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Health Update: Adrenaline antidote to allergy attacks

Annabel Ferriman
Monday 23 May 1994 23:02 BST
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PEOPLE who have suffered a severe allergic reaction to bee or wasp stings, or to certain foods, such as peanuts, sesame seeds, eggs or shellfish, often live in fear of repeating the life-threatening experience.

Family doctors can now prescribe an easy-to-use syringe, containing adrenaline, which negates the effects of such an attack. The EpiPen Auto-Injector is easier to use than a conventional syringe. Simply pressing its blunt tip against the skin triggers an injection. Doctors warn that patients need to be taught how to use it, however, because used incorrectly it can cause serious problems.

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