What is Xolair?
Xolair (omalizumab) is a biologic drug therapy that is an add-on medication used to treat allergic asthma (AA) in patients aged 6 years and older that is not controlled by inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), and ​chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) (chronic hives) in patients aged 12 years and older that is not controlled with H1 antihistamine treatment.
How does Xolair work?
To Treat Allergic Asthma
In response to breathing in an airborne allergen, the body makes a substance called IgE (immunoglobulin E). The IgE then attaches itself to both the allergen and the inflammatory cell, which releases a substance that may cause inflammation in the airways and lead to an asthma attack. Xolair prevents IgE from binding to the inflammatory cell, which is thought to help reduce asthma symptoms and attacks.
To Treat Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU)
Mast cells are found in almost all of the body’s tissues, including the skin. IgE attaches to receptors on mast cells, triggering the release of histamine and other inflammatory chemicals under certain conditions. (Histamine causes inflammation that leads to hives and itching associated with CIU.) Xolair binds to IgE before it can attach to mast cells and also reduces the number of IgE receptors on the surface of mast cells.
How is Xolair administered?
Xolair is administered via injection. Doses are given once every 2 to 4 weeks. For AA patients, the dose (mg) and dosing frequency are determined by serum total IgE level (IU/mL), measured before the start of treatment, and body weight (kg).