Neffy
Neffy (epinephrine) is the first nasal spray used to treat severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. It's approved for adults and children who are ages 4 and older who weigh at least 33 lbs. It's given as one spray into one nostril, and a second dose can be given in the same nostril 5 minutes later if needed. Each nasal spray only contains one ready-to-use dose. Potential side effects include nasal discomfort, throat irritation, and headache.
What is Neffy (epinephrine)?
What is Neffy (epinephrine) used for?
- Severe allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis)
How Neffy (epinephrine) works
Neffy (epinephrine) is a non-selective alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor agonist that acts on receptors (signaling proteins) throughout the body. In doing so, it keeps your blood pressure from dropping too low, raises your heart rate, and opens your lungs so you can breathe normally. It also helps with swelling, itching, rashes, hives, and stomach issues linked to an allergic reaction.
Drug facts
More on Neffy (epinephrine) essentials
Side effects of Neffy (epinephrine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Adults:
- Throat irritation (up to 19%)
- Headache (up to 18%)
- Nasal discomfort (up to 13%)
- Feeling jittery (up to 11%)
- Tremor (up to 8%)
- Runny nose (up to 7%)
Children:
- Nasal discomfort (19%)
- Numbness inside the nose (19%)
- Runny nose (19%)
- Nasal congestion (19%)
- Sneezing (14%)
- Upper respiratory tract congestion (14%)
Less Common Side Effects
Adults:
- Itchy nose
- Sneezing
- Stomach pain
- Gum pain
- Mouth numbness
- Stuffy nose
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Children:
- Nosebleed
- Nasal pain
- Tiredness
- Feeling jittery
- Dry throat
- Nasal dryness
Neffy (epinephrine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmias): fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, sweating
- High blood pressure: headache, chest pain, dizziness, blurry vision
More on Neffy (epinephrine) side effects
The following Neffy (epinephrine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Anxiety, nervousness
- Burning or tingling of the tongue, mouth, throat, or face
- Headache
- Irritation inside the nose or throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
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Pros and cons of Neffy (epinephrine)
Pros
- Good option for people who don't like using needles
- Comes in a single-dose spray that's ready to use
- Fits in your pocket or purse
Cons
- Might need to use a second dose
- Common side effects include nasal discomfort and headache
- Might not be the best option for people with certain nose conditions
Pharmacist tips for Neffy (epinephrine)
- Make sure to carry two Neffy (epinephrine) sprays with you at all times just in case you have an allergic reaction. Having two nasal spray bottles is important in case you need to give another dose.
- Review the symptoms of anaphylaxis with your prescriber so you know when to use Neffy (epinephrine).
- Neffy (epinephrine) can affect the lining of your nose for up to 2 weeks, which can change how your body absorbs nasal sprays. This could lead to more side effects, so check with your prescriber before using other nasal sprays.
- If your symptoms don't improve or worsen after the first dose of Neffy (epinephrine), you can take another dose by using a new nasal spray in the same nostril, waiting at least 5 minutes after the first dose. Don't give more than two doses without being supervised by a medical professional.
- Neffy (epinephrine) should only be sprayed into your nose. Avoid spraying it in your eyes or mouth since the medication won't work if used that way.
- Store Neffy (epinephrine) at room temperature, and avoid leaving it in places where the temperature can get too high or too low (e.g., car glove box).
How to use Neffy (epinephrine):
- Make sure you're comfortable with how to use Neffy (epinephrine) properly. Watch these training videos and contact your care team if you have any questions.
- Each Neffy (epinephrine) carton comes with two single-dose nasal sprays that are meant for one time use. Don't try to reuse the nasal spray after it's used, as there won't be enough medication left to treat your allergic reaction.
- Don't test or prime Neffy (epinephrine) nasal spray. The dose is ready to use, and spraying it beforehand will waste it.
- Use your right hand to spray Neffy (epinephrine) in the right nostril, or your left hand to spray it in your left nostril.
- Avoid sniffing during and after spraying a dose of Neffy (epinephrine) in your nose, as this can cause less of the medication to get absorbed.
