If allergies, and especially anaphylaxis, are so common, why do we still need prescriptions for epi pens and such?
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>If allergies, and especially anaphylaxis, are so common, why do we still need prescriptions for epi pens and such?
Prescriptions are used to limit dangerous chemicals/medications to the use of folk who 1. need them and 2. have been instructed on how to use them by a physician.
Whether or not they are commonly used or required doesn’t factor into it.
Things need prescriptions when they’re potentially dangerous or abusable. Epipens (a bunch of adrenaline in rapid-injection device) are both.
How commonly people need a medicine isn’t a factor in whether it’s available over the counter or only with prescription.
Societal inertia.
A lot of what happens in any society, happens just because ‘that’s the way we’ve always done it.’
Because adrenaline can be abused and obviously has side effects. Hypertension, arrythmias, haemorrhage, aneurysm bursts, cardiac arrests are just some of the side-effects of adrenaline.
Very few allergies are severe enough to cause anaphylaxis which is caused by an antibody called immunoglobulin E overreacting to what it thinks are infections and causing excess histamine to be released which in turn can cause severe reactions possibly leading to anaphylaxis. Giving an EpiPen injection to someone not in anaphylaxis could kill them so they aren’t just handed out like sweets.
Epipens can be dangerous, even when administered correctly.
People need to know that even though the symptoms should improve when they take the epipen they still need to go to hospital because other treatment and often additional adrenalin may be required- epipen is kinda a first aid move.
Diagnosis of who needs an epipen can be complex – its not always clear to people if what they had was anaphylaxis or not (severe episodes are generally fairly identifiable, but milder episodes can be tricky – a combo of rash and vomiting might need someone to have access to an epipen even though thats not what most people think of when they think anaphylaxis).
We don’t. Bought one two weeks ago, just need to ask the pharmacist (OTC, not free service).
I’m not sure where you live, but not all countries require a prescription to buy EpiPen…
If the main purpose of guns is self defense, why do we need regulations and rules regarding them?
Because not everyone is in desperate need of one or will use them responsibly.
If we gave out guns to anyone who wanted one society would crumble.
Epi-pens are of course not as lethal as guns but if you use one and don’t need it you’re going to damage yourself.
Adrenaline is great if you need to outrun an assailant or wild animal or need your heart to start beating but too much of it will damage your heart and muscles.
When they talk about Mothers lifting cars off their children in an Adrenaline rush those mothers often also end up needing medical attention because they tore their muscles to shreds lifting that car, not noticing because Adrenaline can turn off your pain receptors.
People who are/were “Adrenaline junkies” doing high intensity sports or stunts tend to have a larger chance of heart issues because they’re overworking their hearts everytime they get their high meaning they go bad earlier.
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