Emerade

Emerade

Emerade is an emergency medicine for anaphylaxis – a serious allergic reaction. It is injected intramuscularly into the outer thigh at the top of the leg.

The injector contains adrenaline (epinephrine) which counteract the symptoms of anaphylaxis. Adrenaline is the first line treatment for Anaphylaxis.

In an emergency scenario where a person’s life if in danger, adrenaline injections are the first line of treatment for anaphylaxis, due to the ability to be able to quickly and safely administer the required dose of adrenaline.

Emerade can be used through clothes.

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is an acute and life-threatening reaction to an antigen. Common anaphylactic triggers include seafood, nuts, sesame, dairy products, eggs, insect bites or stings, rubbers or plastics, penicillin and other medicines.

What are the symptoms of Anaphylaxis?

When someone who is sensitive to a particular trigger, they can experience symptoms such as:

• Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
• Change in heart rate
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fainting (unconsciousness)
• Flushing of the skin
• Raised, bumpy rash (hives) all over the body
• Sudden drop in blood pressure
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, face and throat

When someone experiences anaphylaxis, their blood vessels dilate, resulting in a dramatic drop in blood pressure. The heart rate becomes laboured and the soft muscles which surround the airways constrict, making it difficult to breathe.

Histamines, the chemicals which cells release in response to an allergic reaction, cause inflammation across the body.

How does Emerade work?

Emerade auto-injectors administer a dose of adrenaline to counteract the symptoms of anaphylaxis.

Adrenaline constricts blood vessels to increase blood pressure, while also increasing the heart rate to reverse the dramatic drop in blood pressure a person experiences during anaphylaxis.

It also prevents histamines from being released. These are produced by cells within the body to combat the allergen when present, however, they can also cause a host of other complications, such as inflammation.

This inflammation can cause the airways to become constricted, restricting the ability to breathe, or affect the skin, causing a rash. By blocking the release of histamines, the adrenaline can aid in breathing and prevent further reactions from occurring.

How do I use Emerade?

Emerade should only be used in a medical emergency.

Your Emerade adrenaline pen should be carried with you at all times. You should carry 2 Emerade pens in case of emergency.

Your doctor should have demonstrated how to use your auto-injector. If you forget, or someone else has to administer the dose of adrenaline in an emergency, the steps on how to use Emerade are printed on the side of the pen.

Family members and carers should also be instructed on how to correctly use Emerade if you are not able to.

To use Emerade:

1. Remove the needle shield
2. Press the injector against the outer thigh
3. Hold the pen for 5 seconds
4. Massage the injection site gently

If no response or improvement is seen from the initial dose of adrenaline, you can administer another dose between 5 and 15 minutes after the original dose.

Some liquid remains in the auto-injector, however, Emerade auto-injectors are not reusable.

Do not inject Emerade into the buttocks. This can increase the risk of accidentally injecting adrenaline into the veins.