New nasal spray treats emergency allergic reactions
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The reading
There is good news for people who have allergies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA has approved a nasal spray to treat emergency allergic reactions. The WHO says up to 40 per cent of people worldwide suffer from an allergy. Around 11 per cent of people have a food allergy. Allergies can cause a condition called anaphylaxis. This is life-threatening. Anaphylaxis is caused by allergens like peanuts, dairy products, bee stings, fresh fruit and many other things. People who suffer anaphylactic shock can have different symptoms. These include dangerously low blood pressure, vomiting or diarrhoea. Some people experience a swollen tongue and / or throat, which can cause trouble breathing and lead to death.
The new nasal spray is called Neffy. It means people no longer need an EpiPen injection. They simply spray the drug up their nose. This is welcome news for people who have a fear of needles. Neffy is the first treatment of anaphylaxis that is not treated by an injection. An FDA spokesperson said: "Anaphylaxis is life-threatening and some people, particularly children, may delay or avoid treatment due to a fear of injections. The availability of [the] nasal spray may reduce barriers to rapid treatment of anaphylaxis." She added: "Neffy provides an important treatment option, and addresses an unmet need." Neffy will initially be available in the USA. It is likely to be rolled out worldwide in the coming years.
Sources:
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2024/08/12/nasal-spray-neffy-offers-allergy-patients-easier-to-use-epinephrine-option/
- https://www.foxbusiness.com/healthcare/fda-moves-needle-approves-first-nasal-spray-treatment-severe-allergic-reactions
- https://www.livescience.com/health/medicine-drugs/fda-approves-1st-needle-free-alternative-to-epipens
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