Here's why school nurses need Texas law change to give new epi nasal spray to students
Children who have an allergy that could cause anaphylaxis symptoms such throat swelling and other severe reactions have long had to carry an epinephrine injectable pen with them or have one stored at school.
Those pens, known under the brand name EpiPen, can become unusable if subjected to heat like in a hot car in a Texas summer. They also have a one-year shelf life, which means families have to fill a new prescription each school year for hundreds of dollars and then supply it to the school nurse's office.
Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Neffy, a nasal spray form of epinephrine for people who weigh 66 pounds or more, and this month it approved a lower dose spray for children ages 4 and older who are between 33 pounds and 66 pounds.
This is great news, but families can't just hand over the nasal spray form to their school nurse. The Texas law allowing school nurses to give epinephrine uses the phrase "auto-injectors" when referring to delivering the drug to students who have a prescription for it. That means only the pen form.
Senate Bill 1619 and House Bill 2283 both aim to rectify that by simply taking out the phrase "auto-injector" and changing it to "delivery devices."
Allergy treatment takes girl from fear of cashews to no-worry birthday cake
"This is a happy bill," said Dr. Allen Lieberman of Austin Family Allergy and Asthma. "There is no downside to it."
This new nasal spray delivers medicine the same way as a nasal allergy spray like Flonase or the same way as Narcan for people experiencing an opioid overdose. You put the nozzle into one nostril and push down on the plunger to spray the medicine into the nose. It's easy to use, and people are less intimidated by it than by the idea of giving someone a shot.
The nasal spray offers the same medical results as the auto-injectors, but it has some other advantages, Lieberman said. If you want to buy the nasal spray without insurance, a two-pack is about $200, Lieberman said, compared with $600 for one auto-injector. Neffy comes in a two-pack because if a first dose doesn't improve the symptoms, you can give a second dose. With the traditional pen, it's just one dose.
The sprays also remain effective for two years instead of one, and they don't have heat restrictions like the injectables do.
Lieberman is now prescribing the nasal sprays and getting it approved by insurance about 50% of the time, and "the more we write for it, the more insurance sees it, and will approve it," he said.
He encourages people, especially in Texas, who have a prescription for an EpiPen to consider the Neffy instead. He has had many patients with auto-injectors accidentally leave them in a bag in the trunk of a car for days or weeks in the Texas heat and then have to throw the auto-injector away and get a new one. With the nasal spray, that spray would still be effective.
It's going to be "a game-changer," Lieberman said.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas law keeps school nurses from using new epi nasal spray
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Newsweek
Aldi Products Recalled in 16 States: Full List of Items Impacted
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. There are currently two recalls of food products sold at Aldi, according to Aldi and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), impacting multiple states. This is what to know about the recalls. In response to a request for comment on this article, Aldi directed Newsweek to their product recall page, which states: "While ALDI is committed to providing only the best quality at the lowest prices, our top priority is the safety of you and your family. From developing stringent standards to working with trusted manufacturers on product quality and testing, every measure possible is taken to fulfill that promise." Why It Matters Food recalls are initiated when a product is deemed to have the potential to adversely affect a person when consumed. The most common reason for food recalls is undeclared allergens. An Aldi grocery store is pictures on May 02, 2025 in Washington, DC. An Aldi grocery store is pictures on May 02, 2025 in Washington, are nine major allergens, including soybeans, wheat, sesame, milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts and peanuts. For customers with allergies to these allergens, consumption of food contaminated with or containing them can cause severe and even life-threatening reactions. Casa Mamita Churro Bites Filled with Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Recall On June 4, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Aldi announced a recall of Casa Mamita Churro Bites Filled with Chocolate Hazelnut Cream due to the potential presence of an undeclared milk allergen. The product is supplied by Camerican International which voluntarily issued the recall. The product was sold at ALDI stores in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The recalled product was distributed in 7.05-ounce cardboard boxes with the UPC Code 4061459561807 and "Best If Used By" date of July 14, 2026, printed on the label. No illnesses or allergic reactions were reported as of June 4, 2025. Consumers with milk allergies are urged not to consume the product and to return it to Aldi for a full refund. Newsweek has reached out to Camerican International via email for comment. Atlantic Salmon Portions with Seafood Stuffing Recall Atlantic Salmon Portions with Seafood Stuffing, manufactured by Santa Monica Seafood of Rancho Dominguez, were recalled on May 27, 2025, after it was found that the product may contain undeclared soy. The recalled product was available at Aldi locations in California, Nevada and Arizona. As of May 27, no illnesses had been reported, as per an FDA press release. The product was distributed in 16oz packaging with the UPC Code 4061459716313 and the use/freeze-by date of June 2, 2025. Newsweek has reached out to Santa Monica Seafood via email for comment. What People Are Saying Dr. Sebastian Lighvani, director of New York Allergy & Asthma PLLC, previously told Newsweek: "The difference between someone who is allergic and someone who's not, really, at its core is that an allergic individual can come across something as innocuous as a small amount of the food, egg, peanut, milk, and ingest it. "And while a normal person will just digest that and process it, an allergic person actually sees this as a foreign threat. And that triggers the allergic response, which can initially be associated with activation of what we think are these antibodies called IgE antibodies that recognize specifically that piece of food, be it protein or egg protein. And that then triggers these cells, called the mast cells, to release all these inflammatory mediators, like histamine and other kinds of mediators, like nutrients, which can have kind of profound effects." What Happens Next Affected customers should return recalled products to Aldi for a full refund.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
