The first rule of anaphylaxis is "Expect the unexpected." Anaphylaxis may occur anywhere and anytime. School nurses, daycare employees, and babysitters should be given clear instructions on how to use your child's Twinject® correctly in an emergency.
The Twinject® Emergency Action Plan can help ensure that your child receives the appropriate treatment with his or her Twinject® in the event of an anaphylactic reaction.
Complete the Emergency Action Plan and give a copy to each of your child's caregivers. You may want to keep a copy of this form with your child's Twinject® auto-injector as well. If you have any questions, be sure to discuss the Emergency Action Plan with your doctor.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT TWINJECT: Twinject® is indicated in the emergency treatment of severe allergic reaction (type I) including anaphylaxis to stinging and biting insects, allergen immunotherapy, foods, drugs, diagnostic testing substances, and other allergens, as well as anaphylaxis to unknown substance or exercise-induced anaphylaxis.
Since the dose of epinephrine delivered from Twinject® is fixed, the physician should consider other forms of injectable epinephrine if other doses are felt to be necessary (eg, patients who weigh less than 15 kilograms [approximately 33 pounds]).
Twinject® should only be injected into the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. Accidental injection into the hands or feet may result in loss of blood flow to the affected area and should be avoided. DO NOT INJECT INTO BUTTOCK. DO NOT INJECT INTRAVENOUSLY.
Epinephrine should be administered with caution to patients with cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery or organic heart disease, or hypertension. In patients with coronary insufficiency or ischemic heart disease, epinephrine may precipitate or aggravate angina pectoris as well as produce ventricular arrhythmias. It should be recognized that the presence of these conditions is not a contraindication to epinephrine administration in an acute Life-threatening situation. Adverse reactions to epinephrine include transient, moderate anxiety; apprehensiveness; restlessness; tremor; weakness; dizziness; sweating; palpitations; pallor; nausea and vomiting; headache; and/or respiratory difficulties.
Twinject® is designed as an emergency supportive therapy only and is not a replacement or substitute for immediate medical care.
