EpiPen Disposal: How to Do it Safely
Getting Rid of an Epinephrine Auto Injector
If you or someone you love has a life threatening allergy (anaphylaxis), chances are you have at least one EpiPen on hand at all times, many stored at home, and perhaps even a few at facilities or schools you may frequent regularly. An EpiPen is an auto injector (spring activated needle) which expels epinephrine (adrenaline), and should be handled with care.
How to use, care for and store an EpiPen may be common knowledge among those who require one, however, disposing of EpiPens can prove taxing, and potentially nerve-wracking. With a needle many inches long chocked full of a foreign agent, many anaphylactics have a small collection of expired or faulty EpiPens sitting in their homes, without a clear idea as to where or how to correctly dispose of them. Here are some of your options – and preparations you should make – when it comes time to dispose of an EpiPen.
If possible, return your EpiPen to the plastic case it came in and screw the large green lid on as tightly as possible. If your EpiPen has been used, carefully avoid the exposed needle at the head of the injector while placing it back inside the plastic case. You may want to do this over a napkin or paper towel in case any solution left in the injector drips out of the syringe.
Call the following professionals to confirm that they will assist you in properly disposing of your EpiPen. Health care professionals vary greatly in their services, so take the time to pick up the phone before assuming any of the following will relieve you of your epinephrine injector:
Your pharmacist disposes of their own stock of expired EpiPens and will often take yours as well. They also know their customers, (perhaps they even filled the prescription in the first place) and will not be suspect of you when you walk in with a tube full of adrenaline. Bonus for you: You can get a new EpiPen prescription filled at the same time to replace the one you’re throwing away and save yourself a trip.
Your doctor’s office will have a ‘sharps’ disposal, and will sometimes take auto-injectors as well.
The local hospital, the emergency room or allergy clinic in your local hospital may all accept an EpiPen for disposal as they themselves will be disposing of their own used sharps and needles daily.
Medical Labs, especially those where blood work and needles are a staple will sometimes take EpiPens for disposal.
Always ask if the facility charges a fee for disposing of your EpiPen. Many do. Often, it’s well worth the extra couple of minutes it takes to call the next professional on the list to get the service for free.
If all else fails, you can dispose of your EpiPen in your household garbage. Especially in cases where the EpiPen has been used, use extreme care and ensure that the injector is completely secure in its plastic case. Place the EpiPen directly into a garbage can that cannot under any circumstances be accessed by a child.
2010 The Year for Allergy Intelligence
Executive Director Mireille Schwartz was recently interviewed by Los Angeles Magazine.
LA Magazine: Why is this the year of Allergy Intelligence?
Mireille Schwartz: An empowered, educated food allergic individual is his/her own best defense. New, emerging strategies and prophylactic medication allow each person to manage their own health better and work with their Immunologist to create Action Plans they can each live with.
LA Mag: Why are we hearing that folks can indulge in mini-amounts of, say, peanut butter and build up a tolerance to cure themselves of allergic reactions?
MS: Patently untrue. There are studies in controlled environments – medical facilities – wherein test subjects can ingest miniscule amounts of a protein allergen and MAYBE increase their tolerance over time. These medical experiments are not designed to “cure” food allergy, rather the goal is to manage a severe anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction) by reducing the number of histamines released in an allergic crisis. I’m hearing good things about these studies, and time will tell how effective they are. For the time being my best personal advice is to strictly avoid food-allergens and hope that the body either outgrows the allergy or settles down and the allergic reaction becomes less severe. Always carry your Epi Pen and antihistamine, and practice with friends & family until you know how to utilize these life-saving tools.
LA Mag: Do you personally live with food allergy?
MS: I do and I don’t! (Laughs) I used to have a family member with severe food allergy to Peanuts and Tree Nuts, but with several years of strict management and avoidance our issue has settled down and gone away. The way my Board and I function is to design individualized strategies for food allergic Bay Area youths – what works for one person may not work for another. But we stick with it and customize comprehensive action plans for each and every child until we find a way that works for not only the youth but also for the entire family.
LA Mag: Do you feel compelled to provide this service or is it a labor of love?
MS: It’s what I was put on this earth to do. I can’t differentiate, but I know what you’re asking. And the answer is: both. Any one family I can help is reason enough to do what I do.
Executive Director Mireille Schwartz and Boardmember Damion Matthews