A major advance in the treatment of anaphylaxis has arrived with the launch of EURneffy® 2 mg, the first needle-free nasal adrenaline spray now available for prescription in the UK.
Developed by ALK, EURneffy® offers adults and children weighing 30 kg and above a portable, ready-to-use alternative to adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs). The new treatment delivers rapid absorption of adrenaline through the nasal lining, providing a life-saving option for people living with severe allergies, including those with needle anxiety.
Anaphylaxis: a growing challenge
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and can occur within minutes of exposure to triggers such as insect stings, foods, or medicines. It is potentially life-threatening and requires immediate medical intervention. Each year, an estimated 2 to 8 out of every 100,000 people experience anaphylaxis, with around 1 in 300 affected at some point in their lifetime. Globally, incidence rates range from 50 to 112 cases per 100,000 people annually, and among children the rates can be as high as 761 per 100,000 .
Hospital admissions for anaphylaxis have more than doubled over the past two decades across the UK, and the number of children affected continues to rise significantly .
Adrenaline remains the recommended first-line treatment, but evidence shows that many patients delay or struggle to use their devices correctly. Research indicates that only about half of people with severe allergies carry their auto-injector regularly, and among those who experience a severe reaction, more than half do not use their device even when it could have been beneficial. Fear of needles, uncertainty about symptoms, and lack of confidence in how to use AAIs are common barriers
A simpler, more accessible solution
EURneffy® aims to address these barriers by providing a needle-free, pocket-sized option that can be administered quickly and easily. The device has a longer shelf life and is more temperature-stable than existing injectors, which could reduce replacement frequency and provide potential cost savings for health services.
Dr Shuaib Nasser, Consultant Allergist and Respiratory Physician at Cambridge University Hospitals, said:
“With EURneffy® now available for prescription, we can offer an alternative, needle-free method of adrenaline delivery that may be easier for patients and families to manage. The ready-to-use and portable design may help address some of the practical and psychological barriers to consistently carrying and using adrenaline auto-injectors.”
Clinical data from more than 700 participants have shown that EURneffy® provides adrenaline exposure comparable to AAIs, even when patients had nasal congestion. In the first real-world analysis from the United States, nearly nine in ten allergic reactions were successfully treated with a single dose of EURneffy®, and only one in ten required a second dose.
Lakshmi Nicholson, Associate Medical Director UK and ROI at ALK, said:
“Research shows that even though people know adrenaline can save their life, many hesitate to use it in an emergency. EURneffy® is simple to use, compact, and addresses many of the real-world challenges people face. Its availability marks an important milestone for those living with severe allergies.”
Addressing unmet needs
Studies show that 84% of individuals use an adrenaline auto-injector incorrectly, often failing to hold the device in place long enough or not applying enough pressure to activate it. More than half of parents with children prescribed AAIs report fear of using them, largely due to concerns about pain or making mistakes .
EURneffy® provides an opportunity to overcome these practical and psychological barriers, giving healthcare professionals a new tool to support patients and improve outcomes when every second counts.
Approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in July 2025, EURneffy® represents a significant step forward in the management of anaphylaxis. Its needle-free design, portability, and simplicity of use may help transform how patients and caregivers respond in life-threatening allergic emergencies.