Adrenaline nasal spray becomes available in Italy for anaphylactic shock

A new needle-free adrenaline nasal spray has been released in Italy as a life-saving alternative to traditional auto-injectors for treating anaphylactic shock. Announced during the 38th national congress of the Italian Society of Allergology, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (SIAAIC), the device aims to address delays in treatment caused by the fear of needles.

Medical experts note that needle phobia can lead to significant delays; some patients may wait up to nine minutes to administer treatment, which can be fatal. Currently, only 7% of adults and 21% of children receive adrenaline in a timely manner. The nasal spray offers comparable efficacy and speed to intramuscular injections while providing advantages in shelf life and storage.

At present, the device is indicated for individuals weighing over 30 kilograms. A pediatric formulation has already received approval from the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) and is expected to be available in the spring. The rollout follows prior approvals by the U.S. FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).