FDA approves first nasal spray for anaphylaxis

[Wicked Blue]

Source: NBC

Aug. 9, 2024, 12:37 PM EDT / Source: Reuters

The Food and Drug Administration has approved ARS Pharmaceuticals’ nasal spray as the first needle-free emergency treatment for potentially fatal allergic reactions, the agency said on Friday.

The spray, which will be sold under the brand name Neffy, is seen as an alternative to EpiPen and other autoinjectors like Kaleo’s Auvi-Q that are filled with epinephrine, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions.

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that typically involves multiple parts of the body and is considered a medical emergency.

Neffy, a single-dose nasal spray administered into one nostril, was approved for use in adult and pediatric patients who weigh at least 66 pounds.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-approves-first-nasal-spray-anaphylaxis-epinephrine-rcna165987

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This could be a godsend to those with severe allergic reactions to things like bee stings, peanuts, shellfish and more

[getagrip_already]

1. Any idea of cost?

That is the big issue with the epi pen. Even with insurance, its hundreds of dollars.

I keep one on hand because i keep honeybees. Im not allergic, but you can become allergic at any time. Its also there in case a guest gets stung.

But damn, they aint cheap.

[Wicked Blue]

2. Possibly $199 but less with coupons

STATNews

An epinephrine nasal spray has been difficult to develop because the drug is not well-absorbed through the nose, said ARS CEO Richard Lowenthal, a 25-year veteran in drug development who started his career as a new drug reviewer at the FDA.

...

Lowenthal told STAT in September that a pair of neffy would not cost more than $199, even for people who are uninsured or have high-deductible health insurance plans. For most people with commercial insurance, ARS plans to use coupons to drive copays down to $25 per two-pack.

https://www.statnews.com/2024/08/09/allergic-reaction-epipen-alternative-nasal-spray-fda-approval/

[getagrip_already]

3. Wow, that will drive down epi pen costs as well

A little competition never hurts......

But $25, damn.

[GB_RN]

4. EpiPen's Price Is Fucking Criminal.

The injector was designed by the IS government back in the 1960s. The drug in it is epinephrine, aka adrenaline. That’s relatively easy and cheap to produce. It’s been around forever and as such, there’s no patent on it (as I recall from nursing school discussions, which was about the time that Mylen Pharmaceuticals raised the price from $300 to $600).
Now, here’s the kicker: Mylen Pharmaceuticals was based in West Virginia. At the time Mylen jacked up the price, a certain WV senator’s daughter ran that goddamned company (three guesses as to who that Senator is, and the first two don’t count). And, because this Senator was relatively powerful, his daughter and Mylen were basically shielded from too much scrutiny, especially where it came to Senate committee investigations.

That all went down at the same time that the infamous Pharmabro (or as I prefer, pharma-douche) raised the price on a generic anti-parasitic drug that is critical for HIV/AIDS patients.

I fucking hate them all.🤬

[mopinko]

5. you can still buy primatine. epinephrine inhaler.

i dont know how the strength compares to this, but it’s only about $25.
works better for me than albuterol.