United States: Those diagnosed with Anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction, now have another weapon to fight it after drug regulators and the FDA gave their approval to another treatment option.
More about the news
The FDA issued a clearance to ARS Pharmaceuticals for neffy, epinephrine nasal spray for the treatment of allergic reactions in otherwise healthy adults and pediatric patients with a weight of 66 pounds or more.
The decision assists patients in transitioning from the most dominantly utilized needle to the brand-named auto-injector EpiPen.
According to the associate director of the Division of Pulmonology, Allergy, and Critical Care in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, “Today’s approval provides the first epinephrine product for the treatment of anaphylaxis that is not administered by injection,” as Fox Business News reported.
She stated Anaphylaxis is fatal, particularly for children, who may delay or avoid treatment due to fear of injections.
“The availability of epinephrine nasal spray may reduce barriers to rapid treatment of Anaphylaxis. As a result, neffy provides an important treatment option and addresses an unmet need.”
Know more about Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is regarded as life-threatening, and patients should rush to get medical assistance as soon as possible.
The serious, potentially fatal reaction arises when a person’s immune system overacts to an otherwise harmless compound. Foods, medicines, and stings from some insects can also lead to Anaphylaxis.
These symptoms may begin as soon as a couple of minutes after exposure, and the manifestations include a skin rash, swelling and itch, vomiting, dyspnoea, and loss of consciousness.
As the FDA stated, “Epinephrine is the only life-saving treatment for anaphylaxis and has previously only been available for patients as an injection,” Fox Business News reported.
After these, the patients are advised to seek further medical attention even after being administered epinephrine.
More about EpiPens
EpiPens are manufactured by Viatris, as the company’s official website states. FOX 5 Atlanta said the company used to be known as Mylan.
The same company recently agreed to pay USD 264 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit over skyrocketing EpiPen prices.
Some time ago, the EpiPen expenses grabbed attention when two-pack costs reached a whopping price tag of USD 600 in certain regions for those people without insurance back $600.