100% of people would rather not be using adrenaline auto injectors with needles! In fact we all hate the needles, it’s just added stress to the whole situation.
I just made up that statistic, but help me prove it. I’m asking all those with severe allergies to answer me one question:
Would your rather inject adrenaline or use a nasal spray?
If you have time, please pop your answer below as a comment. Which would you prefer to use if you were having an anaphylactic reaction:
- Adrenaline auto injector? or
- Epinephrine nasal spray?
- Sublingual strip under your tongue?
Adrenaline and epinephrine are the same drug, just different names.
I think it’s going to be pretty obvious, we would all much rather NOT have to carry around bulky cumbersome adrenaline auto injector pens.
The current adrenaline auto injector products in the UK
We have a number of products available for those living with life threatening allergies, including Epipen, Emerade and Jext in the UK. I’ve used all three and they are fundamentally the same type of product.
There are other products in America, such as Anapen
FDA delays approval of epi nasal spray
In recent news, the introduction of a new epinephrine nasal spray was turned down at the final stages of approval as the FDA have asked for further trials to be done. It seems confusing because it was almost a done deal, yet now the company Neffy will need to complete a new study into whether the spray will help those with rhinitis and runny noses. This will take the company at least another six months and is very disappointing news for those of us who are at risk of anaphylaxis.
Check out “Why FDA rejection of epi nasal spray was a shocker” here.
Why has this happened?
Dr. Jay Lieberman, an allergist-immunologist at University of Tennessee Health Science Center, said studies show neffy should work comparably to auto-injectors during allergic reactions. So what’s the problem? It is coming soon though guys, in our lifetime! An end to the fear of injecting adrenaline.
Are adrenaline auto injectors fit for purpose?
I’ve long believed that the adrenaline auto injectors we have are outdated and not really fit for purpose. Of course they work, and give a vital life line to those living with life threatening allergies. But there is a lot wrong with them…
- They are old fashioned, rather large and out dated devices when technology exists to make this much easier for those living with severe allergies.
- People don’t like using needles and many delay injecting or don’t use at all
- They are large and bulky, carrying two needs a big bag
- The device design has not really changed since their invention, for men in the army at risk of chemical warfare
- I worry that needle length is not sufficient for many women’s thigh to fascia depth. Read Why all women at risk of anaphylaxis should get a thigh ultrasound.
When you need to carry two adrenaline auto injectors and other medication with you, it’s a trial to add to the fear that follows us everywhere.
We need choice for the allergic community
As well as this new nasal spray, there is another new product coming online soon, developed by Aquestive, which is in the form of an under-the-tongue epinephrine film.
Let’s have our say, what would you rather use? Please share your comments below…
Thanks Ruth. Interesting post.
Thanks Samina, lovely to hear from you. Hope you’re well lovely