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Jext

Jext is an adrenaline auto-injector pen prescribed for people at risk of anaphylaxis. Here is what a UK household should know.

Jext is the brand name of an adrenaline auto-injector made by ALK-ABELLO UK, which publishes patient information at www.jext.co.uk1. It is a prescription medicine, not general emergency kit: it is prescribed to people who have had, or are at risk of, anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction that usually develops within minutes of contact with an allergen, and sometimes within seconds2. The product this site mentions is the Jext Adrenaline Auto-Injector 300 micrograms, one of the two auto-injector brands the medicines regulator names alongside EpiPen as safe and effective in the treatment of anaphylaxis3.

For a household getting ready for emergencies, a Jext pen is one of the few pieces of kit that matters most in the first minutes of a specific crisis. It needs no power, works in any weather, and only does its job if it is close at hand, stored correctly and used without hesitation.

What a household should know in an emergency

Anaphylaxis is a time-critical emergency. Official guidance is to use the auto-injector at the first signs of a reaction, then immediately dial 999 and tell the call handler you think someone has anaphylaxis, so the response can be prioritised4. If there is no improvement after the first dose, or the person improves and then deteriorates, give a second auto-injector 5 minutes after the initial dose; NHS guidance in Scotland notes repeated doses can be given every 5 minutes if symptoms persist or return3.

A power cut, flood or storm does not stop a Jext pen working: it is a mechanical injector with no battery or charging. What emergencies do threaten is storage and supply. Heat is the main risk at home, so keep the pen below 25°C, somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight, and away from windowsills; during a heatwave, a car or a sunny room can exceed that6. If your medicines seem to work differently in hot weather, speak to your pharmacist or doctor8.

Supply matters too. Jext was itself part of a national switch: when Emerade 500 microgram and 300 microgram auto-injectors were recalled in 2023 because of the potential for device failure, patients were moved to alternatives including Jext9, and official guidance states a single Jext 300 micrograms pen is a suitable replacement for a single Emerade 500 micrograms pen3. The lesson for any household holding prescription medicine is to keep enough to hand, check expiry dates as part of your household emergency kit routine, and know that recalls of medical devices do happen. If a pen fails or you suspect a fault, report it through the MHRA Yellow Card reporting tool and retain the pen if possible7.

For anything about your own prescription, which strength you need, or how many pens to carry, speak to your doctor or pharmacist11. Wider planning for medicines and health at home is covered in our guides to health emergencies, first aid at home and extra help for medically dependent households.

Sources (11)
  1. Your quick guide to Adrenaline Auto-Injectors, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, 2022-02
  2. Anaphylaxis first aid, NHS inform, 2026-07-24
  3. Recall of Emerade 500 micrograms and 300 micrograms auto-injectors (NatPSA/2023/004/MHRA), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, 2023-05-09
  4. Adrenaline auto-injector safety campaign, UK Government, 2023-10-17
  5. Adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs): new guidance and resources for safe use, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, 2023-06-27
  6. How to keep cool this summer, Lancashire County Council, 2026-10-29
  7. Class 2 medicines recall: Emerade 150, 300 and 500 microgram solution for injection (MDR 57-08-19), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, 2019-11-28
  8. Staying well in hot weather, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, 2026-10-29
  9. Recall of Emerade 300 and 500 microgram adrenaline auto-injector devices - Allergy UK incorporating Anaphylaxis UK, Allergy UK incorporating Anaphylaxis UK
  10. Emerade 500 micrograms auto-injector recall attachment, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, 2023-05-09
  11. First aid self-help, Aireborough Family Practice, 2026

Common questions

When should I use a Jext pen?

Use it without delay at the first signs of anaphylaxis, such as a severe allergic reaction after contact with a trigger. Anaphylaxis usually develops within minutes, and sometimes within seconds, and can be fatal. Official guidance is clear that using an adrenaline auto-injector early, at the first signs, improves the outcome, so do not wait to see whether symptoms settle on their own.

Can I give a second Jext dose if the first one does not work?

Yes. Official safety guidance says to administer a second auto-injector 5 minutes after the initial dose if no improvement is seen, or if the person improves at first and then deteriorates. NHS guidance in Scotland adds that repeated doses of adrenaline can be given every 5 minutes if the person shows no signs of improvement or if symptoms return. Always call 999 for an ambulance after using a pen.

What do I say when I call 999 after using Jext?

Tell the call handler that you think someone has anaphylaxis. Official guidance from the medicines regulator asks people to dial 999 immediately after administering adrenaline and to say the word anaphylaxis, so the ambulance response can be prioritised. Do this even if the person seems to be improving, because symptoms can return and more than one dose of adrenaline may be needed.

How should I store a Jext pen at home?

Keep it below 25°C, somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight, away from windowsills. Official hot-weather advice for medicines says most should be stored below 25°C or in the refrigerator, and to read the storage instructions on the packaging. During a heatwave, check where your pen usually lives: a car, a conservatory or a sunny shelf can all go above that temperature.

I was prescribed Emerade. What happens now?

Emerade 500 microgram and 300 microgram auto-injectors were recalled because of the potential for device failure. Official guidance says patients will be switched to an appropriate alternative, and a single Jext 300 micrograms pen is considered a suitable replacement for a single Emerade 500 micrograms pen. If you still hold Emerade pens, follow the recall advice you were given and speak to your GP or pharmacist.

How do I report a problem with a Jext pen?

Report all suspected adverse reactions or product quality defects via the MHRA Yellow Card reporting tool at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. Official safety guidance asks patients to retain the pen if possible when reporting, so keep it rather than throwing it away. This matters for anyone: a faulty pen discovered during an emergency is exactly the kind of problem the scheme exists to catch.

Where can I get advice about my own prescription?

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist. NHS guidance is consistent on this: if you are unsure about any medical matter, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice. They can tell you which strength is right for your weight, how many pens you should carry, and what to do about any other medicines or conditions that affect your treatment.

Jext products

First Aid 1

Jext Adrenaline Auto-Injector

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