neffy
Pronunciation: ne-fee
Generic name: epinephrine nasal spray
Dosage form: nasal spray
Drug classes: Adrenergic bronchodilators, Catecholamines, Vasopressors
What is neffy?
neffy (epinephrine nasal spray) is used to treat severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in adults and children 66 lbs (30 kg) or more.
- Each neffy nasal spray for severe allergic reactions contains 1 dose of epinephrine.
- neffy should be given right away.
- neffy can be self-administered or a caregiver can give it.
How does neffy work?
neffy's mechanism of action for anaphylaxis is the same as epinephrine injections. It activates both alpha and beta receptors, which results in the following effects:
- relaxes smooth muscle in the airways to help with breathing
- narrows blood vessels and redirects blood flow to vital organs, such as the heart
- maintains adequate blood pressure and increases heart rate
- relaxes smooth muscles of the stomach and intestine to relieve digestive symptoms.
See How does neffy work? for more information.
neffy FDA approval
neffy gained FDA approval on August 9, 2024, and is the first needle-free treatment for severe allergic reactions.
neffy cost
Eligible patients with commercial insurance pay as little as $25 with a neffy Copay card.
If you are uninsured or insured but without any government or commercial drug coverage for neffy and need help paying for it, you may be able to receive it at no cost through the neffy Connect Support Program.
For the full cost of neffy, see neffy Prices, Coupons, Copay Cards & Patient Assistance.
neffy side effects
The most common side effects of neffy are:
- throat irritation
- tingling nose
- headache
- nasal discomfort
- feeling over excitement, nervousness, or anxiety
- tingling sensation
- fatigue
- shakiness
- runny nose
- itchy nose
- sneezing
- stomach pain
- pain in the gums of teeth
- numbness in the mouth
- nasal congestion
- dizziness
- nausea
- vomiting.
Serious side effects and warnings
Always carry neffy with you because you may not know when anaphylaxis may happen. You should carry 2 neffy devices with you because you may need a second neffy nasal spray if symptoms continue or come back.
Talk to your healthcare provider about additional neffy nasal sprays to keep at work, school, or other locations. Tell your family members, caregivers, and others where you keep your neffy nasal spray and how to use it before you need it. You may be unable to speak in an allergic emergency. When you have an allergic emergency (anaphylaxis)
- Use neffy right away.
- Get emergency medical help for further treatment of the allergic emergency (anaphylaxis), if needed after using neffy. Before you receive neffy, your healthcare provider should talk to you about when to get emergency help.
neffy may aggravate angina or affect the heartbeat in people with heart disease.
neffy contains a sulfite but this should not stop people allergic to sulfites from using it. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
If you have certain medical conditions or take certain medicines, your condition may get worse or you may have more or longer lasting side effects when you use neffy. Talk to your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions.
- You should still use neffy to treat anaphylaxis as prescribed by your healthcare provider, regardless of your medical conditions or the medicine you take.
It is not known if neffy is safe and effective in children who weigh less than 66 pounds (30 kilograms).
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of neffy. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Before using neffy
People with certain nasal conditions, such as nasal polyps or a history of nasal surgery, should talk to their healthcare provider before using neffy because these conditions may affect the absorption of neffy.
Before using neffy, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, especially if you:
- have nasal problems including nasal polyps, a history of injury such as a broken nose, or any past nasal surgery
- have heart problems
- have kidney problems
- have low potassium levels in your blood
- have Parkinson’s disease
- have thyroid problems
- have high blood pressure
- have diabetes
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Pregnancy
It is not known if neffy will harm your unborn baby.
Breastfeeding
It is not known if neffy passes into your breast milk.
How should I use neffy?
Read the neffy Instructions for Use for detailed information about how to use the neffy nasal spray. Use neffy exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have questions about the use of neffy.
- neffy is for use in the nose only. Do not spray in the eyes or mouth.
- Each neffy nasal spray has 1 dose of medicine and cannot be reused. Do not test or prime (pre-spray) the device.
- Your neffy comes in a carton with 2 nasal sprays. You may need to use a second neffy nasal spray if symptoms continue or get worse.
- You should always carry 2 neffy nasal sprays with you.
neffy dosing information
neffy is for use in the nose only.
- neffy is given as 1 dose in either nostril.
- If a second dose of neffy is needed, it should be given in the same nostril, starting 5 minutes after the first dose.
- Do not sniff during or after receiving a dose of neffy.
If any liquid drips out of the nose, you may not receive the full dose of medicine.
If your symptoms continue or get worse, give a second dose of neffy in the same nostril, starting 5 minutes after the first dose.
