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What is neffy®?
neffy® is an adrenaline nasal spray device which contains the medication adrenaline (epinephrine).
This adrenaline device contains no needle.
ADRENALINE IS LIFE SAVING medication for someone experiencing a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Adrenaline is the first line emergency treatment for anaphylaxis. Adrenaline devices are designed to be used by anyone in an emergency.
Adrenaline is a natural hormone made by our bodies but in anaphylaxis, our body cannot make and release enough adrenaline to reverse the potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. For this reason, we need to give more adrenaline through a device such as neffy®.
neffy® contains one dose of adrenaline.
What doses are available for neffy®?
The dose of neffy® is worked out by weight. The weight guidelines for neffy® are different to those for adrenaline injectors. For the 1mg neffy® dose, there is also an age restriction – the child must be 4 years and over.
Weight guidelines for adrenaline devices can also be found on the bottom of ASCIA Action Plans.
neffy® 1mg
Weight range 15kg to less than 30kg. Must be age 4 years and over.
neffy® 2mg
Weight range 30kg and over.
There were no children under the age of 4 years included in the neffy® registration studies so neffy® is not approved for use in this age group.
How is neffy® packaged?
neffy® comes in a cardboard box (green colouring on box for 1mg and blue colouring on box for 2mg).
Each cardboard box contains 2 neffy® devices, each in their own blister pack with instructions on how to use neffy®. If you only buy one neffy® then the pharmacist will remove one neffy® from the box before selling it to you.
A neffy® carry case can be purchased from the pharmacy at an extra cost.
To fit 2 neffy® devices in the carry case, each neffy® must be removed from the blister pack. There are also instructions on how to use neffy® inside the carry case.
What does neffy® look like?
On neffy® you will see
- The label on neffy® has 1mg written in green or 2mg written in blue.
- An expiry date
- A batch number
- Unlike adrenaline injectors, there is no viewing window to check if the solution inside is still clear
- After neffy® has been used, the plunger is pushed up
1mg neffy® before use
(plunger is down)
1mg neffy® when being given
1mg neffy® after use
(plunger has been pushed up)
How to give neffy®
Instructions on how to give neffy® can be found
- on the box
- on the peel off tab of the blister pack that neffy® comes in
- in the neffy® carry case
- via QR code on ASCIA Action Plans or the ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis which takes you to the ASCIA website where there are instructions on how to use neffy®
DO NOT test or pre-spray
Hold with your thumb on the bottom of the plunger and a finger on either side of the nozzle .
Place nozzle into nostril until fingers touch nose.
For children with smaller noses your fingers may not reach the nose.
Keep nozzle straight in the nose, pointed towards forehead.
Do not angle the nasal spray to the side or middle walls inside the nose.
Press HARD on the plunger. It will click and stay up which means neffy® spray has been given.
After pressing hard on plunger, remove neffy® from nose (there is no need to hold it in place after the dose is given).
There is no need to sniff or breathe in.
Remember: Place neffy® in the nose, press and up it goes
How to store neffy®
neffy® should be stored:
At room temperature below 25 degrees.
Do not store in the fridge as there’s a risk it may accidently freeze. If frozen, the device will not spray. Allow neffy® to thaw (defrost) for at least one hour at room temperature. It should not be used if the contents are still frozen or not completely thawed.
If someone is experiencing anaphylaxis and neffy® is frozen, use another adrenaline device if available. Do not wait for neffy® to thaw before treating anaphylaxis.
Freezing does not affect its shelf life.
There are no special requirements to protect neffy® from direct sunlight. However, care should be taken to store neffy® where the temperature stays below 25° C.
In an unlocked, easy to get to place (out of reach of small children).
If neffy® is accidentally exposed to temperatures up to 50°C for a short time, it can still be used.
Please contact CSL Medical Information 1800 642 865 for further information.
neffy® expiry dates
From when it is made overseas, neffy® usually expires after:
- 24 months for 1 mg dose
- 30 months for 2 mg dose
The expiry date can be found on the neffy® box, on the neffy® blister pack and on the neffy® device.
Expired neffy® devices do not work as well as in-date devices and should not be relied upon to treat anaphylaxis. However, an expired neffy® should still be given if it is the only adrenaline device available.
Make a note of when your neffy® devices are due to expire and book an appointment for a new prescription with your health professional.
If you use your neffy® make sure you replace it as soon as possible.
neffy® trainer devices
It is important to know how to give neffy® in an emergency. Using a neffy® trainer is a great way to do this. The trainer contains no medication and can be reused (unlike the actual neffy® used in an emergency which contains only one dose of adrenaline and cannot be reused).
If your child is at risk of anaphylaxis, practising with them could help you think about how you may need to hold them if you had to give neffy® in an emergency. It may also help the child understand what would happen if they had anaphylaxis.
It is important to store the trainer away from the real neffy®. The neffy® trainer device is dark grey. The real neffy® device which contains adrenaline is white.
You can mark the trainer with tape or a sticker to highlight that it is not the real neffy® containing adrenaline.
It is very easy to press the plunger on the neffy® trainer. This is different to the real neffy® where the plunger must be pressed HARD.
The neffy® trainer device must be cleaned if it has been put in a person’s nose before putting it in another person’s nose. This will reduce the chance of spreading infection. It should be wiped with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Allow the alcohol to dry before putting the neffy® trainer in the nose to avoid irritation.
If you are concerned about spreading infection from nose to nose when using the neffy® trainer, you may choose to put the neffy® trainer on the outside of the nose instead. Make sure you still point the neffy® trainer in the correct direction. Remember when using the real neffy® it must be inserted into the nose.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
neffy® frequently asked questions
Using an adrenaline device FAQ
Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia answers common questions about using an adrenaline (epinephrine) devices such as Anapen® or EpiPen®.
Buying an adrenaline device FAQ
Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia answers common questions about buying an adrenaline (epinephrine) device such as Anapen® or EpiPen®.
Learn more about adrenaline and adrenaline devices
Adrenaline devices
Learn about how adrenaline works and how to store and use adrenaline devices like Anapen® and EpiPen®.
Anapen®
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EpiPen®
Learn about EpiPen®, how adrenaline works, how to use EpiPen® and more.
Preparing for an emergency
Learn more about preparing for a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and what to expect if you or a loved one experiences anaphylaxis.