Indications and usage▾
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Neffy is indicated for emergency treatment of type I allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in adult and pediatric patients aged 4 years and older who weigh 15 kg or greater. Neffy is an alpha and beta-adrenergic receptor agonist indicated for emergency treatment of type I allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in adult and pediatric patients 4 years of age and older who weigh 15 kg or greater. ( 1 )
Dosage and administration▾
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dosage for patients 4 years of age and older who weigh 15 kg or greater is based on weight. Neffy is for nasal administration. ( 2.1 ) Recommended Dosage Patient's Weight Dosage 30 kg or Greater One spray of neffy 2 mg 15 kg to less than 30 kg One spray of neffy 1 mg In absence of clinical improvement or if symptoms worsen after initial treatment, administer a second dose of neffy in the same nostril with a new nasal spray starting 5 minutes after the first dose. ( 2.1 ) Advise patients when to seek emergency medical assistance for close monitoring of the anaphylactic episode and in the event further treatment is required. ( 2.1 ) It is recommended that patients are prescribed and have immediate access to two neffy nasal sprays at all times. See full prescribing information for administration instructions. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage for patients aged 4 years and older who weigh 15 kg or greater is based on weight and the dosage is provided in Table 1. For nasal administration [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . Table 1: Recommended Dosage of Neffy Based on Patient's Weight Patients Weight Dosage 30 kg or Greater One spray of neffy 2 mg 15 kg to less than 30 kg One spray of neffy 1 mg In the absence of clinical improvement or if symptoms worsen after the initial treatment, a second dose of neffy may be administered in the same nostril with a second nasal spray starting 5 minutes after the first dose. Advise patients when to seek emergency medical assistance for close monitoring of the anaphylactic episode and in the event further treatment is required. It is recommended that patients are prescribed and have immediate access to two neffy nasal sprays at all times. 2.2 Administration Instructions Neffy is for nasal use only. Each neffy nasal spray is for single use and delivers the entire dose upon activation. Do not prime or attempt to reuse neffy for more than one administration. Administer neffy by inserting the nozzle of the nasal spray fully into one nostril until fingers touch the nose (see Figure 1 ). Hold the nasal spray straight into the nose - do not angle the nasal spray to the inside septum or outer wall of the nose as some medication may be lost. Press the plunger firmly to activate. Avoid sniffing during and after administration. If a second dose of neffy is needed, administer a new nasal spray into the same nostril starting 5 minutes after the first dose (see Figure 1 ). More than two sequential doses of epinephrine should be administered under direct medical supervision. Refer patients and caregivers to the Instructions for Use for detailed administration instructions. Figure 1: Administration of Neffy If neffy is frozen and is needed in an emergency, do not wait to thaw, seek emergency medical care immediately [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16) ]. Figure 1
Contraindications▾
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None ( 4 )
Warnings and precautions▾
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Absorption of neffy may be affected by underlying structural and anatomical nasal conditions. ( 5.1 ) Administer with caution in patients with heart disease; may aggravate angina pectoris or produce ventricular arrhythmias. ( 5.2 ) May aggravate certain coexisting conditions. ( 5.2 ) The presence of a sulfite in this product should not deter use. ( 5.3 ) 5.1 Potential Altered Absorption of Neffy in Patients with Underlying Structural or Anatomical Nasal Conditions Clinical pharmacology studies with neffy included subjects with history of allergic rhinitis, but did not include subjects with underlying structural and anatomical nasal conditions (e.g., polyps, history of nasal fractures or injuries, or history of nasal surgery). Absorption of neffy may be affected by underlying structural and anatomical nasal conditions. Consider use of other epinephrine products given by other routes of administration for patients with underlying structural or anatomical nasal conditions. 5.2 Risks Associated with Use of Epinephrine in Certain Coexisting Conditions Some patients may be at greater risk for developing adverse reactions after epinephrine administration. Despite these concerns, it should be recognized that the presence of these conditions is not a contraindication to epinephrine administration in an acute, life-threatening situation. Therefore, patients with these conditions, and/or any other person who might be in a position to administer neffy to a patient experiencing anaphylaxis should be carefully instructed in regard to the circumstances under which epinephrine should be used. Epinephrine should be administered with caution to patients who have heart disease, including patients with cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, or hypertension. In such patients, or in patients who are on drugs that may sensitize the heart to arrhythmias, epinephrine may precipitate or aggravate angina pectoris, as well as produce ventricular arrhythmias [see Drug Interactions (7) and Adverse Reactions (6) ] . Epinephrine can temporarily exacerbate the underlying condition or increase symptoms in patients with the following: hyperthyroidism, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, renal impairment. Epinephrine should be administered with caution in patients with these conditions, including elderly patients and pregnant women. 5.3 Allergic Reactions Associated with Sulfite Epinephrine is the preferred treatment for serious allergic or other emergency situations even though neffy contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite that may in other products cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms or life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible persons. The alternatives to using epinephrine in a life-threatening situation may not be satisfactory. The presence of a sulfite(s) in neffy should not deter administration of the drug for treatment of serious allergic or other emergency situations.
