Consider Body Weight When Using an Epinephrine Injector

EpiPen Injector

When a person experiences anaphylaxis, a life threatening reaction to foods, bees, latex or other causes, the best course of action is to administer epinephrine quickly and effectively. Typically, this means using an epinephrine auto-injector (like an EpiPen or Auvi-Q) and injecting into the side of the upper leg.

A recent study conducted in the U.K. found that the injection site may vary depending upon body weight. Using ultrasound to take skin surface to muscle depth measurements, researchers found that higher weight and waist circumference were linked to a skin surface to muscle depth measurement greater than the length of the auto-injector needle. This means the epinephrine was not getting into the muscle where it would be more rapidly absorbed.

The study concluded that it may be beneficial to inject further down the leg where skin surface to muscle depth surpassed the length of the auto-injector needle for a majority of kids. 

Auvi-Q Auto Injector

Talk to your doctor (and share the press release, Injecting Epinephrine into the Lower Rather Than Upper Thigh May Be More Effective in Overweight Children) if you have concerns about weight and the effectiveness of an epinephrine injector. Make sure that the prescribed auto-injector user and all caregivers are aware of the best place to administer the injection to maximize the benefits of the medication.

Epinephrine Use to Treat Food Allergy or Insect Sting Reactions

State laws vary in regards to whether non-medical personnel may administer epinephrine to a person experiencing anaphylaxis due to an allergic reaction. Recently, the WMS (Wilderness Medical Society) addressed this issue. The organization has taken the position that:

• outdoor instructors authorized to treat anaphylaxis should be trained to administer epinephrine
•  legislative change on the federal level should establish uniform protection in all 50 states

So, see that second bullet point? That means families need to know what the law in their state says about non-medical personnel administering epinephrine. In New York, for example, teachers and camp counselors are permitted to administer epinephrine after proper training. Other states strictly prohibit this. Good Samaritan Laws may cover people in some areas.

Ideally, a person with a known allergy that may lead to an anaphylactic reaction carries their own medication and self administers if necessary. That is not always possible though, especially for children experiencing a reaction. The laws need to protect helpers who may need to assist someone in a life-threatening situation.

Read the full WMS position and know the laws in your state.

New Epi Injector?

Have you heard that there's talk of a new method of injecting epinephrine to combat an allergic reaction? The long tubular injectors may be replaced with a device that resembles more of a card.

While I'd personally like to see no need for any type of epinephrine injector, a smaller unit that is easy to conceal would be better- especially for tweens and teens who need to carry their medication.

Stay tuned for more information.