BACKGROUND: Individual case reports of accidental injection with epinephrine appear in the literature and seem to represent the worst case scenarios. We present a case series of 28 exposures to epinephrine via autoinjector. METHOD: All accidental parenteral injections of epinephrine by autoinjector reported to two regional poison information centers over a 2-year period were included. RESULTS: Injection sites included digits (23 cases), palm (4 cases), and thigh (1 case). Symptoms included swelling, pallor, pain, and erythema. Four patients reported no effect, and 9 required no treatment. Ten patients obtained relief with warm soaks, 1 patient had massage only, and 2 patients were lost to follow-up. Fourteen were examined in the emergency department, and 14 were treated at home. CONCLUSION: Although some injection injuries must be treated in an emergency facility, many can be treated at home. Immediate referral to a health care facility is not needed in all cases and at times is unwarranted.
BACKGROUND: Individual case reports of accidental injection with epinephrine appear in the literature and seem to represent the worst case scenarios. We present a case series of 28 exposures to epinephrine via autoinjector. METHOD: All accidental parenteral injections of epinephrine by autoinjector reported to two regional poison information centers over a 2-year period were included. RESULTS: Injection sites included digits (23 cases), palm (4 cases), and thigh (1 case). Symptoms included swelling, pallor, pain, and erythema. Four patients reported no effect, and 9 required no treatment. Ten patients obtained relief with warm soaks, 1 patient had massage only, and 2 patients were lost to follow-up. Fourteen were examined in the emergency department, and 14 were treated at home. CONCLUSION: Although some injection injuries must be treated in an emergency facility, many can be treated at home. Immediate referral to a health care facility is not needed in all cases and at times is unwarranted.