What is Neffy?

What is Neffy, you may ask? Maybe you have been hearing the name in the news over the past year. Neffy is the brand name for a nasal epinephrine spray made by ARS Pharmaceuticals. It would be the first needle free option for administering epinephrine when experiencing an allergic reaction. Neffy was supposed to receive FDA approval in September, 2023, but did not because more data on the safety of repeated uses was needed.

A study published on 2/21/24 shows that nasal epinephrine is an effective and stable treatment for anaphylaxis. The studied put the nasal spray under accelerated conditions compared to the EpiPen and found that over 12 months, there was less than 1% degradation of the medication compared to 32% degradation of the EpiPen. Once the nasal formation was administered, it was absorbed in 5-10 minutes; with comparable levels to EpiPens.

Since treatment options have historically been limited to only needle epinephrine autoinjectors, using a needle free system may be a great option for those who are afraid of using a needle! It will help take fear away of needle sticks, accidental sticks, and hopefully allow for more timely administration. There are different doses for different ages/weights for children and adults. This one fits in the pocket too!

What is next? Between now and October the FDA is expected to make a BIG decision on whether to approve Neffy. I look forward to reviewing the results of the clinical trials to see if the allergy community will have an alternative to injectable epinephrine.

If you need help treating your child’s food allergy, please contact your allergist.

Contact me if you’d like to help navigating your child’s food allergy.