20 million eggs recalled from Walmart, Safeway other stores in WA, other states
A salmonella outbreak has caused the recall of 1.7 million dozen eggs and has sickened 79 people in seven states. Four people in Washington have been reported sick, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to track the outbreak. There have been no deaths. The recall was issued June 6 for 20 million eggs distributed to Walmart, Safeway, chains owned by Kroger and various other independent and chain supermarkets around the country. The Centers for Disease Control is recommending that people throw the eggs away. Hilmar, California's August Egg Co., a division of Gemperle Enterprises, produced the eggs and issued the recall last week. 'August Egg Company is not selling fresh shell eggs at this time,' the company-written, FDA-posted recall notice said. 'Our firm has voluntarily been diverting eggs to an egg-breaking plant for over 30 days, which pasteurizes the eggs and kills any potential foodborne pathogens.' Packaging for the recalled eggs will have plant code P-6562 or CA5330 with the Julian Dates between 32 to 126. The eggs that went to Walmart stores had sell-by dates from March 4 through June 19. Other retailers got eggs with 'sell by dates' from March 4 through June 4. The recall section of Walmart's website say the egg recall involves its stores in two dozen states, including Washington. The FDA's recall list includes California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana and Illinois. Here are specific brands to look for: ▪ Marketside (a Walmart store brand): Organic Large Cage Free Brown Eggs in cartons of 12 and 18; Large Cage Free Brown Eggs in cartons of 12 and 18. ▪ First Street (a Smart & Final house brand): Cage Free Large Brown loose eggs. ▪ Clover: Organic Large Brown Eggs, one dozen. ▪ Nulaid: One dozen Medium Brown Cage Free, one dozen Jumbo Brown Cage Free. ▪ O Organics: Cage Free Large Brown, six eggs; and Large Brown, 12 and 18 eggs. This brand will be found at Safeway and other Albertson's-owned stores. ▪ Raley's (store brand): Large Cage Free Brown, 12 eggs: Organic Large Cage Free Brown, 12 and 18 eggs. ▪ Simple Truth: Cage Free Large Brown and Medium Brown 18 eggs. This brand will be found at Food 4 Less, Ralphs and other Kroger-owned chains. ▪ Sun Harvest: Organic Large Cage Free Brown Eggs in cartons of 12 and 18. ▪ Sunnyside: Organic Large Cage Free Brown Eggs in cartons of 12 and 18; and Large Cage Free Brown Eggs in cartons of 12 and 18. An outbreak update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 79 people have been sickened in this outbreak with 21 hospitalizations. Most of those have been in California, with four in Washington. The remaining 10 break down as Nevada (four); Arizona (three); Nebraska and New Jersey (two each); and Kentucky (one). Salmonella outbreaks tend to be under-counted because most people recover without medical attention. The CDC estimates about 1.35 million people in the United States will get salmonella each year. Of that number, 26,400 will be hospitalized, usually driven to the hospital by bloody diarrhea, and 420 will die. Usually, salmonella means a few days of diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomachaches. The Mayo Clinic notes that salmonella symptoms include: Nausea and/or vomiting Abdominal cramps Diarrhea and/or blood in the stool Fever Chills Headache If you have any of the recalled eggs listed above, return them to the store for a refund or throw them deep into the garbage. If you have any questions about the recalls, call August Farms at 800-710-2554, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Pacific time.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
Over 19,000 Cases of Dr Pepper Have Been Recalled for Containing Sugar in Cans Marked ‘Zero Sugar'
Over 19,000 cases of Dr Pepper Zero Sugar were recalled after cans were found to contain full-sugar soda, posing health risks for those avoiding sugar The mislabeled cans, produced in Florida, were distributed in FL, GA and SC, with a "best by" date of Feb. 16, 2026 (Product Code: XXXXRS05165) In a separate recall, 1.7 million eggs were pulled due to salmonella; both recalls encourage refunds or safe disposal of affected productsOver 19,000 cases of Dr Pepper Zero Sugar are being recalled after the cans were found to contain full-sugar soda, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced. The voluntary recall, initiated May 23, affects 12-pack and 24-pack cases of the 12-ounce aluminum cans that are labeled 'Dr Pepper Zero Sugar.' Despite the label, the drinks inside contain the same amount of sugar found in regular Dr Pepper — about 39 grams per can — posing a health risk for people with diabetes or anyone needing to limit sugar intake. On Thursday, June 5, the FDA officially classified the recall as Class II, meaning the product 'may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences." Per the recall, th likelihood of more serious health consequences is low but still possible. The affected cans were distributed in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, and were produced by Pepsi Beverages Company in Jacksonville, Florida, under a license from CB Manufacturing Company, Inc. Consumers can identify the recalled cases by the product code, which is listed as XXXXRS05165, and the "best by" date of Feb. 16, 2026No other Dr Pepper products or batches of Dr Pepper Zero Sugar are part of the recall. While the FDA didn't specify next steps for consumers, most stores will accept returns of recalled items. If not, the cans can be disposed of or consumed by someone who does not need to avoid sugar. Dr Pepper is one of the many brands that have had products recalled this year. Earlier this month, 1.7 million "brown cage-free and brown certified organic eggs" were recalled from the August Egg Company in nine states due to salmonella contamination. "We believe it is appropriate out of an abundance of caution to conduct this voluntary recall, as consumers may still have these eggs in their homes," the August Egg Company said in a statement shared with the FDA at the time. 'It is important to know that when our processing plant identified this concern, we immediately began diverting all eggs from the plant to an egg-breaking facility, which pasteurizes the eggs and kills any pathogens." "We are committed to addressing this matter fully and to implementing all necessary corrective actions to ensure this does not happen again," the statement concluded. If customers discover they have bought contaminated eggs, the brand encourages them to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund or throw them away. Read the original article on People
