How to retrieve epinephrine from an auto-injector

DISCLAIMER: This is not FDA nor manufacturers approved or endorsed. This is only to serve as a last resort measure for medical professionals in case of needing to use epinephrine while away from medical centers or providers.

There a few medical scenarios where the use of epinephrine is of critical importance, such is the case with anaphylaxis. Most patients with history of anaphylaxis will carry with them at least one epinephrine aut0-injector in case they develop the disease; this is of particular importance if anaphylaxis occurs while in austere/wilderness environments. Occasionally patients will require multiple doses of epinephrine, bu the autoinjectors are designed for single dose administration; however they carry enough epinephrine in the cartridge for additional doses.  The video and reference explained how to access the medication. This maneuvers and therapeutics should only be used in case of extreme circumstances with more conventional care is to able to be accessed.

Reference

Hawkins SC, Weil C, Baty F, Fitzpatrick D, Rowell B. Retrieval of additional epinephrine from auto-injectors. Wilderness Environ Med. 2013 Dec;24(4):434-44. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2013.03.025. Epub 2013 Sep 14. PubMed PMID: 24041621.