- If you notice dripping from your nose after giving Neffy (epinephrine), it could mean you won't get the full dose. Be prepared to give a second dose after 5 minutes if your symptoms aren't improving or are getting worse.
Common questions about Neffy (epinephrine)
Studies show that Neffy (epinephrine) works as early as 1 minute. In a small study of children with severe food allergies, Neffy (epinephrine) worked within 16 minutes for half of the children after one dose. For the other half, it took longer than 16 minutes. The response time ranged from 1 minute to 90 minutes. Keep in mind that everyone responds differently to medications, so it's important to call 911 in addition to using this medication if you're having a severe allergic reaction.
Clinical studies have shown that Neffy (epinephrine) works just as well or better than the injection version of epinephrine to raise blood pressure and heart rate, which is important when treating severe allergic reactions. In addition, the amount of epinephrine in the blood after giving Neffy (epinephrine) was similar to those measured after giving an injectable form of epinephrine.
No, Neffy (epinephrine) isn't sold over the counter. You'll need to get a prescription from a healthcare professional to use it.
Each Neffy (epinephrine) nasal spray contains only one dose, and is only meant to be used one time. After using Neffy (epinephrine), throw it away. If you need to use a second dose, use a new nasal spray.
Yes. Make sure to check the expiration date on Neffy (epinephrine) and get a replacement before it expires. If you use it after the expiration date, it might not work well to treat your allergic reaction. This can delay your treatment, which can be life-threatening.
No. Keep Neffy (epinephrine) at room temperature. Don't freeze it because this will cause the medication to not spray out. It's okay if you accidentally leave Neffy (epinephrine) at high temperatures (up to 122°F) for a bit, but tell your prescriber if it's been longer.
Both Neffy (epinephrine) and epinephrine (EpiPen) work within minutes to treat emergency allergic reactions. But Neffy (epinephrine) comes as a single-dose nasal spray, while epinephrine (EpiPen) comes as prefilled syringes and single-dose auto-injectors that are injected into the thigh. Talk to your healthcare professional about additional differences between these medications.
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Risks and warnings for Neffy (epinephrine)
Neffy (epinephrine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Absorption problems in certain nasal conditions
- Risk factors: History of nasal polyps | History of a broken nose or other nose injury | History of surgery on the nose
Neffy (epinephrine) hasn't been studied in people with certain nasal conditions (like nasal polyps) or in people with a history of trauma to the nose. It's unclear how well the medication works in these situations, and it might not be absorbed correctly. Tell your prescriber if you have a history of any nasal conditions other than those due to allergies. They can help you decide whether Neffy (epinephrine) is a good option for you.
Worsening of certain health problems
- Risk factors: Abnormal heart rhythm | High blood pressure | Coronary artery disease | Overactive thyroid | Parkinson’s disease | High blood sugar | Kidney problems
Neffy (epinephrine) can make certain health problems worse. Tell your prescriber if you have a history of any of the medical conditions listed above. They'll talk to you about when to use Neffy (epinephrine) and how to handle any worsening of symptoms from other medical conditions.
Okay to use in people with sulfite allergy
Neffy (epinephrine) contains sulfites, which can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But if you're experiencing a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction and have an allergy to sulfites, you should still use Neffy (epinephrine) because it's a life-saving medication.
Neffy (epinephrine) dosage
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 nasal sprays of 2mg/0.1ml | 1 carton | $684.55 | $684.55 |
| 2 nasal sprays of 1mg/0.1ml | 1 carton | $610.74 | $610.74 |
Typical dosage for Neffy (epinephrine)
Neffy (epinephrine) is available as a carton containing two single-dose nasal sprays. The dose is based on your weight.
- 66 lbs or more: The typical dose is 2 mg.
- 33 lbs to 66 lbs: The typical dose is 1 mg.
Use 1 spray into one nostril when you feel an allergic reaction. Call 911.
If your symptoms don't improve or get worse, you can use a new nasal spray to repeat the dose in the same nostril at least 5 minutes after the first dose while waiting for help.
How much does Neffy (epinephrine) cost?
$610.74
What are alternatives to Neffy (epinephrine)?
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