What is Xolair and how is it beneficial for allergic reaction treatment?
Imagine it’s spring. The flowers are blooming and the trees are green again. Unfortunately, you aren’t able to enjoy this spectacle of nature every year because of your allergies. However, thankfully, due to a recent modification of a medicine developed in 2003 called Xolair, you might be able to enjoy your spring season again.
Image of the injection tool used for Xolair medication. (6)
Xolair was originally approved in 2003 to treat “persistent allergic asthma in certain patients” (1). Since then, the medication has expanded to also be approved for chronic spontaneous urticaria and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, which are hives that are formed through different allergic reactions (1). Xolair’s intended effect is to bind IgE (the antibody for immune responses to allergens) in the bloodstream, which prevents it from attaching to mast cells and basophils. Mast cells and basophils are cells that produce inflammatory or histamine responses during an allergic reaction (2).
So how is Xolair used? Xolair is injected into a patient based on their IgE levels and weight. In addition, they are dosed with a customized schedule to ensure the highest effectiveness of the medication (5). As the medicine is a recent development, the doses are typically administered in hospitals or healthcares to guarantee the safety of patients (5).
There are many benefits to Xolair including the quality of life for patients. According to a PubMed study, the treatment effectiveness for patients was overall positive: 77% patients at 16 weeks and 82% at 12 months (4). Examples of Xolair’s benefits include a reduction of frequent asthma attacks, decrease in needing inhalers, as well as overall improvement in lung function daily. Additionally, Xolair not only displays high rates of effectiveness but also provides an alternative to traditional medications, such as antihistamines or corticosteroids. This is significant because traditional medications like antihistamines or corticosteroids are not always effective on every patient.
However, considering that Xolair is still a developing medication, it has its downsides as well. An example of a side effect can include severe allergic reactions, which is why when first taking Xolair, it is necessary to monitor the doses (3).
Xolair is an overall leap in the field of medication and improvement of life quality, especially for those with severe allergies. Although there are some side effects that come with the medicine, it is still in its early stages and has time to develop. While this is not the only allergic reaction medicine being developed, it represents the prospect of providing alternatives to the current medications.
- Office. (2024). FDA Approves First Medication to Help Reduce Allergic Reactions to Multiple Foods After Accidental Exposure. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-medication-help-reduce-allergic-reactions-multiple-foods-after-accidental
- Beck, L. A., Marcotte, G. V., Jr, D. M., Alkis Togias, & Saini, S. (2004). Omalizumab-induced reductions in mast cell FcεRI expression and function. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 114(3), 527–530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2004.06.032
- Xolair (Omalizumab): Uses & Side Effects. (2023). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19805-omalizumab-injection
- Bousquet, J., Humbert, M., Gibson, P. G., Konstantinos Kostikas, Jaumont, X., Pfister, P., & Nissen, F. (2021). Real-World Effectiveness of Omalizumab in Severe Allergic Asthma: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in Practice, 9(7), 2702–2714. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2021.01.011
- HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. (n.d.). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/103976s5245lbl.pdf
- Ulrich, A. (2024, July 12). How Long Does Xolair Take to Work? 7 Xolair FAQs. GoodRx. https://www.goodrx.com/xolair/how-long-does-xolair-take-to-work