Overview
30-40% of the world population have an allergic reaction to food or pills …
Hundreds die annually because of allergies …
What kind of action can be done when you notice a stranger or a loved one struggling from an unexpected severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)?
Most of you are probably familiar with EpiPen, an adrenaline auto injector used for self administration of adrenaline for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis, which helps to quickly combat with allergic reactions, just by injecting into the middle of the outer thigh. This medical innovation, which has saved millions of lives for a long period of time, is groundbreaking. We all should know that there are some drawbacks to it, limitations, and the fact that there is already another medical invention for this medical condition.
This article is all about Anaphylaxis’s symptoms, reactions, and the power and functions of Neffy Needle-Free Nasal Spray against this medical condition.
What happens with the body during severe allergic reactions or what are the symptoms and causes of Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, as it can stop a person’s breathing or heartbeat. It can acquire unexpectedly and develop very fast within seconds or minutes of exposure to something that the person is allergic to, such as peanuts, honey, or oranges.
Anaphylaxis causes the immune system to release a flood of chemicals that can then cause a person to go into shock. blood pressure drops suddenly, and the airways narrow, resulting in blushing breathing.
Sights and symptoms include a rapid, weak pulse; a skin rash; and nausea and vomiting. Common triggers include certain types of foods, some medications, insect venom, and latex.
In case if you encounter a person suffering from anaphylaxis or know someone who has severe allergic reaction to certain food or medication warn them to have a medication which will contain an epinephrine also known as adrenaline, a vital hormone and neurotransmitter produced by the target body’s adrenaline glands, acting as a powerful “Fight to fight” chemical that increase a heart rate, blood flow to muscles and blood sugar. Medically, it is a life-saving drug for severe allergic reactions, cardiac arrest, and asthma.
Epinephrine auto-injectors such as EpiPens have long been the primary treatment for anaphylaxis. But nobody likes getting a needle. Likely now there is a Neffy, a new emergency nasal spray. It is the first epinephrine product for anaphylaxis treatment that does not involve a needle.
Neffy Spray
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Neffy in August 2024 for adults and children who weigh at least 66 pounds after the product received a “Fast Track” designation, which expedites the review of drugs that fill an unmet need for people with serious conditions.
The FDA approval of Neffy was based on 4 studies involving a total of 175 healthy adults who did not have anaphylaxis. Epinephrine concentration in their blood was measured after both administration of Neffy and approved epinephrine injection products.
The results of the studies showed that the concentration levels of epinephrine in the blood were similar regardless of the delivery method (EpiPen or Neffy). The two methods also resulted in similar increases in blood pressure and heart rate, both of which are critical to the treatment of anaphylaxis.
How to Use Neffy and how does it work?
Neffy works in the same way as epinephrine injectors like EpiPen, activating both alpha and beta receptors to narrow blood vessels.
When used to treat life-threatening allergies, neffy:
- relaxes the airway muscles to help with breathing
- constricts blood vessels to maintain blood pressure
- reduce swelling, hives, or itching that may occur around the face, eyes, or lips
- stimulated the heart (increased heart rate)
- prevents the release of histamine, which can further worsen allergies
Neffy vs EpiPen
Neffy is a needle-free nasal spray that is sprayed into the nose, while EpiPen is an injection that is given into a large muscle, such as the thigh.
- Neffy contains either 1 mg or 2 mg epinephrine per dose.
- An EpiPen injection contains 0.3 mg per dose, and an EpiPen Junior auto injector delivers 0.15 mg per dose.
- Neffy contains a higher dose of epinephrine than EpiPen because it is being given via the nose rather than by directly injecting it into the body and then delivering it directly to the bloodstream. That is why a higher dose is needed for the same effectiveness.
Side Effects of Neffy and EpiPen
Neffy:
- feeling jittery
- gum pain
- headache
- sneezing
- throat titration
EpiPen
- skin redness
- fast heartbeat
- dizziness
- anxiety
- headache
Which anaphylaxis treatment should I choose?
Anyone who has ever experienced severe allergic reactions to food, bites, or medications, has a history of allergies and/or asthma, is at a greater risk for anaphylaxis and should consult with an allergist, one of the greatest doctors says – Dr. Rodenas
“We treat each patient based on their history and prior experiences”, he says.
We all should know that both Neffy and auto-injectable EpiPen are available by prescription of doctors only.
“Each method has local side effects that are unique to the delivery area,” Dr. Rodenas says. “With injection, you’re going to have pain in the delivery area, and with nasal delivery, you’re going to have nasal or throat irritation, sneezing, or a runny nose.”
Whatever epinephrine delivery methods are used, anyone who has an anaphylactic episode should also go to a hospital emergency room for close monitoring and in case further treatment is needed.
Final Words
While the EpiPen has been the gold standard for years, Neffy offers a modern, non-invasive alternative that matches the efficacy of an injection without the needle. However, it is important to remember that the delivery method is only half the battle. Regardless of which device you carry, the protocol remains the same: use it at the first sign of anaphylaxis and seek emergency medical care immediately. Innovation is changing the face of allergy treatment, making it easier than ever to stay safe in a world full of triggers.
Leave a Reply