How to Use an EpiPen in 3 Easy-to-Follow Steps

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can happen suddenly and be life-threatening. It’s caused by allergens, such as certain foods, insect stings, medications, and other triggers. If you or your child is at risk, a healthcare professional may prescribe an EpiPen (or EpiPen Jr).

An EpiPen delivers a lifesaving dose of epinephrine to reverse the symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as dangerously low blood pressure. Knowing how to use an EpiPen can help you act confidently during an emergency. Here’s how to use an EpiPen in three simple steps.

When should you use an EpiPen?

EpiPens work best when they’re used right away. You should use an EpiPen if you or someone else is showing symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as:

• Trouble breathing or wheezing

• Hives or severe itching

• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or tongue

• Fast heartbeat

• Weak pulse

• Anxiety

• Confusion

• Stomach pain

• Uncontrolled urination or bowel movements

• Diarrhea

• Dizziness or fainting

Promotion disclosure

Epinephrine (Epipen)

Avg retail price

$649.92(Save 88.13%)

GoodRx discount

$77.13

Compare all prices

When these symptoms appear, act quickly and inject the EpiPen immediately.

An EpiPen is an autoinjector that’s prefilled with epinephrine. According to the manufacturer, there are three steps to follow when using one: Prepare, administer, and get emergency medical help right away.

1. Prepare your EpiPen

Start by getting the EpiPen ready for use so you can act quickly.

• Remove the cap from the clear carrier tube. The cap will be yellow for EpiPen or green for EpiPen Jr.

• Slide the autoinjector out of the clear carrier tube. When handling the pen, avoid putting your fingers or hand over the orange tip (which contains the needle).

• Hold the EpiPen in your fist with the orange tip facing downward. The blue cap should be facing upward, and the orange tip should be facing downward. Remember: blue to the sky, orange to the thigh.

• Remove the blue safety release with your other hand. Pull the blue cap upward (don’t bend or twist it).

2. Administer the medication

Once the EpiPen is prepared, use it to inject the medication into the middle of the outer thigh.

• Place the orange tip against the middle of the outer thigh at a 90-degree angle. You can inject through clothing if necessary. Do not press down on the skin yet.

• Swing the pen away, and firmly push it into the thigh until you hear a click. This sound means the injection has begun. You don’t need to press a button. The force of the orange tip hitting the thigh is what activates the needle.

• Hold the EpiPen firmly in place. Count slowly to three (one, pause; two, pause; three, pause) to ensure the full dose is delivered.

• Remove the EpiPen from the thigh. The orange tip will extend to protect the needle after the injection is complete. But if you still see the needle, don’t reuse the EpiPen.

• Gently massage the injection area for 10 seconds.

The epinephrine inside the EpiPen should start working right away. But it can take up to 10 minutes to get its full effects. If your symptoms continue or come back, administer a second dose with a new EpiPen.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Onset of action: An EpiPen is a critical tool for managing a severe allergic reaction. Here’s how long an EpiPen takes to work, plus answers to other common questions.

• Have an expired EpiPen? Learn why using an expired EpiPen isn’t recommended.

• How to save: EpiPens can cost hundreds of dollars. Explore these essential tips for making your EpiPen prescription more affordable.

3. Get emergency medical help right away

It’s essential to get emergency medical care right after you administer an EpiPen. Call 911, or have someone take you to the ER, even if your symptoms improve. This is because anaphylaxis symptoms can return. It’s best to be monitored in a medical environment so you can receive care quickly if this happens.

How to use an EpiPen on a child

For children, the steps for using an EpiPen are the same: Prepare, administer, and get emergency medical help right away. But there are a few important considerations to keep in mind.

Depending on your child’s body weight, they may be prescribed an EpiPen Jr instead of an EpiPen. EpiPen Jr contains a smaller amount of epinephrine, which is appropriate for younger or smaller children. Be sure to hold your child’s leg firmly in place during the injection to prevent any movement. This ensures that the full dose is delivered effectively.

How to know if you’ve received the EpiPen dose

After you use the EpiPen, there are a few ways to ensure that the dose was administered correctly.

• Check the clear window on the autoinjector. Before the injection, you should see a clear solution in the window. Afterward, the window will be blocked. If not, the dose may not have been delivered.

• Check the orange tip. After you remove the EpiPen from the thigh, the orange tip should extend and lock in place to cover the needle. You will not be able to fit the used EpiPen back into the carrier tube. If you can see the needle, the injection may not have been completed.

In these cases, you shouldn’t reuse that EpiPen and may need to use a second EpiPen.

Avoid these common EpiPen mistakes

To ensure that your EpiPen works effectively in an emergency, be sure to avoid these common mistakes. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Injecting into the wrong area: Inject the EpiPen into the thigh only. Do not inject into the buttock or vein. This can prevent your anaphylaxis symptoms from being treated (buttock) or cause a sharp rise in blood pressure (vein).

• Accidentally injecting the hand: This can happen if you put your thumb, fingers, or hand over the orange tip, resulting in loss of blood flow to that area. Go to the ER immediately if this happens.

• Not using enough force: Swing the EpiPen, and press firmly into the thigh to activate the needle. You should hear a click once the injection has started.

• Forgetting to remove the blue cap. The injection won’t work without removing the blue safety cap, no matter how hard you press.

• Not holding the EpiPen in place long enough: To ensure the full dose is delivered, hold the EpiPen firmly against the thigh for at least 3 seconds after hearing the click.

• Using an expired or damaged EpiPen: Regularly check your EpiPen’s expiration date, and ensure the solution is clear (not pink or brown). Replace your EpiPen if it’s expired.

• Storing improperly: Keep your EpiPen at room temperature. Avoid exposing it to extreme heat or cold, such as in a car.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Gabrielle Colina, PharmD

Gabrielle has 14 years of experience in community pharmacy. During her senior year of high school, she worked as a pharmacy technician at a local retail pharmacy.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts