Member Area Resources - Allergy and Anaphylaxis
EpiPen Questions - Responded

Please find some EpiPen questions submitted by members and answered by Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia below. Have a question about Allergies & Anaphylaxis? Ask them here.

Q: In an emergency, what is the longest time past use by date that you can use an epipen? ie is 6 months the limit? I'm talking about as a last resort. 

A: In an emergency, an expired device can be used as long as there are no floaties (precipitant) or discolouration when looking through the viewing window on the device(When looking through the window, it should be clear). We should not put a limit on the expiration of the device but focus on discolouration/visible precipitant. A device that is 6 months out of date may be more effective than one 12months out of date but in an emergency, if there is not discolouration/precipitant, we should still use even if a couple of years out of date. It will be less effective but better than nothing.

Q: Also, a related question, can you use someone else's epipen if there are no other options? How does this fit with it being a prescription item specifically prescribed to an individual? 

A: The advice we give is to use someone else’s EpiPen in an emergency BUT 1) make sure the person that owns the EpiPen is not unwell/likely to have an anaphylaxis at the same time.  2) If food allergic, do not allow to eat until EpiPen replaced.(or allow say fruit which is low risk unless they are fruit allergic until EpiPen is replaced). If insect allergic, keep person indoors (close windows and doors) to reduce risk of insect sting/bite. 3) Replace the well person’s EpiPen as a matter of  urgent priority once person having anaphylaxis has been sent to hospital by ambulance. In some circumstances, sending the well person to hospital with the unwell patient may be an option as they then have adrenaline cover because ambulance has adrenaline on board and ‘hopefully’ they can get a replacement EpiPen from the hospital/pharmacy near the hospital.(this is not always possible though for several reasons including time of day/availability at hospital/availability at pharmacy etc).

Keep in mind that people prescribed EpiPen should/must bring 2 EpiPens on camp.