Family reading a map together while camping

When to use your EpiPen®

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency which must be treated quickly.

The following steps should be taken if patients who have been prescribed EpiPen® experience symptoms of anaphylaxis:

  • Use EpiPen® (adrenaline) Auto-injector (AAI) as directed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
  • Call 112 immediately, ask for ambulance and state ‘anaphylaxis’, even if symptoms appear to be improving.
  • Remove the trigger or causative agent if possible
  • Lie down with your feet raised unless this makes you breathless in which case you should sit up. Ask someone to stay with you until the ambulance arrives in case you feel unwell again.
  • 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 injection. For this reason, you should carry two EpiPen®'s 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

Free expiry alert service

Illustration of mobile phone

Sign up for our expiry alert service and receive free reminders by text or email when your EpiPen® is about to expire.

SIGN UP HERE

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 300 micrograms solution for injection in pre-filled pen Patient Information Leaflet ​

EpiPen Junior 150 micrograms solution for injection in pre-filled pen Patient Information Leaflet ​

©2025 Viatris. All rights reserved.

This website is owned and managed by Viatris.

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


Job Code: OMM-IE-EPI-2025-00004
Date of preparation: October 2025

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.