Are you fed up with severe food allergies? Let's learn about Xolair (Omalizumab)

Do you or your child have severe allergies to multiple foods? If so, you probably know how stressful it can be. Reading the label on every food you buy at the store, asking how the food is prepared when you go to a restaurant, and worrying about accidentally ingesting even a tiny bit of something you're allergic to... It's not easy to live with all of this. But today, we're talking about a new treatment that can help manage this condition.

In the past, the only thing a person with a severe food allergy could do was avoid the food completely. However, no matter how careful we are, we can still accidentally ingest it. In 2024, Xolair became the first drug approved to reduce the severity of these involuntary allergic reactions. While it doesn’t cure allergies, it can go a long way in reducing the fear and anxiety that comes with them.

What is Xolair? How does it actually work?

Simply put, an allergy is when our immune system overreacts to something that is not harmful. The substance that causes this reaction is called an allergen.

Food allergies can sometimes be very dangerous. This type of severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis . This can be life-threatening. Here are some of the symptoms that can occur.

The best way to prevent this situation is to avoid the allergenic foods. But what if you accidentally eat them?

This is where the drug Xolair comes in. The active ingredient in Xolair is Omalizumab . It works by blocking a substance in our body called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) . When an allergen enters the body, the body produces large amounts of this IgE. When Xolair blocks this IgE, the immune system's unwanted reaction is reduced. This means that even if you accidentally ingest a small amount of food, the chance of a severe reaction like anaphylaxis is reduced.

What do the tests done on this medicine say?

A clinical study to investigate the safety and effectiveness of Xolair involved children and adults aged 1 to 55 years. All of them had a severe allergy to peanuts, meaning they could not eat even half a peanut. In addition, all of them had allergies to at least two other foods.

Other allergies among them were:

• Cashews - 56%
• Egg - 40%
• Milk - 35%
• Walnuts - 44%
• Hazelnuts - 13%
• Wheat - 11%

In this trial, one group was given the drug Xolair, while the other group was given a placebo, a drug that looked like a drug but had no active ingredient. After 4-5 months, 67% (two-thirds) of those taking Xolair did not have a severe reaction to eating about two and a half peanuts. However, only 7% of those taking the placebo did.

Also, people who took Xolair were able to eat not only peanuts, but also other foods they were allergic to, such as cashews, milk, and eggs, in larger quantities than before, without experiencing severe reactions.

Important things to know when using Xolair

There are a few things you should definitely keep in mind before and during using this medicine.

• Keep emergency medicine with you: If you have a severe allergic reaction, your doctor may have prescribed you an emergency medicine, such as epinephrine . Even if you are taking Xolair, it is important to keep this medicine with you at all times. If you have a severe reaction, you should take it immediately and go to a hospital emergency room (ETU) as soon as possible.
• This is not a quick fix: Xolair is not a medicine that you take when you have an allergy. It is a medicine that you need to take on a regular schedule.
• Don't stop other medications: Don't stop or reduce the dosage of any other allergy medications you are currently taking without talking to your doctor.

How to use Xolair? Are there any side effects?

Xolair is a liquid medicine that is injected under the skin every 2 or 4 weeks. Your doctor will determine the right dose and schedule for you based on your weight and the level of IgE in your blood.

• The first few doses: The first few times you are given this medicine will definitely be done in a health facility like a hospital or clinic. This is to monitor for any severe reactions (anaphylaxis) to the medicine.
• How to use: This medicine is given using an easy-to-use, pre-filled device called an autoinjector or a regular syringe. Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to latex, as some syringes may contain latex.
• Side effects: The most common side effects are pain and fever at the injection site. Very rarely, a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine can occur. This is why the first few doses are given under medical supervision. If you experience any unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately.
• What happens if you stop taking the medicine? If you stop using Xolair, your allergies may return to their previous severity.

This medication is not suitable for everyone. It is important to discuss with your doctor or allergist/immunologist whether it is right for you, what the pros and cons are, and how to get it.

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