Key takeaways:
EpiPen Jr is an auto-injector containing 0.15 mg of epinephrine. It’s FDA-approved to manage life-threatening symptoms of severe allergic reactions. Epipen Jr dosages are based on body weight.
You can use EpiPen Jr for people who weigh 33 lbs to 66 lbs (15 kg to 30 kg). The typical EpiPen Jr dosage is 0.15 mg injected into the outer thigh at the first sign of a serious allergic reaction. You can inject through clothing if needed. Call 911 after using EpiPen Jr.
If symptoms worsen or return, inject a second dose of EpiPen Jr. Wait 5 to 15 minutes after the first dose to give a second one. Don’t use more than 2 doses of EpiPen Jr without a healthcare professional’s OK.
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Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can happen quickly and unexpectedly. If left untreated, it can be life-threatening. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, and swelling of the throat. If your child is at risk for anaphylaxis, their healthcare professional likely prescribed them EpiPen Jr.
EpiPen Jr contains a single dose of epinephrine. It can help stop or slow anaphylaxis symptoms until you can get emergency medical help. Using the right dose and knowing how to inject EpiPen Jr are key to managing anaphylaxis. So what’s the recommended EpiPen Jr dosage?
Good to know: This article discusses dosage information for the lower-dose (0.15 mg) EpiPen Jr. This device is meant for people who weigh 33 lbs to 66 lbs (15 kg to 30 kg). People who weigh more than 66 lbs should use the higher-dose (0.3 mg) EpiPen. The directions for using EpiPen and EpiPen Jr are the same.
What’s the typical EpiPen Jr dosage for children?
The typical EpiPen Jr dosage for kids weighing 33 lbs to 66 lbs is 0.15 mg injected into the outer thigh at the first sign of a severe allergic reaction. If needed, you can inject through clothing. Call 911 or get emergency medical help after using EpiPen Jr.
If your child weighs less than 33 lbs, they shouldn’t use EpiPen Jr. Discuss alternatives with your child’s prescriber. There are other epinephrine devices that can deliver appropriate doses for children with smaller body sizes. For example, Auvi-Q is an epinephrine auto-injector that has doses available for children weighing 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) or more.
EpiPen Jr comes as a prefilled auto-injector. Each device contains a single dose of epinephrine (0.15 mg). EpiPen Jr packages come with 2 auto-injectors in case you need to inject a second dose (more on this later).
Each EpiPen Jr package also comes with a trainer (demonstration) pen. This device doesn’t contain any needles or medication. It’s meant to help you or others prepare to use EpiPen Jr ahead of time. Consider storing the trainer pen separately from the auto-injectors. This can help prevent you from accidentally trying to use the trainer pen if you need to inject a dose.
Can adults use EpiPen Jr?
In most cases, an adult would not use an EpiPen Jr. They would likely use an EpiPen, which contains a higher dose of epinephrine (0.3 mg).
EpiPen and EpiPen Jr dosages are based on body weight. And most adults weigh more than 66 lbs. But if you do weigh between 33 lbs and 66 lbs, then yes, you should use an EpiPen Jr instead of an EpiPen.
How to use an EpiPen Jr
EpiPen Jr is designed to make it easy to inject a dose. Follow these three steps:
Prepare the auto-injector. Remove EpiPen Jr from its carrying tube. Hold the pen in your hand with the orange tip pointing down. Remove the blue safety cover with your other hand. The phrase “blue to the sky, orange to the thigh” can help you remember the right way to hold EpiPen Jr.
Inject the dose. Swing EpiPen Jr away and then firmly push the auto-injector into the middle of the child’s outer thigh. You should hear a “click.” Hold the EpiPen Jr in place, and slowly count to 3. Then remove the device from the child’s thigh. Rub the injection site for 10 seconds.
Get emergency medical help. Call 911 or take the child to the nearest ER. Your child may need further care to fully manage their allergic reactions.
Injections can be scary for children. Be sure to hold them tightly while injecting EpiPen Jr so they don’t wiggle around. Moving during injection could cause injury or prevent them from getting the full dose. If another adult is available, consider having them hold the child still while you administer the dose.
Since EpiPen Jr contains a needle, it needs to be disposed of properly. Throw it in an FDA-cleared sharps container if you have one. You can also give the auto-injector to emergency medical personnel that respond to your 911 call. They may have a needle disposal container on hand.
Can you give a second EpiPen Jr dose?
Sometimes, one EpiPen Jr dose isn’t enough to manage symptoms until medical help arrives. It’s a good idea to carry 2 EpiPen Jr pens with you at all times if your child is at risk of anaphylaxis. If 5 to 15 minutes have passed and your child’s symptoms come back, don’t improve, or worsen, give them a second EpiPen Jr dose.
Administration tips: Pharmacists provide essential instructions on how to use your EpiPen Jr (epinephrine) with confidence.
Have an expired EpiPen Jr? Learn why using an expired EpiPen Jr isn’t recommended.
How to save: EpiPen Jr can cost hundreds of dollars. Explore these essential tips for making your EpiPen Jr prescription more affordable.
Don’t give them more than 2 EpiPen Jr. injections without a healthcare professional or 911 dispatcher telling you to do so. Too much epinephrine can cause serious side effects, such as dangerously high blood pressure.
How to save on EpiPen Jr
There are many ways to save on EpiPen Jr, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.
If you have commercial insurance, one way to save is with a copay savings card. You may be eligible to save up to $300 per brand-name EpiPen Jr prescription and up to $25 off the generic version using a savings card from the manufacturer.
If you don’t have insurance or are underinsured, you may be able to save with a patient assistance program. One such patient assistance program fully covers the cost of generic EpiPens for eligible consumers.
Saving with GoodRx is another option. Using a free GoodRx coupon, you may be able to find your epinephrine product for as little as:
EpiPen Jr: $590.63 for 1 pack of 2 auto-injectors
EpiPen: $361.95 for 1 pack of 2 auto-injectors
Generic EpiPen Jr: $273.41 for 1 pack of 2 auto-injectors
Generic EpiPen: $176.37 for 1 pack of 2 auto-injectors
The bottom line
EpiPen Jr (epinephrine) is FDA-approved to manage symptoms of severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis. It’s meant to be administered to people who weigh 33 lbs to 66 lbs (15 kg to 30 kg). The typical EpiPen Jr dosage is 0.15 mg (the contents of 1 auto-injector) injected into the outer thigh at the first sign of a reaction. If needed, you can inject through clothing. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER after using EpiPen Jr.
Sometimes, you may need to give a second dose of EpiPen Jr. Be sure to wait 5 to 15 minutes between doses. Don’t inject more than 2 doses of EpiPen Jr without a healthcare professional’s OK. Injecting too much can cause potentially dangerous side effects, such as severely high blood pressure.
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References
Allergy & Asthma Network. (n.d.). What is epinephrine?
Kaleo. (2025). Auvi-Q- epinephrine injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Mylan. (n.d.). How to use an EpiPen (epinephrine injection, USP) auto-injector.
Viatris. (n.d.). Viatris Patient Assistance Program (U.S.).
Viatris Specialty. (2023). EpiPen- epinephrine injection, EpiPen Jr- epinephrine injection [package insert].
