“Do I need to go to the hospital after using an EpiPen?”
I just got an EpiPen after learning I have a serious allergy to nuts, but I'm still learning how to use it. Luckily, I never had to use it yet--but if I do, would I need to go to the hospital after using it, or would I be okay?
2 Answers
Yes. It is more for rechecking your vitals and making sure you are getting better. The Epi pen effects wear off and you could have another attack. The Epi pen will buy you time to get medical attention
It would depend on how severe your allergic reaction had progressed, how much symptom relief you got, and, in general, how you are feeling. If your reaction was severe, and for example, you still had a rash - hives - then I would recommend you take two Claritin 10mg by mouth, take 50mg of Benadryl, then, yes - go to the hospital or a freestanding ER. The effects of the epipen will wear off, but the antigen, which in your case is the peanut, would still be lingering in your body. So, when the medication in the epipen wears off, your symptoms may very well return. So, it is a good idea to be in a place where medical professionals can observe you for a period of time, and be able to treat you if the returning symptoms are severe. The short answer is, yes. I recommend you read the instructions that came with it, and also maybe Google "epipen." This will give you a good idea of what is recommended.
