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When to use your EpiPen®

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency which must be treated quickly.

If someone has symptoms of anaphylaxis you should:

  • Use an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) if available, e.g. EpiPen.
  • Call 112 immediately
  • Remove the trigger or causative agent if possible
  • Make sure the person lies down or stays still
  • If your symptoms have not improved or have deteriorated within 5-15 minutes after the first injection, either you or the person with you should give a second EpiPen injection. For this reason, you should carry more than one EpiPen with you at all times.

Recognise the symptoms

Symptoms of an allergic reaction usually develop within a few minutes of being exposed to the allergen. Symptoms will vary from person to person so it is important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor and be clear on what to look out for. Anaphylaxis usually develops suddenly and gets worse very quickly.

Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) symptoms include:

  • Breathing difficulties, such as fast, shallow and noisy breathing
  • Swelling in tongue
  • Swelling/tightness in throat
  • Swelling of face/lips/eyelids
  • Difficulty in talking and/or hoarse voice
  • Wheeze or persisting cough
  • Loss of consciousness and/or collapse
  • Pale and floppy (young children)
  • Feeling lightheaded or faint
  • Clammy skin
  • Confusion and anxiety

Mild to moderate allergic reaction symptoms include:

  • Red, raised, itchy rash
  • Abdominal pain, nausea and/or vomiting
  • Itchy, red, watering eyes
  • Tingling mouth

Product subject to medical prescription. Please read carefully the instructions on the patient information leaflet.

Information placed on this digital platform is not intended as a substitute for consultation with your healthcare professional.

This site is intended only for patients, parents or carers of those prescribed an EpiPen®.

For further information please consult:

Epipen®(adrenaline) Patient Information Leaflet

EpiPen®Junior(adrenaline) Patient Information Leaflet

@2023 Viatris. All rights reserved.

This website is owned and managed by Viatris.

Viatris, Newenham Court, Northern Cross, Malahide Road, Dublin 17, Ireland.


Job Code: EPI-2023-0507
Date of Preparation: December 2023

Reporting of Side Effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. Please report side effects with any medicine or vaccine directly via the national reporting system HPRA Pharmacovigilance, Website: www.hpra.ie


By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. You should also report any side effects to Viatris Pharmacovigilance on 0044 (0) 800 1218267 or
email pv.ireland@viatris.com.