Get emergency help for further treatment of the anaphylactic episode, if needed, after using neffy. Before you receive neffy, your healthcare provider should talk to you about when to get emergency help. For more information and video instructions on the use of neffy, go to www.neffy.com or call 1-877-MY-NEFFY (1-877-696-3339).
Related/similar drugs
prednisone, loratadine, triamcinolone, diphenhydramine, promethazine, Benadryl, epinephrine, Phenergan, EpiPen, Adrenalin
Symptoms of anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening, can happen in minutes, and can be caused by stinging and biting insects, allergy injections, foods, medicines, exercise, or other unknown causes. Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:
- trouble breathing
- wheezing
- hoarseness (changes in the way your voice sounds)
- hives (raised reddened rash that may itch)
- severe itching
- swelling of your face, lips, mouth, or tongue
- skin rash, redness, or swelling
- fast heartbeat
- weak pulse
- feeling very anxious
- confusion
- stomach pain
- losing control of urine or bowel movements (incontinence)
- diarrhea or stomach cramps
- dizziness, fainting, or “passing out” (unconsciousness).
What other drugs will affect neffy?
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Tell your healthcare provider of all known allergies. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take or use:
- other nasal sprays
- water pills (diuretics)
- medicines to treat depression such as tricyclic antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors)
- medicines to treat abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias) such as cardiac glycosides
- medicines to treat Parkinson’s disease such as catechol-O-methyl-transferase inhibitors (COMT inhibitors) and ergot alkaloids
- medicines for heart disease including alpha-blockers (such as phentolamine) and beta-blockers (such as propranolol)
- medicines for thyroid disease such as levothyroxine sodium
- medicines used in labor
- medicines to treat allergies such as diphenhydramine, tripelennamine, or chlorpheniramine (antihistamines).
neffy may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how neffy works. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. See the neffy Prescribing Information for a full list of interactions.
neffy storage
Store neffy at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
- Do not freeze. If neffy freezes, the device will not spray.
Your neffy has an expiration date. Replace neffy before the expiration date.
Keep out of the reach of children.
neffy ingredients
Active Ingredient: epinephrine 2 mg.
Inactive Ingredients: benzalkonium chloride, disodium edetate, n-dodecyl beta-D-maltoside, sodium chloride, sodium metabisulfite, and hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH, in water for injection.
Each neffy nasal spray contains 2 mg/0.1 mL of epinephrine per spray.
Who makes neffy?
ARS Pharmaceuticals makes neffy nasal spray.
Popular FAQ
How does neffy work?
neffy works in the same way as epinephrine injections, activating both alpha and beta receptors to narrow blood vessels. This helps to maintain blood pressure and heart function, and relaxes smooth muscles in the airways of the lungs to make breathing easier. neffy may also relax the smooth muscles of the stomach and intestine to relieve digestive symptoms often associated with anaphylaxis, such as nausea. Continue reading
How much does Auvi-Q cost compared to EpiPen?
The cash price for a 2-pack of Auvi-Q autoinjector is around $300 compared to $650 for an EpiPen 2-pack. Prices can vary depending upon the pharmacy you visit and if you have any coupons or manufacturer discounts. Auvi-Q and EpiPen are brand names for epinephrine autoinjectors. Continue reading
Can you use an expired EpiPen in an emergency?
If someone is having an anaphylactic reaction, and all you have on hand is a recently expired EpiPen, then use it so long as it is not discolored and does not contain any particles. There is minimal risk in using a recently expired EpiPen, but the benefits are significant. But check the clear viewing window of the pen and if you notice it is discolored or contains particles then don’t use it as the solution may have oxidized, making it less effective. Continue reading
Can you bring an EpiPen on a plane?
You can bring your EpiPen onto a plane – they are a common medical device and they should not cause any fuss when you are going through airport security. You can carry them in your handbag, laptop bag, or other carry-on luggage. It is a very good idea to take your EpiPen with you on the plane because the small confines of an aircraft increase your odds of being exposed to a trigger allergen while you are flying and having an anaphylactic reaction. Continue reading
What's the mechanism of action for epinephrine?
Epinephrine works by activating both alpha and beta receptors found in your body in response to a severe allergy (called anaphylaxis). By acting on alpha receptors, it helps to maintain your blood pressure and heart function, and by acting on beta receptors, it relaxes your lung airways to help relieve shortness of breath and wheezing. Continue reading
Does epinephrine cause vasoconstriction?
Yes, epinephrine causes vasoconstriction (tightening of the blood vessels). This results in increased blood pressure. Continue reading
More FAQ
More about neffy (epinephrine)
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- During pregnancy
- FDA approval history
- Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators
- Breastfeeding
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Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.