Injection pens based on epinephrine (adrenaline) are often viewed as the last resort used in emergency situations to prevent anaphylaxis that can accompany the most severe allergic reactions. Medicines such as EpiPen, Emerade or Jext are among the most popular brands. Their ease of use and high efficiency make them especially suitable for kids who might experience an unexpected severe allergic reaction at school or in some other situation away from home.
What’s on this page?
Change of legal status of injection pens in schools
In October 2017, it became possible for state schools in the UK to purchase and keep a number of spare adrenaline pens to be used in cases of anaphylactic shock when emergency administration might be required. Since the mentioned date, schools purchasing adrenaline pens such as Emerade, Jext and EpiPen can do so without a prescription.1
Starting from 2017, schools can now legally obtain emergency allergy treatments as long as they name the employee responsible for administering it and they get the proper treatment. Recently, the Anaphylaxis Campaign2 started the AllergyWise for Schools Initiative3 which provides the needed training and resources.
At the same time, according to the instructions and notes on the legislative changes provided by the Department of Health, the school staff members shouldn’t be required to assume the responsibility of administering emergency adrenaline treatment, but it is still important that they receive the proper training so that treatment can be administered without delay in cases of anaphylaxis, so it is recommended for schools to ensure as many staff members get the training as they can.
What are the usual AAI doses?
Most commonly, AAI medicines come in two doses:
- 150mcg (0.15mg) – Used for children weighing less than 30Kg
- 300mcg (0.3mg) – Used for children weighing more than 30Kg and adults
How can my child’s school obtain emergency adrenaline treatment?
If your child’s school wishes to take part in the campaign and obtain their emergency adrenaline treatment and make an order, there are several steps they should take. The order should be made via a letter signed by the head-teacher or a school principal and it must:
- Be printed on school letter-headed paper
- Contain a clear request from the head-teacher, principal or equivalent for the delivery of the adrenaline pens
- Contain a clearly specified purpose of the pens
- Contain a specification regarding the brand of the pens required (Emerade, EpiPen or Jext) and dose (150mcg or 300mcg) as well as quantity
- Be signed and dated by the principal or head-teacher
A sample letter you can use as a template can be found on 26th page of the Department of Health guide for the use of adrenaline pens in schools.4
How is emergency adrenaline treatment used?
You can find detailed information on how adrenaline pens are used on the pages detailing the specific products, namely EpiPen, Emerade and Jext adrenaline pens. However, it is important to keep in mind that our descriptions of administration techniques are not intended to be used as guidelines, but are there just so you can get the general idea of how using the said medicines looks like. Written guides can never be substitute for proper training.
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