Change to instructions on Anapen® administration
Anapen® has received approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to change the administration advice to hold the Anapen in place on the thigh for 3 seconds NOT 10 seconds.
Research has shown that 3 seconds is long enough for the adrenaline to get into the leg.
The devices will not change, just the instructions on the label.
Anapen devices with the 3 second label should start to be in pharmacies in Australia from January 2023 onwards.
Anapen devices with a 10 second label can continue to be used and injected for 3 seconds.
If the Anapen is held in place for 10 seconds, it will not affect the way that the adrenaline works.
How to administer the Anapen:
White end on leg; press thumb on red.
-
Pull off black needle shield (a grey needle cap will also come off with the black needle shield)
-
Pull off grey safety cap from red button
-
Place needle end firmly against outer mid-thigh at 90° angle
-
Press red button so it clicks. Hold for 3 seconds. Remove the Anapen.
ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis have been updated to reflect the above changes as have other ASCIA resources at www.allergy.org.au/anaphylaxis
A&AA will be updating our animation of the our administration of Anapen® and the new film will be added here (as well as elsewhere in our website) when available.
Content created September 2022
