Neffy vs EpiPen: What Australian Parents and Carers Need to Know

 

 

Reviewed: 17 April 2026

Australia now has its first needle-free option for treating anaphylaxis. Neffy — an adrenaline nasal spray developed by ARS Pharmaceuticals and distributed in Australia by CSL Seqirus — was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in December 2025 and became available on private prescription from February 2026.

For parents, carers, teachers, and anyone responsible for someone with a known allergy, the questions are coming thick and fast: Is neffy as effective as an EpiPen? Can children use it? Does it work if your nose is blocked? Do you still need a prescription? And what does this mean for your anaphylaxis action plan?

This guide answers all of those questions — plainly and accurately, based on current Australian guidelines and TGA-approved information.

What Australians Need to Know About Neffy

Australia has one of the highest rates of anaphylaxis hospital admissions in the developed world. Between 2015 and 2020, Australian public hospitals recorded a 51% increase in emergency department presentations and a 35% increase in hospitalisations due to anaphylaxis. Against that backdrop, neffy represents the first significant new option for adrenaline administration in Australia in more than 30 years.

Neffy does not replace the EpiPen as the gold standard treatment in Australian guidelines — it is an additional option. The most important thing has not changed: in anaphylaxis, adrenaline must be given immediately. Whether that is via nasal spray or auto-injector is secondary to the speed of action.

How Neffy Works

Neffy contains adrenaline (epinephrine) — the same life-saving medication found in an EpiPen. The difference is delivery. Instead of an injection into the outer thigh, neffy is sprayed into one nostril. The adrenaline is absorbed through the nasal lining, which has a rich blood supply, and enters the bloodstream.

Neffy contains an ingredient called Intravail (dodecyl-maltoside) — a safe, food-grade additive that opens cells in the nasal lining to enhance adrenaline absorption. Research trials showed that neffy's pharmacokinetic profile — how quickly the drug enters and moves through the body — is comparable to, and in some cases faster than, injection-based adrenaline products.

Once administered, adrenaline works in the same critical ways regardless of delivery method — opening airways, raising blood pressure, reducing swelling in the throat and face, and relieving wheezing and breathing distress.

How to Use Neffy — Step by Step

Watch Samantha demonstrate how neffy works and when to use it — including what the device looks like and the key steps in a real emergency situation.

1. Act immediately at the first signs of anaphylaxis. Do not wait for symptoms to progress before using neffy.
2. Remove the cap from the neffy device.
3. Insert the tip gently into one nostril — hold it straight, not angled.
4. Press the plunger firmly until you hear a click and the plunger shortens and stays in place. This confirms the dose has been delivered.
5. Do not sniff during or after administration. The adrenaline absorbs through the nasal lining — sniffing pushes it into the throat where absorption is less effective.
6. Call 000 immediately after giving the dose. Anaphylaxis always requires emergency medical care.
7. If symptoms continue after 5 minutes, give a second dose into the same nostril. A second neffy or an EpiPen can be used if no second neffy is available.
8. Lay the person flat unless they are having difficulty breathing — in that case allow them to sit upright. Do not allow them to stand up suddenly.

Neffy vs EpiPen — The Honest Comparison

Feature	Neffy	EpiPen
Delivery method	Nasal spray	Auto-injector (outer thigh)
Needle required	No	Yes
TGA approved in Australia	Yes — December 2025	Yes — long established
Australian guideline status	Approved option — not yet first-line	Gold standard first-line treatment
Age approved	4 years and over, 15 kg+	EpiPen Jr from 15 kg; EpiPen from 30 kg
PBS listed	Not yet — application under review	Yes — subsidised
Private prescription cost	~$194 for two doses	Varies — subsidised on PBS
Works with blocked nose	Requires at least one clear nostril	Not applicable
Ease of use under stress	Simple — one motion, no needle	Requires correct technique and confidence
Suitable for needle anxiety	Yes — significant advantage	Can be a barrier for some
Expiry	24 months (1 mg) / 30 months (2 mg)	Check device — typically 12–18 months

Who Is Neffy Most Suited To?

Neffy is not a replacement for the EpiPen for everyone — but it is a genuinely better option for some people. The decision should always be made with a doctor or allergist and reflected in an updated anaphylaxis action plan.

Neffy may be particularly well suited to:

• People with significant needle anxiety — for whom the barrier to using an EpiPen in a real emergency is a genuine concern
• Teachers, childcare workers, and coaches — for whom administering an injection to someone else under pressure may be difficult
• Older children aged 4 and over who are beginning to manage their own anaphylaxis response
• Neurodiverse individuals for whom needle-based procedures cause significant distress — a nasal spray may be considerably easier to administer

What About the Anaphylaxis Action Plan?

Every person at risk of anaphylaxis in Australia should have an ASCIA Anaphylaxis Action Plan — a document written and signed by their doctor or allergist that specifies their triggers, the signs of a reaction, and exactly which device to use and when.

If you are considering switching to neffy or adding it as a second device, this change must be reflected in an updated action plan before it is used. Do not simply swap devices without speaking to your doctor. The action plan is the document that schools, childcare centres, coaches, and first aiders will follow in an emergency — it needs to be accurate.

Storage — Why It Matters in an Emergency

In a genuine anaphylaxis emergency, seconds count. People lose critical time searching for medication that is not where it should be — in a bag that got left in the car, in a kit that is not organised, or in a drawer at home when the reaction happens at the park.

Having a dedicated, organised space for your anaphylaxis device — alongside your other first aid supplies — means you reach for one kit and everything is there. Both the Assurance Family First Aid Kit and the Outdoor First Aid Kit include a personal medication space specifically designed for this purpose.

Kit	Personal Medication Space	Best For	Shop
Family First Aid Kit	✓ Fits neffy or EpiPen alongside standard supplies	Home, school drop-off, everyday family use	Shop Now
4WD Outdoor Kit	✓ Personal medication space — ideal for remote travel	Camping, outdoor activities, remote and regional travel	Shop Now

Note: Assurance first aid kits are designed to store personal medications. Neffy and EpiPen devices are not included and require a prescription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Be Ready Before You Need It

Neffy is a genuine step forward for anaphylaxis management in Australia — particularly for anyone for whom needle-based treatment has been a barrier. But the fundamentals have not changed. Know the signs. Carry your device. Store it properly. Act immediately at the first signs of a reaction.

Samantha suggests one of the following — choose what suits your audience best:

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References

1. Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR) — Guideline 9.2.7: First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis — anzcor.org
2. Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia — Neffy FAQ — allergyfacts.org.au
3. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) — Neffy ARTG Listing — tga.gov.au
4. CSL Seqirus — Neffy Approved for Anaphylaxis Treatment in Australia (February 2026) — newsroom.csl.com
5. Better Health Channel (Victoria) — Anaphylaxis — betterhealth.vic.gov.au
6. Australian Government Department of Health — Allergies and Anaphylaxis — health.gov.au