Is an expired EpiPen safe to use?

Huge EpiPen recall, parents: Check those expiration dates!

If you have a child or family member with food allergies (like I do) , you need to check those EpiPens. Like, right now! Mylan, the company that makes EpiPen, has issued a voluntary EpiPen recall of 13 lots of EpiPen and EpiPen Jr Auto-Injectors distributed in the U.S. The recall was actually expanded to the U.S. after a recall was issued outside the country because of two reported incidents where the device failed to activate.

Related: The silver lining of the Mylan EpiPen price hike news, from a mom of a child with food allergies

At the moment, the EpiPen recall is for devices distributed between Dec. 17, 2015 and July 1, 2016 with expiration dates ranging from April 2017 – October 2017. (You can find the lot number on the box or on the side of the EpiPen.) If your injectors do happen to be included in the recall, Mylan will replace them free of charge but they're asking families affected to hold onto their recalled ones until they have replacements in hand. And, parents, remember to check the EpiPens you have with your child's school nurse or day care center too. For more information and details about the EpiPen recall, check the Mylan website. 

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