Warning issued concerning removal of cap for EpiPen users
Posted December 24, 2011 12:57 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Taking the cap off an EpiPen improperly when treating a severe food allergy could cause the delivery of the drug to fail, according to the distributor of the pen.
Pfizer Canada, the distributor of the EpiPen, says its necessary that the blue safety cap on the device is removed by pulling the cap straight up while holding the orange tip downward.
“It has recently come to our attention that removal of the blue safety cap the wrong way by pulling it sideways or bending and twisting it off may prevent the device from working properly and potentially result in failure to deliver the drug,” the company said through a release.
Patients are advised to continue carrying their EpiPen or EpiPen Jr, and reminded the blue safety cap should only be removed when they need the medication.
Health Canada says patients should also review the safety information and check to make sure the device hasn’t been unintentionally activated.
It’s estimated about four per cent of Canadians have food allergies.
