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DO YOU SUFFER FROM ANAPHYLAXIS?

Short posting today.  Too much football on TV, plus I just ordered a 16 Pro iPhone, and have several things to complete to make sure that the phone is delivered before we leave on our next trip.  My SONY camera broke down on our previous journey, and I've decided to skip buying a new one, instead using this 16 Pro as my only camera. 

Anaphylaxis is the name of the allergic symptom to insect stings, foods, latex, physical exercise and medications.  Usually, treatment has to be immediate, and the only answer has been an intravenous epinephrine injection.  One normally carries an epipen, an epinephrine autoinjector.  Some carry two.  Many people are affected by this potential malady, but hesitate usage because they fear any kind of injector.  

Worldwide, up to 2% of the population is estimated to experience anaphylaxis at some point in life.  I'm allergic to crustaceans, and should have with me an EpiPen, but don't for two reasons.  My ailment seems now to be not so serious, and I hate injections, especially if I need to do this myself.  The good news for me is that this condition mostly occurs in young people and females.  Plus, 99.7% of people hospitalized with anaphylaxis in the U.S. survive.

But for those vulnerable, I have good news.  

  • There is now a nasal spray recently approved by the FDA.  Works in five minutes.
  • There are some side-effects, but the benefit of a potentially life-saving device far outweighs those risks.  
  • An EpiPen is around six inches long, while the new spray is easier to carry.  
  • This new product co-payment is $25 with insurance, but $199 for those with none or deductibility minimums.  
  • Neffy, the product name, will be available by the end of September or October.
  • This injector will provide a single-dose into a nostril.  You are advised to carry two of them, with the second application into same nostril after five minutes if necessary.
  • Neffy can be carried for 30 months.
  • You are, of course, asked to seek immediate medical treatment after your self dose.  Still to come is an under-the-tongue (sublingual) strip containing epinephrine. 
  • Positive effects have been shown with this future product, to be called Anaphlym, to become available in a little more than a year, but possibly early 2026.

In 2018, the Allergy & Asthma Network surveyed patients:

  • 91% of study participants would consider using an epinephrine nasal spray instead of an auto-injector;
  • nearly 72% would prefer using an epinephrine nasal spray instead of an auto-injector;
  • 82% would prefer needle-free epinephrine instead of an injection;
  • 80% would be more likely to carry a smaller and easier to conceal epinephrine product;
  • 43% disliked the idea of injecting a needle to administer epinephrine.

Typhoon Bebinca is now headed straight for Shanghai.  Landfall is expected on Sunday.

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