Some people have extremely bad reactions to certain types of foods like tree nuts or seafood. While you can always avoid these foods as much as possible, allergic reactions can still be triggered from trace amounts of the foods you’re allergic to. Epinephrine can be used to help manage these types of extreme allergic reactions, and it can even potentially save your life if your reaction is severe enough.

Also known as adrenaline, epinephrine can be prescribed for people who have severe food allergies. This substance helps to control your reaction and keep it under control so that you can make it through safely. When you have a prescription for epinephrine, it will usually come in a self-injectable form. These forms are very easy to use, and generally just involve a simple shot in the leg that is done automatically by pressing a button. Two common commercial names for this form of epinephrine are EpiPen and Twinject.

If you have been prescribed epinephrine for the treatment of a food allergy, then you should always keep it with you. Some people will only keep it at home and not take it with them when they go out to eat. This is extremely dangerous and could potentially cost you your life! Keeping your epinephrine accessible at all times is the best way to go, even if you don’t think you’ll be eating anything while you’re out. Some of the best places to keep it are in the car or in a bag that you carry with you at all times.