Listen to Story The first-ever nasal spray containing epinephrine, for use in emergencies to treat severe allergic reactions has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The nasal spray, called Neffy, can help treat allergies like anaphylaxis, in both adults and children. Neffy is administered as a single spray into one nostril .
If symptoms remain or get worse, a second dose may be required. Kelly Stone, Associate Director of the FDA’s Division of Pulmonology, Allergy, and Critical Care, said that anaphylaxis can be serious and life-threatening and sometimes, children might hesitate or avoid treatment because they fear injections. "The introduction of an epinephrine nasal spray could help overcome this barrier, making it easier to quickly treat anaphylaxis.
Neffy provides a crucial new option for treatment and fills an important need," said Stone in an official statement. Anaphylaxis is a dangerous condition that can be triggered by allergens such as certain foods, medications, or insect stings. Epinephrine is the only life-saving treatment available for it, and it has traditionally been given through an injection.
The FDA fast-tracked the approval of Neffy, manufactured by ARS Pharmaceuticals. Neffy's approval came after four studies involving 175 healthy adults , where researchers measured epinephrine levels in the blood after using Neffy or an approved epinephrine injection. The studies found that Neffy produced similar levels of epinephrine in the bl.