So I have a question about my EpiPen...?

Question

I just got one today, and I was wondering two things.
1. does it hurt to use? Obviously I'm going to use it regardless of pain if I need it ^^;;;
But should I expect it to hurt?

and 
2. my mom said it would work through clothes, and the pharmasist(sp) said so too. 
But does it work through blue jeans?

Victoria · Accepted Answer

1. I haven't used one on myself, but my thought is it may hurt because it's a needle, or it may not because if you're going into anaphylaxis, you're not really thinking about or concerned about the fact that there's a needle going into your thigh. And the needle really is not that big.

2. It can go through blue jeans. In my experience using them, it's better if you try not to do it over clothing in the case that it does fail, but if you cannot get your jeans pulled up or something, don't worry about it.

And I'm sure you know that if you're using your EpiPen, you NEED to call for an ambulance. So even if it does fail to go through your jeans, the ambulance should already be on its way and they can give you epi IM or SC.

EDIT: Just because both of the other answers have said this so far, I want to clarify something. The EpiPen is ONLY supposed to be used on the outer thigh. I can assure you there are NO other injection sites for the EpiPen.
http://www.epipen.com/pdf/ord.fm.pdf
There is a link to the insert that comes with an EpiPen. It clearly states "EpiPen and EpiPen Jr should be injected only into the outer thigh."

Anonymous · Answer

An epipen isn't an effective FIRST AID Tx for a heart attack. Yes, adrenaline can be used to jump start a heart but only for certain reasons pertaining to why a myocardial infarction (hear attack) occurs or else it'll be harmful. For example, if a person took too high a dose of barbituates (eg: heroin), then adrenaline can be administered to the heart to start it up again. The dosage needed would be different than what's in the the epipen. In fact, a much higher dosage would be used. Plus epipens are only designed to slightly go under your skin. It wouldn't be able to penetrate your heart.

J B · Answer

It does but I would be sure to give it through the least amount of clothing you have on at the time so that the needle pierces your skin and actually gives you the medication.  It will go through jeans, depending on the thickness of the material. You might want to use one of the listed alternative sites when you have jeans on.

? · Answer

1. No it doesnt hurt. But it will hurt if the needle is dull. Injecting in your abdomen will hurt less than in your leg.

2. Yes it would work through clothes but It will hurt less to have no cloth between you and the needle since additional resistance will make the needle duller. Clothes or not, it doesnt really matter.

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So I have a question about my EpiPen...?

4 Answers