FDA Approves First Nasal Spray for Allergic Reactions

Aug. 9, 2024 – An epinephrine nasal spray to treat serious allergic reactions may soon be available in the U.S.

The FDA announced its approval of the nasal spray, called neffy, on Friday. It’s for adults, and for children who weigh at least 66 pounds, who have what are known as type 1 allergic reactions, which include the potentially life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis. Signs are trouble breathing or swallowing, skin symptoms like hives and swelling, stomach problems like cramps or nausea, and heart issues like a drop in blood pressure and rapid heartbeat.

Allergic reactions are triggered by an abnormal immune system response, usually to something like foodor medication, or from an insect sting. Until now, the only treatment for anaphylaxis was an epinephrine shot in the thigh, usually through an automatic injector pen like the EpiPen. Up to 2% of people in the U.S. are estimated to have a lifetime chance of having anaphylaxis.

Neffy is taken as a single dose sprayed into one nostril, and a combination of four studies among 175 healthy adults showed the product could achieve a blood epinephrine level similar to what you’d get from a shot, as well as a similar increase in blood pressure and heart rate. In a study of children weighing more than 66 pounds, blood concentration levels after taking neffy were similar to levels seen in adults who used the product.

When a person’s blood pressure drops too low, they can go into anaphylactic shock, and swollen bronchial tissue can lead to loss of consciousness. Life-saving treatment is needed right away in cases of anaphylactic shock.

People with some nasal conditions or a history of nasal surgery should talk to a health care professional about whether they should use neffy, the FDA advised, and the product also may not be safe for some people with certain other conditions or sulfite allergies.

No announcement has been made by neffy maker ARS Pharma as to when the product will likely be available in the U.S., but the company announced recently that it’s expected to be available in Europe by the end of this year. There was also no word on how much neffy will cost. 

A previous announcement from ARS Pharma about its efforts to get neffy FDA-approved emphasized the importance of offering a needle-free treatment option.

“While epinephrine autoinjectors have been shown to be highly effective, there are well published limitations that result in many patients and caregivers delaying or not administering treatment in an emergency situation,” the company said.