What is Xolair approved for?

Xolair (generic name: omalizumab) is approved to treat asthma triggered by allergies, sinus inflammation with nasal polyps, chronic hives and to help reduce allergic reactions due to accidental exposure to certain foods (along with avoiding foods to which you are allergic). It is not used for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.

Xolair is prescribed for:

Asthma

• Moderate-to-severe asthma that is caused by allergies. Your doctor will give you a blood test for a substance called IgE to see if you have year-round allergies and to determine your dose.
• Xolair is used when your asthma symptoms are not controlled by an inhaled steroid. It is approved to be used in adults and children 6 years of age and older.
• Xolair is not used as a rescue medicine for sudden breathing problems in asthma. You should always have a rescue inhaler on hand for sudden breathing problems; if you do not have one, contact your doctor.

Nasal Polyps

• Nasal polyps in people 18 years of age and older when nasal corticosteroids have not been effective.
• Your doctor will give you a blood test for a substance called IgE to determine your dose.
• Nasal polyps are growths (not caused by cancer) located inside your nose. The polyps are caused by long-term swelling in your nasal passages. Treatment can help to decrease the size of the polyps and any congestion.

Chronic Hives

• Chronic spontaneous urticaria (chronic hives) in people 12 years of age and older who continue to have hives that are not controlled with certain antihistamine treatments (H1 antihistamines).
• You do not need a blood test for a substance called IgE to determine your dose if you have chronic hives.
• Chronic spontaneous urticaria (formerly known as chronic idiopathic urticaria) is chronic hives that occur without a known cause. They appear as red, itchy welts (a raised rash) that occur due to a skin reaction.

Related Questions

• What are the most common skin conditions? (with photos)
• What are monoclonal antibodies?
• Is Xolair an immunosuppressant?

Food Allergy Reduction

• Used in adults and children 1 year of age and older to reduce Type 1 IgE-related allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) that may occur after accidentally eating one or more foods to which you are allergic. While using Xolair, you should continue to avoid all foods to which you are allergic.
• Xolair is NOT used as an emergency treatment for a food allergy reaction or other
  allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.
• Your dose is determined by your healthcare provider and is based on your weight and an IgE blood test.
• Your healthcare provider will determine how long you should remain on Xolair treatment to help lessen the chances of a food allergy.

Xolair is given by an injection under the skin (subcutaneously) from a prefilled syringe or from a vial and needle. Xolair is given in one or more injections under the skin (subcutaneous), once every 2 or 4 weeks. Your doctor will determine your dose.

If approved by your doctor, you or your caregiver can be trained to administer the Xolair dose at home using the prefilled syringe. For your first few doses, your doctor will give the medicine in a medical facility to monitor you for side effects like severe allergies.

Xolair is typically used when other treatments have not been effective to control your symptoms.

Xolair is not used to treat other allergic conditions, other forms of hives, or sudden breathing problems.

This is not all the information you need to know about Xolair (omalizumab) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the full Xolair information here, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.