How to give an epinephrine shot to a child

Step 1

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First, be sure you know which end of the injector is the tip and which end is the top. Grasp the epinephrine shot injector in one fist with the tip pointing down. Do not touch the tip.

Step 2

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With the other hand, pull off the cap.

Step 3

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Hold your child's leg firmly with one hand, and hold the injector tip close to your child's thigh. Jab the tip firmly into your child's thigh. Jab through clothing if you must, but bare skin is best. The injector tip should go straight into the skin, at a 90-degree angle to the thigh. Keep the injector tip in your child's thigh for 10 seconds. The injection is complete. It is normal for most of the liquid to be left in the injector. Do not try to inject the remaining fluid.

Remove the injector, and place your hand on the area where the medicine entered the skin. Rub the area for about 10 seconds.

Step 4

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Put the used injector, needle-end first, into the storage tube that comes with your injector. Do not bend the needle. Screw on the cap of the storage tube. Take your child to the emergency room, and bring the used injector with you.

Current as of: February 10, 2021

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine
Brian D. O'Brien MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Rohit K Katial MD - Allergy and Immunology
Lora J. Stewart MD - Allergy and Immunology