Switch from Jr. to Regular Epi-pen question

[Stinkerbe11]

We just renewed my son's rx and he was given regular epi-pens instead of the jrs. He is a very skinny 7 yr old (45 lbs). Has anyone else been switched to the regular when their child was less than the manufacturer's recommended 66 lbs?

 

[hildarumpole]

My DS was switched to the regular EpiPen when he was 7, even though he was 20 lbs under the recommended weight. The allergist said he did it because he found that kids that weight would almost always require a 2nd Epi Jr. shot. One regular Epi dose resulted in better outcomes, in his experience. When the allergist retired last year, we had to switch drs. The new dr. was confused about why my DS, then 54 lbs., had been prescribed a regular Epi, but renewed the prescription anyway, since he figured DS would probably gain a few pounds and be o.k. I trusted our previous dr., because he'd been practicing for over 40 years and seen it all when it comes to allergies.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Here they do it by weight, the pharmacist asks how much he weighs whenever I go to get it renewed...the doctor never bothers

 

[krisnme]

Our Dr. was very careful to monitor DS's weight and did not change to the adult dose until DS had reached the weight. She did have me carry an additional epi Jr. just in case he needed more but said the larger dose really was too much for him. As an EMT we were not allowed to use the adult dose for a child. I was told the higher dose can cause a raceing heart that can then lead to arrest. Epi is short acting, that is why you can give a second dose, but don't confuse this with giving a larger dose. I would check with another Dr. or your Pharmicist.

 

[EvangelineG]

My sons were prescribed regular epipens when they were still well under the target weight. Due to the severity of their allergies, the allergist felt that we would be safer with the adult dosage.

 

[Stinkerbe11]

We are going in next week, so I will have them weigh him and double check. Epinephrine is an intense medication...I was given a small dose in a vein (was supposed to be sub q, but the MA went too deep) and I thought I was dying. Everyone had left the room, my heart was pounding and I started getting tunnel vision When the doctor finally came in I told her what had happened and she dismissed it saying "Oh, you've never had that happen at the dentist before?" and laughed it off.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My ds10 was switched from the Epi Jr to the adult one several years ago - I would say he was probably 7 or so.