Epinephrine Defined

Epinephrine is a medicine administered as an injection or in the form of a nasal spray that is used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions called anaphylaxis (an-a-fi-LAK-sis). These very serious reactions are most commonly caused by foods, drugs and stinging insects.

People with severe allergy or a history of anaphylaxis should carry an epinephrine autoinjector or, if appropriate, intranasal epinephrine with them at all times.

Epinephrine typically comes as a single-dose pre-filled automatic injection device to be injected into the thigh or a single-dose nasal spray.

After you use the epinephrine autoinjector, go the closest emergency room immediately. Later, check back with your allergist / immunologist.

Learn more about anaphylaxis symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and management.

1/10/2025