Summary
- The FDA approved Neffy, the first epinephrine nasal spray for anaphylaxis, in August 2024.
- Neffy can be used by children who weigh at least 30 kg (66 lbs) during an allergic emergency.
- The typical dose of Neffy is one spray into one nostril, and a second dose can be given after 5 minutes.
Image courtesy of ARS Pharma
What is Neffy?
Neffy is an epinephrine nasal spray used to treat severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Previously, only epinephrine injections were available for this use. If your child is afraid of needles, Neffy might be a good option for them. Neffy got its FDA approval in August 2024.
Neffy comes as a single-dose nasal spray. Don’t prime it, because this will waste the dose. It can only be used one time. Always carry two doses of Neffy with you, and keep them at room temperature.
Who can use Neffy?
Currently, Neffy is FDA approved for adults and children who weigh 30 kg (66 lbs) or more. There are studies of Neffy in children who weigh less than 30 kg being done to see if it’s safe and effective.
Is Neffy as good as EpiPen?
Yes. Studies of Neffy have compared the nasal spray to the EpiPen and other injectable versions of epinephrine. They showed that the amount of medication that gets into the body is similar between a dose of Neffy and injectable epinephrine. What’s more, Neffy resulted in similar rises in blood pressure and heart rate. The bottom line: Neffy appears to work just as well or better than injectable epinephrine like the EpiPen.
How fast does Neffy work?
Neffy starts to work within 1 minute. If after giving one dose of Neffy your child’s symptoms get worse or don’t seem to be getting better, you may give a second dose 5 minutes after the first dose into the same nostril. Tell your child not to sniff during or right after giving a dose so the medication can get absorbed through the nose.
Talk to your child’s pediatrician about when to get medical help for an allergic reaction.
Does Neffy have a generic?
No. There is currently not a generic version of Neffy available. Neffy is only available as a brand-name medication, and you’ll need a prescription from your healthcare provider.
How much does Neffy cost?
If you have commercial insurance, you may be able to get Neffy for $25 per prescription (two single-use nasal spray devices) using the co-pay savings program. The manufacturer of Neffy also offers a Patient Assistance Program for eligible patients to get Neffy free of charge. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more. Without insurance, the price of Neffy is $199 for two doses through a discount program.
This is not medical advice and is not everything you need to know about safe and effective use of Neffy. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
References
ARS Pharma. 09/04/2024. ARS Pharmaceuticals Launches Pre-Ordering Services for neffy® to Help Patients Access the First and Only Needle-Free Treatment for Type I Allergic Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis. Accessed 10/10/24 at https://ir.ars-pharma.com/news-releases/news-release-details/ars-pharmaceuticals-launches-pre-ordering-services-neffyr-help
ARS Pharma. 2024. https://www.neffypro.com/#about. Accessed 10/10/24.
Ellis, A. K., et. al. 2024. Development of neffy, an Epinephrine Nasal Spray, for Severe Allergic Reactions. In: Pharmaceutics. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fpharmaceutics16060811
Neffy [package insert]. 08/2024. ARS Pharmaceuticals Operations, Inc. Accessed 10/10/24 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a1758142-a905-401d-8961-05829f51023a
US Food and Drug Administration. 08/2024. FDA Approves First Nasal Spray for Treatment of Anaphylaxis. Accessed 10/10/24 at https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-nasal-spray-treatment-anaphylaxis
