Giving yourself an epinephrine shot: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Emergency: Use your prescribed epinephrine and call emergency services immediately for suspected anaphylaxis.

   Also seek emergency help if symptoms worsen, return, or do not improve after the first injection.

   Routine follow-up: Contact your healthcare team after the emergency to replace used devices and review what happened.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Get urgent medical care after an accidental injection into a finger, hand, foot, or another unintended area.

   Seek help for severe chest pain, collapse, or a very abnormal heartbeat after the injection.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Arrange a routine appointment if your device is nearing expiration, its solution looks abnormal, you are unsure how to use it, or your allergy risks have changed.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Giving yourself an epinephrine shot. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.