Taking the cap off an EpiPen incorrectly when treating a severe food allergy could potentially result in failure to deliver the drug, the distributor of the device says.
Health Canada said Friday that Pfizer Canada, distributor of the EpiPen and EpiPen Jr autoinjectors, says the blue safety cap on the device should be removed by pulling the cap straight up while holding the orange tip downward.
"It has recently come to our attention that removal of the blue safety cap the wrong way by pulling it sideways or bending and twisting it off may prevent the device from working properly and potentially result in failure to deliver the drug," the company said in a release Thursday.
The company also said patients should:
- Continue to carry their EpiPen or EpiPen Jr at all times.
- The blue safety cap should not be removed until you need to use the medication.
Patients are advised to review the safety information regularly and check that the device hasn’t been unintentionally activated, Health Canada said
