Learn about Xolair treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Your nose is always blocked, it's hard to breathe, you can't smell or taste anything, you're constantly running a runny nose... Have you been suffering from these symptoms for a long time? Perhaps the cause of this is chronic rhinosinusitis, which is a long-term inflammation of the sinuses that comes with small tumors (nasal polyps) that grow inside your nose. Although many people can control this with nasal sprays and pills, some people do not get a full recovery no matter how long they take these treatments. Today, we are going to talk about a new treatment that can help such people, and it works in a different way. This is the injection treatment called Xolair.

First, let's see what sinusitis with nasal polyps is?

Simply put, the air-filled cavities in the skull around our nose are called sinuses. Chronic rhinosinusitis is when the sinuses and the lining of the nose become inflamed and swollen for a long time, lasting more than 3 months. When this inflammation continues, small, soft growths ( polyps ) that look like grapes start to grow from some parts of the lining.

Most of the time, these polyps don't cause any symptoms. But sometimes, they grow and start blocking the nasal passages and sinuses. That's when the problems start.

• Nasal congestion : The nose feels constantly blocked.
• Runny nose: Frequent discharge of mucus.
• Loss of smell and taste : You can't smell the deliciousness of food or the fragrance of a flower.
• Sinus pain : When mucus can't drain from the sinus cavities, it can build up, causing pain and pressure. Sometimes, these can become infected .

The main thing in treating this condition is to reduce the inflammation in the nose and sinuses. Then the polyps will shrink and the symptoms will begin to subside.

How does the Xolair vaccine work?

This medicine called Xolair contains the active ingredient omalizumab. Its action is very special. It directly targets a part of our body's immune system.

Think of our body as a fortress. When an allergen enters this fortress, our body's "guards" immediately spring into action and begin to fight it off. One of these "guards" is a protein called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) . In people with this condition, this guard, called IgE, is a little too active. It overreacts to even the smallest things, causing unnecessary swelling and inflammation inside the nose.

What the Xolair vaccine does is block the action of the overactive IgE protein. It's like calming down an anxious guard. When the IgE stops working, the allergic response and the swelling, redness, and mucus that it causes are controlled. This causes the nasal polyps to shrink and the symptoms begin to improve.

Who is this treatment suitable for?

Not everyone with this condition is given Xolair at once. Treatment is usually done step by step.

Is this medicine really effective?

Yes. Two large clinical trials, POLYP 1 and POLYP 2, have been conducted to confirm the efficacy of this medicine. All participants in these trials were people who used the nasal spray daily but still suffered from symptoms.

The results showed that those who received the Xolair vaccine had a significant reduction in the number of nasal polyps . Their nasal congestion symptoms also decreased significantly.

How is Xolair used? And how quickly will it heal?

Xolair is a liquid injection. It is injected subcutaneously . It is usually given every 2 to 4 weeks . How often and how much you need will be determined by your doctor based on your weight and blood IgE levels.

• First few doses: You will be given the first few doses of this medicine under medical supervision in a hospital or clinic. This is to monitor for any allergic reactions that may occur in some people.
• Then at home: If you have no problems, with your doctor's approval, you can be trained to give yourself this vaccine at home. There is an easy-to-use, pre-filled device called an ``autoinjector'' for this.
• Results: You will usually see some improvement in your symptoms within the first month of starting treatment. Symptoms may continue to improve over the next few months.

Let's learn about side effects and safety.

Like all medications, there is a chance of side effects. However, serious side effects are very rare.

Most importantly, some people can have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after the first dose. This can cause sudden difficulty breathing, swelling, and dizziness. This is an emergency.

That's why you always get your first dose in a hospital or clinic because of that risk. Then, if there's a problem, there's trained medical staff to treat it. So you don't have to worry about it.

Apart from this, minor side effects such as redness, itching, and pain may occur at the injection site. If you experience any unusual symptoms, inform your doctor immediately.