Nasal Epinephrine: A Novel Innovation In The Treatment Of Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is the most severe type of allergic reaction that can happen minutes after being exposed to an allergen, usually from food, medicine, or insect bites. It can be fatal and is nearly invariably unplanned. Airway blockage or cardiovascular collapse can be deadly outcomes of delayed clinical diagnosis and treatment. Anaphylactic reactions were defined as IgE-mediated responses. Anaphylaxis can manifest physically as moderate skin flushing and pruritus or as severe respiratory symptoms. The only first-line drug available for treating anaphylaxis is epinephrine, which can save lives. It quickly reverses almost all anaphylactic symptoms at therapeutic levels and stabilizes mast cells. After various studies and clinical trials, FDA approved the first epinephrine product for the treatment of anaphylaxis that is not administered by injection. The FDA approved the first nasal epinephrine for the emergency treatment of type I allergic reactions, including those that are life-threatening, like anaphylactic shock. This nasal epinephrine represents an innovative approach to the treatment of anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Traditionally, the administration of epinephrine, the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, has been through intramuscular injection, usually with an auto-injector like the EpiPen. However, the development of nasal epinephrine formulations offers a potentially easier and quicker method of administration, which could be particularly beneficial in emergency situations where rapid treatment is critical. This review explores novel nasal epinephrine sprays for anaphylaxis emergency care.