SOS Allergo · I understand & manage
ADRENALINE AUTO-INJECTOR
Recognise anaphylaxis, inject without delay and stay prepared
Your personalised emergency plan takes priority
This sheet reviews general principles. It does not replace your doctor’s instructions, your prescription or the instructions specific to your auto-injector.
In this sheet
Emergency
Essentials in an emergency
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening emergency
Do not wait for every symptom to appear. Use adrenaline as soon as a severe sign listed in your emergency plan occurs.
Inject adrenaline immediately - Use your auto-injector in the outer thigh, following the instructions for your device.
Call 15 or 112 in France - Or have someone call emergency services while you inject. Say: ‘Anaphylaxis. Adrenaline injected at [time].’
Do not stand or walk - Without delaying the injection, adopt the appropriate position described below.
Monitor the situation - Stay with someone. Note the injection time if this does not delay care.
Prepare the second auto-injector - If there is no improvement or the condition worsens within 5 to 15 minutes, use it according to the emergency plan and device instructions.
The correct position, without delaying the injection
- Faintness, marked weakness or circulatory signs: lie the person flat, possibly with their legs slightly raised.
- Predominant breathing difficulty: allow a semi-seated position with legs extended; do not sit the person upright on a chair.
- Pregnancy: place the person on their left side.
- Unconscious but breathing normally: place them in the recovery position and monitor breathing.
- Abnormal breathing: immediately follow emergency-service instructions to start resuscitation.
Recognising severe signs
Use the auto-injector immediately if a severe sign listed in your emergency plan occurs, including:
- sudden breathing difficulty, noisy breathing, wheezing or persistent cough;
- swelling of the tongue;
- a tight throat or swelling of the throat;
- a hoarse voice or difficulty speaking;
- severe faintness, persistent dizziness, sudden weakness or loss of consciousness;
- in a young child: unusual pallor, marked floppiness or collapse;
- another combination of symptoms identified as anaphylaxis in your personalised plan.
Using my auto-injector
Auto-injectors do not all work in the same way. Follow the demonstration you received, your device leaflet and your emergency plan.
- Check the name and dose of your device.
- Remove only the safety caps specified for your model.
- Hold the device the right way round without placing fingers over the needle end.
- Inject into the outer thigh.
- Follow the activation method and holding time for your model.
- Check indicators confirming delivery when present.
Calling emergency services
- Call 15 or 112 immediately after the injection, even if the condition begins to improve.
- State clearly that it is anaphylaxis and give the injection time.
- Do not hang up until emergency services tell you to.
- Stay with the person and follow the instructions provided.
When should the second auto-injector be used?
If symptoms do not improve or worsen within 5 to 15 minutes after the first injection, a second injection with a new auto-injector may be needed.
- Follow first the interval written in your personalised emergency plan and the device instructions.
- Use a new auto-injector: a device that has already been activated cannot be reused.
- Never wait for the second injection before calling emergency services.
- Keep the person in the appropriate position and continue monitoring breathing and consciousness.
What must not delay adrenaline
Intramuscular adrenaline is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.
- An antihistamine does not treat severe respiratory or circulatory involvement.
- In a person with asthma, the prescribed bronchodilator may be used in addition, but it does not replace adrenaline when anaphylaxis is suspected.
- Other medicines listed on the prescription or emergency plan are used according to medical instructions without delaying adrenaline.
After every injection
- I stay with someone until emergency services arrive.
- If possible, I record when symptoms started and the time of each injection.
- I state the suspected allergen or situation.
- I give used devices to the professionals caring for me.
- I promptly replace every used auto-injector.
Being prepared before an emergency
Always keep my devices accessible
- I carry the prescribed number of auto-injectors, usually two.
- I keep them somewhere immediately accessible and known to people close to me.
- I do not lock them somewhere inaccessible to a person who might help me.
- For a child, I arrange access at school, in group settings and during activities.
Check them regularly
- the expiry date;
- the condition of the device and packaging;
- the appearance of the solution if the model has an inspection window;
- the storage conditions stated in the leaflet.
Replace it
Replace a device if it has been used or damaged, if the solution looks abnormal or if the expiry date is approaching.
Practise and prepare people around me
- I learn the technique with a healthcare professional.
- I practise only with a trainer device and store it separately from real auto-injectors.
- I repeat training regularly with relatives or caregivers.
- I ask a professional to check my technique periodically.
- I train again if my model or dose changes.
- People who may help know where the devices are and how to call emergency services.
Ma liste de vérification
This list stays only in your browser and is not saved.
SOS Allergo resources
Auto-injector videos
On sosallergo.fr, choose the demonstration matching your exact device so you can review the technique before it is needed.
Children with allergies in group settings / PAI
For a child, find resources on the PAI, emergency kit, meals and activities.
Pillar 1 - Prepare for my appointment
Prepare useful documents for the appointment.
Pillar 2 - Describe the child’s symptoms
Prepare a description of the symptoms before the appointment.
SOS Allergo allergy card: prepare a card to keep with you and show to anyone who may need to help you.
Emergency action plan: view or download the action plan agreed with the healthcare professional who follows you.
References and resources
- Muraro A, Worm M, Alviani C, et al. EAACI guidelines: Anaphylaxis (2021 update). Allergy. 2022;77(2):357-377. DOI: 10.1111/all.15032.
- Resuscitation Council UK. 2025 Resuscitation Guidelines - First Aid: anaphylaxis. Recommandations consultées pour les principes de premiers secours, la position et la répétition de l’adrénaline.
- ANSM / documents patients et informations officielles des auto-injecteurs d’adrénaline commercialisés en France, notamment Anapen® et Jext®.
- ASCIA. First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis. Référence pratique internationale pour la reconnaissance des signes, l’administration d’adrénaline et la position du patient.