FDA Approves First Nasal Spray For Severe Allergic Reactions

A sign for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is displayed outside their offices in Silver Spring, Md., Dec. 10, 2020. U.S. health regulators on Monday, July 29, 2024, approved a first-of-it

U.S. health officials have given their approval for the first nasal spray designed to treat severe allergic reactions, providing an alternative to injectable products like the EpiPen. This new nasal spray, developed by ARS Pharmaceuticals Inc., has been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an emergency treatment in adults and older children who are experiencing life-threatening allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis. It is specifically intended for individuals weighing at least 66 pounds.

Anaphylaxis is a serious condition that arises when the body's immune system reacts suddenly and severely to a foreign substance, such as food, insect stings, or medications. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include hives, swelling, itching, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.