The Food and Drug Administration approved the first epinephrine nasal spray for severe allergic reactions on Friday, August 9.
The drug, sold under the name “Neffy” by San Diego-based ARS Pharmaceuticals, is approved for severe allergic reactions for adults and children weighing 66 pounds and up.
Patients can expect to pay between $25 to $199 out of pocket for two single-use sprays, depending on their insurance coverage. Patient assistance programs may also offer help with costs for eligible individuals.
The FDA approval provides a needle-free alternative to epipens, which some individuals may be reluctant to use, especially in cases of anaphylaxis.
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“That does, we know, delay treatment in individuals that are having an allergic reaction because those around them are nervous and are hesitant to use an injectable device,” allergist Dr. Payel Gupta with the Allergy and Asthma Network says.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis include sudden hives, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, a weak fast pulse, nausea, diarrhea, feeling dizzy or fainting. Symptoms typically occur within minutes of exposure to the allergen, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The new epinephrine nasal spray is expected to be widely available within eight weeks.
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