If someone is experiencing anaphylaxis, an adrenaline injector should be given.
If the prescribed dosage or brand of adrenaline injector is not available, any available adrenaline injector should still be given. This includes any brand (Anapen® or EpiPen®) using the following dosing guide.
| In children 7.5kg –20 kg (around 1–5 years of age) | An adrenaline injector containing 150 micrograms of adrenaline should be used (EpiPen® junior). However, if only a higher dose device is available (containing 300 micrograms) this should be used in preference to not using one at all. |
| If the child is 20 kg or under and the only device available is an Anapen® 500 | Contact emergency services on triple zero (000) and ask what to do. |
| In children over 20 kg (aged around 5 years or over) | A device containing 300 micrograms of adrenaline should be used. However, a 500 microgram device can be given if an injector containing 300 micrograms of adrenaline is not available. |
| In children and adults over 50 kg | A device containing either 300 micrograms ( EpiPen®) OR a device containing 500 micrograms (Anapen®) should be used. However, if only an EpiPen® Jnr is available, this should be used in preference to not using one at all. |
The ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis states that further adrenaline may be given if there has been no response after 5 minutes:
- If 300 micrograms of adrenaline has been given as a first dose and the child (over 20 kg) or adult requires a second dose of adrenaline, the adrenaline device that is available should be given.
- If 150 micrograms of adrenaline has been given as a first dose and the child (under 20 kg) requires a second dose of adrenaline (if symptoms of anaphylaxis persist or recur), a 300 microgram dose of adrenaline may be given if a 150 microgram adrenaline injector is not available.
The information above is from ASCIA’s Frequently Asked Questions on Adrenaline Injectors