What is Xolair prescribed for?
Xolair is prescribed to treat food allergy in people 1 year of age and older to reduce allergic reactions that may occur after accidentally eating one or more foods to which you are allergic.
What is the name of the drug and what does it do?
Xolair, pronounced ZOHL-air, (generic name: omalizumab), a medication previously known for treating asthma, has now been approved by the FDA for managing food allergies in individuals aged 1 year and older.
It is specifically designed to help prevent severe allergic reactions following accidental exposure to allergenic foods.
How does it work?
Xolair works by targeting and attaching to a substance in the body known as immunoglobulin E (IgE).
IgE is crucial in triggering allergic responses. By inhibiting IgE’s activity, Xolair effectively reduces the intensity of food-related allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis—a severe, potentially life-threatening reaction that can cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling, a drop in blood pressure, and dizziness.
What did the research discover?
In clinical trials spanning 16 to 20 weeks, Xolair was shown to significantly reduce allergic reactions in individuals with food allergies.
Participants in the study, including children and adults, were able to consume increasing amounts of foods such as peanuts, eggs, and milk without experiencing moderate to severe allergic reactions.
For example, 68% of participants treated with Xolair could consume at least 2.5 peanuts compared to only 5% of those who received a placebo.
Additionally, significant portions of the study group could safely consume other common allergens like cashews, wheat, and eggs after treatment.
What are some of the side effects?
- Mild allergic reactions similar to the symptoms it aims to prevent
- Injection site reactions (such as pain, redness, or swelling)
- Headaches
- Potential severe allergic responses, which are less common
What are the dosage recommendations and how is it prescribed?
Xolair is administered via injection under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
The specific dosage and frequency of injections depend on the patient’s medical condition and the severity of their allergies.
Patients typically receive injections every few weeks, and the exact regimen should be determined by a healthcare professional based on individual needs and response to treatment.
Source:
- Genentech, Inc. Clinical Trial Results for XOLAIR in Food Allergies. Available from: https://www.xolair.com/food-allergies/results-with-xolair/clinical-trial-results.html. Accessed 16 July 2024.
- Highlights of Prescribing Information for TRYVIO (aprocitentan). Available from: https://www.openai.com/assistant/file-jmVfmNHDU6TvcGwJCzeVqQVz. Accessed 16 July 2024.
