auto-injector

noun

au·​to-in·​ject·​or ˌȯ-tō-in-ˈjek-tər 

variants or less commonly autoinjector

medical

: a device for injecting oneself with a single, preloaded dose of a drug that typically consists of a spring-loaded syringe activated when the device is pushed firmly against the body

Examples of auto-injector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In those cases, the only way to prevent allergic reactions is to avoid milk and products that contain milk or milk proteins, the Mayo Clinic says, adding that people with milk allergies should have epinephrine auto-injectors, known as EpiPens, on hand in case of accidental ingestion. —Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2024

Even though epinephrine is the only effective treatment for anaphylaxis, only 52% of food allergy patients have been prescribed auto-injectors, according to a 2022 study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. —Eleanor Garrow-Holding, STAT, 29 Dec. 2023

The standard of care for people with food allergies is to avoid allergens and carry an epinephrine auto-injector pen (EpiPen) in case of an anaphylactic emergency. —Amy Isler, Rn, Msn, Csn, Verywell Health, 5 Dec. 2023

There are many people, especially younger patients, who have anxiety about the auto-injector’s needle. —Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2023

Since 2017, there have been shortages of the EpiPen, and other auto-injectors have been pulled from the market over quality control problems. —Isabella Cueto, STAT, 20 Sep. 2023

Despite the sky-high price of naloxone sprays and auto-injectors, the simpler formulation is often available for pennies on the dollar, and one of its principal manufacturers, Pfizer, has donated over 1 million doses to community groups in recent years. —Lev Facher, STAT, 31 Aug. 2023

For example, having a current epinephrine auto-injector (EAI) prescription was more common among people with higher household incomes and the use of EAIs was higher in those with higher household incomes. —Brian Mastroianni, Health, 30 June 2023

There is a growing movement to add epinephrine auto-injectors to address allergies on commercial airlines. —Erika Edwards, NBC News, 3 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

auto- + injector

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

auto-injector

noun

au·​to-in·​ject·​or ˌȯ-(ˌ)tō-ˌin-ˈjek-tər 

variants also autoinjector

: a device for injecting oneself with a single, preloaded dose of a drug that typically consists of a spring-loaded syringe activated when the device is pushed firmly against the body

Some parents and health officials say epinephrine auto-injectors should be as common in schools as defibrillators are, so immediate help would be available to any student suffering anaphylaxis …

—Noreen S. Ahmed-Ullah, The Chicago Tribune