Autoinjector with shock reducing elements

An injection device for drug delivery, the injection device comprising:

• a container for storing a drug, the container comprising a stopper movably disposed in the container for expelling the drug;
• an injection drive mechanism comprising a plunger for acting on the stopper and an energy source for exerting a force on the plunger to cause the plunger to move in a distal direction to act on the stopper to expel the drug, the force causing the plunger to accelerate to a velocity prior to acting on the stopper;
• and
• a damping mechanism for reducing the velocity of the plunger prior to acting on the stopper, the damping mechanism comprising energy absorbing material disposed on the plunger such that at least a portion of a proximally-facing surface of the energy absorbing material contacts at least a portion of a distally-facing surface of the plunger prior to any movement of the plunger in the distal direction,
• wherein, prior to any movement of the plunger in the distal direction, a distally-facing surface of the energy absorbing material is spaced from a proximally-facing surface of the stopper.