The Resuscitation Council guidelines for the treatment of anaphylaxis recommend a 500mcg adrenaline dose for adults and children over the age of 12 years. Historically this has been achieved through the use of IM adrenaline 1 in 1000 (1mcg/ml) vials. A volume of 0.5mls of solution, equivalent to 500mcg, is drawn from the vial using a syringe and 23 gauge needle and injected at 90 degrees to the thigh.

Significant drawbacks to this route in a community setting are the need for additional injection technique training and the inability of patients undergoing an anaphylactic reaction to self-inject. Auto injectors overcome both these problems hence their widespread use in the community.

At the time of writing only the Emerade range has an AAI with a 500mcg dose. Jext and Epipen have a maximum strength device of 300mcg.