complete patient information, including dosage, directions for proper administration and precautions can be found inside each epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector carton. A printed label on the surface of epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector shows instructions for use and a diagram depicting the injection process.
Training
Instruct patients and/or caregivers to use and practice with the Trainer to familiarize themselves with the use of epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector in an allergic emergency. The Trainer may be used multiple times. A Trainer device is provided in epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector cartons.
Instruct patients and/or caregivers to immediately place the blue safety release back on the Trainer and reset it after practicing. This small part may pose a choking hazard for children.
Adverse Reactions
Epinephrine may produce symptoms and signs that include an increase in heart rate, the sensation of a more forceful heartbeat, palpitations, sweating, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, pallor, dizziness, weakness or shakiness, headache, apprehension, nervousness, or anxiety. These signs and symptoms usually subside rapidly, especially with rest, quiet and recumbency. Patients with hypertension or hyperthyroidism may develop more severe or persistent effects, and patients with coronary artery disease could experience angina. Patients with diabetes may develop increased blood glucose levels following epinephrine administration. Patients with Parkinson's disease may notice a temporary worsening of symptoms [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] .
Accidental Injection
Advise patients to seek immediate medical care in the case of accidental injection. Since epinephrine is a strong vasoconstrictor when injected into the digits, hands, or feet, treatment should be directed at vasodilatation if there is such an accidental injection to these areas [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Serious Infections at the Injection Site
Rare cases of serious skin and soft tissue infections, including necrotizing fasciitis and myonecrosis caused by Clostridia (gas gangrene), have been reported at the injection site following epinephrine injection for anaphylaxis. Advise patients to seek medical care if they develop signs or symptoms of infection, such as persistent redness, warmth, swelling, or tenderness, at the epinephrine injection site [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Storage and Handling
Instruct patients to inspect the epinephrine solution visually through the clear window of the auto-injector periodically. Replace epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector if the epinephrine solution appears discolored (pinkish or brown color), cloudy, or contains particles. Epinephrine is light sensitive and should be stored in the carrier tube provided to protect it from light. The carrier tube is not waterproof. Instruct patients that epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector must be used or properly disposed once the blue safety release is removed or after use [ see Storage and Handling (16)].
Advise patients and caregivers to give used epinephrine injection, USP auto-injectors to their healthcare provider for inspection and proper disposal.
Advise patients and caregivers to promptly dispose of medicines that are no longer needed. Dispose of expired, unwanted, or unused epinephrine injection, USP auto-injectors in an FDA-cleared sharps container. Instruct patients not to dispose epinephrine injection, USP auto-injectors in their household trash. Instruct patients that if they do not have a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, they may use a household container that is made of a heavy-duty plastic, can be closed with a tight-fitting and puncture-resistant lid without sharps being able to come out, upright and stable during use, leak-resistant, and properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container. Inform patients that they can visit the FDA website for additional information on disposal of unused medicines.
Complete patient information, including dosage, directions for proper administration and precautions can be found inside each epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector carton.
Manufactured for Mylan Specialty L.P., Morgantown, WV 26505, U.S.A. by Meridian Medical Technologies, LLC, St. Louis, MO 63146, U.S.A.
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