Drug interactions▾
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Neffy may alter nasal mucosa for up to 2 weeks after administration and increase systemic absorption of nasal products, including neffy. ( 7.1 ) Cardiac glycosides, diuretics or anti-arrhythmics: observe for development of cardiac arrhythmias. ( 7.2 ) Tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, levothyroxine sodium, certain antihistamines, and catechol-O-methyl transferase inhibitors may potentiate effects of epinephrine. ( 7.3 ) Beta-adrenergic blocking drugs antagonize cardiostimulating and bronchodilating effects of epinephrine. ( 7.4 ) Alpha-adrenergic blocking drugs antagonize vasoconstricting and hypertensive effects of epinephrine. ( 7.4 ) Ergot alkaloids may reverse the pressor effects of epinephrine. ( 7.4 ) 7.1 Potential Increased Exposure of Nasal Spray Drugs Neffy may alter nasal mucosa for up to 2 weeks after administration, and thus may increase systemic absorption of nasal products, including neffy, potentially increasing the risk of adverse reactions associated with these products. 7.2 Drugs Increasing Risk of Cardiac Arrhythmias Patients who receive epinephrine while concomitantly taking cardiac glycosides, diuretics, or anti-arrhythmics should be observed carefully for the development of cardiac arrhythmias [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Adverse Reactions (6) ] . 7.3 Drugs Potentiating Effects of Epinephrine The effects of epinephrine may be potentiated by tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, levothyroxine sodium, certain antihistamines, notably chlorpheniramine, tripelennamine, and diphenhydramine, and catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors such as entacapone. 7.4 Drugs Antagonizing Effects of Epinephrine The cardiostimulating and bronchodilating effects of epinephrine are antagonized by beta- adrenergic blocking drugs, such as propranolol. The vasoconstricting and hypertensive effects of epinephrine are antagonized by alpha- adrenergic blocking drugs, such as phentolamine. Ergot alkaloids may also reverse the pressor effects of epinephrine.
Adverse reactions▾
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Risks Associated with Use of Epinephrine in Certain Coexisting Conditions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Allergic Reactions Associated with Sulfite [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Most common adverse reactions are: Adults (incidence ≥ 2%): nasal discomfort, headache, rhinorrhea, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and throat irritation. ( 6 ) Pediatric patients 4 years of age and older who weigh 15 kg or greater (incidence ≥10%): nasal discomfort, nasal congestion, paresthesia, rhinorrhea, sneezing, upper respiratory tract congestion, epistaxis, rhinalgia, nasal dryness, dry throat, fatigue, and feeling jittery. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact ARS Pharmaceuticals Operations, Inc. at 1-877-MY-NEFFY (877-696-3339) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. Adverse Reactions with Neffy in Adult Subjects The safety of neffy 2 mg is based on four clinical pharmacology studies in 175 healthy adults and adults with type I allergy without anaphylaxis, who did not have structural or anatomical nasal conditions [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2 , 12.3) ] . The four clinical pharmacology studies were designed to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles of one dose of neffy 2 mg sprayed into one nostril or two doses of neffy 2 mg sprayed into either the same or opposite nostril, administered 10 minutes apart, with PK and PD profiles of one or two dose(s) of epinephrine injection administered intramuscularly. The common adverse reactions that occurred with neffy 2 mg after one and two dose(s) are listed in Table 2. Table 2: Adverse Reactions with One or Two Dose(s) of Neffy with Incidence Greater than or Equal to 2% in Adults [Studies 1, 2, 3, and 4] Adverse Reaction Data include subjects with nasal allergen challenge induced rhinitis Neffy 2 mg One Dose Neffy 2 mg Two Doses Two nasal doses of neffy 2 mg were administered 10 minutes apart N = 134 The trials used a crossover design and therefore the total number of subjects do not match the number of unique subjects (n = 175) N = 85 Nasal discomfort 13 (10%) 11 (13%) Headache 8 (6%) 15 (18%) Rhinorrhea 4 (3%) 6 (7%) Dizziness 4 (3%) 2 (2%) Nausea 4 (3%) 2 (2%) Vomiting 3 (2%) 2 (2%) Throat irritation 2 (2%) 16 (19%) Feeling jittery 1 (1%) 9 (11%) Abdominal pain 1 (1%) 3 (4%) Tremor 0 (0%) 7 (8%) Nasal pruritus 0 (0%) 3 (4%) Sneezing 0 (0%) 3 (4%) Gingival pain 0 (0%) 3 (4%) Hypoesthesia oral 0 (0%) 3 (4%) Nasal Congestion 0 (0%) 2 (2%) Adverse Reactions with Neffy in Pediatric Subjects 4 Years of Age and Older Weighing 15 kg or Greater A single-arm clinical pharmacology study (Study 5) in pediatric subjects 4 to 17 years of age who weigh 15 kg or greater with type I allergy without anaphylaxis was conducted to assess the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) of neffy 1 mg and 2 mg [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2 , 12.3) ] . Pediatric subjects (n=21) who weigh 30 kg or greater received one nasal dose of neffy 2 mg and common adverse reactions reported in these subjects include nasal discomfort (19%), intranasal paresthesia (19%), rhinorrhea (19%), sneezing (14%), epistaxis (10%), rhinalgia (10%), paresthesia (10%), fatigue (10%), and feeling jittery (10%). Pediatric subjects (n=21) who weigh 15 to less than 30 kg received one nasal dose of neffy 1 mg and common adverse reactions reported in these subjects include nasal congestion (19%), upper respiratory tract congestion (14%), dry throat (10%), nasal dryness (10%), and paresthesia (10%). Adverse Reactions from Postapproval Use of Epinephrine Products The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of epinephrine. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cardiovascular : angina, arrhythmias (including fatal ventricular fibrillation), cerebral hemorrhage, hypertension, pallor, palpitations, tachyarrhythmia, tachycardia, vasoconstriction, ventricular ectopy, and stress cardiomyopathy Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders : transient hyperglycemia, sweating Neurological : disorientation, impaired memory, panic, psychomotor agitation, sleepiness, tingling, weakness Psychiatric : anxiety, apprehensiveness, restlessness Respiratory : respiratory difficulties
Use in pregnancy▾
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Prolonged experience with epinephrine use in pregnant women over several decades, based on published literature, have not identified a drug associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with anaphylaxis, and treatment with epinephrine should not be delayed (see Clinical Considerations ). In animal reproduction studies, epinephrine administered by the subcutaneous route to pregnant rabbits, mice, and hamsters, during the period of organogenesis, resulted in adverse developmental effects (including gastroschisis, and embryonic lethality, and delayed skeletal ossification) at doses approximately 2 times the maximum recommended daily intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous dose (see Data ). The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the United States general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and Embryo/Fetal Risk During pregnancy, anaphylaxis can be catastrophic and can lead to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and permanent central nervous system damage or death in the mother and, more commonly, in the fetus or neonate. Treatment of anaphylaxis during pregnancy should not be delayed. Data Animal Data In an embryofetal development study with pregnant rabbits dosed during the period of organogenesis (on days 3 to 5, 6 to 7 or 7 to 9 of gestation), epinephrine caused teratogenic effects (including gastroschisis) at doses approximately 15 times the maximum recommended intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous dose (on a mg/m 2 basis at a maternal subcutaneous dose of 1.2 mg/kg/day for two to three days). Animals treated on days 6 to 7 had decreased number of implantations. In an embryofetal development study, pregnant mice were administered epinephrine (0.1 to 10 mg/kg/day) on Gestation Days 6 to 15. Teratogenic effects, embryonic lethality, and delays in skeletal ossification were observed at approximately 3 times the maximum recommended intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous dose (on a mg/m 2 basis at maternal subcutaneous dose of 1 mg/kg/day for 10 days). These effects were not seen in mice at approximately 2 times the maximum recommended daily intramuscular or subcutaneous dose (on a mg/m 2 basis at a subcutaneous maternal dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day for 10 days). In an embryofetal development study with pregnant hamsters dosed during the period of organogenesis from gestation days 7 to 10, epinephrine produced reductions in litter size and delayed skeletal ossification at doses approximately 2 times the maximum recommended intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous dose (on a mg/m 2 basis at a maternal subcutaneous dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day).
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