The problem with this statement is that most doctors will not prescribe an ampule of epinephrine, even to a parent who is a RN, period.

When you go into Anaphylactic Shock in layman's terms the blood flow is wide open. Epinephrine in it's basics restricts the blood flow and too much can result in cardiac problems - heart-attack or stroke. By giving an ampule of epinephrine to the layman there is too much of a risk of over dosing in the calculation of the correct dose in a crisis situation, compared to the controlled environment in the ER or doctor's office where there is a double-check by another RN or PH before the dose is given. Ampules are measured in kilograms, which then has to be converted to milligrams based on a person's weight, and then converted again to milliliters for the proper injection dose. As a parent facing a possible crisis situation the last thing I want to do is math to calculate conversion for the proper dose. At that time I don't care if there is an App for that. I don't have a cell-phone, and we we may be in an area without cell service.

Plus, most school policies require that you supply a set of EpiPens. I would not trust the school "nurse" to calculate the correct dose of Epinephrine from an ampule to give to my child. And the schools do not want that responsiblitity or liability. Most school "nurses" aren't even licensed or allowed to give out aspriprin, let alone calculate a and give a shot.

I blaze up another fat one while being reminded how much Obamacare and big pharm has done for my family.

cacman wrote:

epipens are .3 mg and the dose doesn't change. So there is no real calculation and you simply draw in to the syringe, no need to convert measurements back an forth. My allergy shot is .5ml. You simply draw to .5 ml on the syringe. I get mine at the employee health unit with nurses that make school nurses look like heart surgeons. The ampule could weigh 5 tons and it would be irrelevant.

The calculations and conversions are irrelevant. The convenience and difficulty effing it up is relevant. You can carry them everywhere with little danger of breaking them, poking someone else (they have a safety) or having difficulty pulling them out when panicked (they are huge). They also let you just plunge them in your leg in one action rather than having to insert needle then work plunger. And where I agree with my sickle cell averse friend in the dosing is the need to draw the .3 when self administering (not having someone else around let alone a nurse) while in shock. Draw, inject, plunge vs remove blue cap and stab.

They are definitely better than ampule/ syringe and a great invention.

I get my epi pens for free luckily.

teedubbya wrote:

Gene for awhile my mom needed an expensive IV antibiotic at home. It was $1000 a month as prescribed or $100ish a month in ampules where my dad needed to draw the dose and administer. He did just fine.

It can be done.

teedubbya wrote:

Yes it can. My often had a family member say something like, "Oh no way, I cannot do that!" until they found out the cost would not be covered.

Gene363 wrote:

I didn't say they are free. I get mine for free meaning I don't pay at the point of sale. You are right, someone pays.

It's sad really. Epi pen has a program that covers the copayment for those with insurance. Those that have get a break, those that don't don't.

teedubbya wrote:

epipens are .3 mg and the dose doesn't change. So there is no real calculation and you simply draw in to the syringe, no need to convert measurements back an forth. My allergy shot is .5ml. You simply draw to .5 ml on the syringe. I get mine at the employee health unit with nurses that make school nurses look like heart surgeons. The ampule could weigh 5 tons and it would be irrelevant.

The calculations and conversions are irrelevant. The convenience and difficulty effing it up is relevant. You can carry them everywhere with little danger of breaking them, poking someone else (they have a safety) or having difficulty pulling them out when panicked (they are huge). They also let you just plunge them in your leg in one action rather than having to insert needle then work plunger. And where I agree with my sickle cell averse friend in the dosing is the need to draw the .3 when self administering (not having someone else around let alone a nurse) while in shock. Draw, inject, plunge vs remove blue cap and stab.

They are definitely better than ampule/ syringe and a great invention.

I get my epi pens for free luckily.

teedubbya wrote:

Did you just say there's a need to make sure the dosage is correct?

I believe the communists want you to have cheap epipen knock offs which may or may not give you an accurate dose...

victor809 wrote:

This is not correct. If EpiPens are .3mg and the dose doesn't change, then why are you taking .5mg??? Are you telling me that my wife who is a nurse and has to give this medication daily to patients is wrong? Are you saying that a person's weight and age doesn't matter? Bullsh|t. My son is over 6ft and 200lbs. We've been told by countless doctors that one EpiPen dose probably won't be enough in a crisis. But 2 doses may be too much. Too much Epinephrine will slow and could potentially stop the heart. One .3mg dose is enough to stabilize the patient until a Doctor (not a nurse) can assess.

OK Doc Know-it-all. When are you taking appointments? Can you write me a script for 10mg valium for my vertigo?? I love me some valium!

cacman wrote:

. One .3mg dose is enough to stabilize the patient until a Doctor (not a nurse) can assess.

cacman wrote: