FAQs about Anti-IgE Treatment
Anti-IgE is a form of treatment for allergic conditions that has been approved for the treatment of moderate to severe persistent asthma and chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives with an unknown cause). Anti-IgE interferes with the function of IgE. IgE is an antibody in the immune system.
How does anti-IgE work?
What anti-IgE medicine is available now?
Are there any side effects or adverse reactions to Xolair®?
What's the safest way to get anti-IgE injections?
How does anti-IgE work?
Allergens (such as pollens) are introduced to the body. Pre-made IgE against these allergens attaches to them and tells the rest of the immune cells to initiate an allergic reaction. This may bring on symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, nasal congestion, hives and swelling. Anti-IgE attaches to IgE in the blood and helps prevent the allergic reaction.
What anti-IgE medicine is available now?
Omalizumab (Xolair®) is the anti-IgE medicine now available. Xolair is made to be similar to natural antibodies and is designed specifically to capture most of the IgE and block the allergic response. Xolair is approved by the FDA for use with patients 6 years of age and older who:
- Have incomplete control of moderate to severe persistent asthma
- Have year-round allergies
- Are taking routine inhaled corticosteroids.
Xolair has been shown to decrease asthma episodes in some of these patients.
Xolair has also been approved for patients 12 years of age and older who:
- Have chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU; chronic hives without a known cause) who continue to have hives that are not controlled by conventional antihistamine treatments.
Xolair is given by a shot (injection) one to two times a month. The shots are given in the doctor’s office. The dosage varies, depending on the person's diagnosis, weight and IgE blood level.
Xolair is a long-term control medicine. This means it is given routinely to prevent asthma symptoms. It is not a quick relief medicine. Some patients improve quickly. Some patients show a gradual benefit. Xolair does not appear to work for all patients.
Are there any side effects or adverse reactions to Xolair?
Common side effects of Xolair include a reaction at the injection site, viral infections, upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, headache, sore throat, pain, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. These side effects were about as common in patients who received placebo injections.
Several rare, yet severe side effects were reported in the original studies. They include malignancy and anaphylaxis.
In the initial studies, cancers (including breast, skin, prostate and salivary gland) were seen in 0.5 percent (20 of 4127) of patients treated with Xolair. The rate was 0.2 percent (5 of 2236) in patients treated with the placebo dose. A subsequent 5-year study of 5007 Xolair treated and 2829 non-Xolair treated adolescent and adult patients found similar rates of primary cancers (per 1000 patient years) in each group (12.3 compared to 13.0 respectively).
In the initial studies, anaphylaxis was seen in less than 0.1 percent of the patients treated with Xolair. Since Xolair was approved in June 2003, additional reports of anaphylaxis have been reported to the FDA. Information was gathered from about 57,300 patients treated with Xolair (from June 2003-December 2006). The reaction rate was estimated to be 0.1 percent and at least 0.2 percent. The serious reactions occurred in at least 1 of every 1,000 patients. The reactions these patients had included combinations of symptoms of anaphylaxis.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
- Increased trouble breathing, coughing, chest tightness or wheezing
- Dizziness, fainting, rapid or weak heartbeat
- Swelling in the mouth and throat or trouble swallowing
- Flushing, itching, hives or a feeling of warmth
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach cramping.
Although rare, an anaphylaxis reaction can be serious and life-threatening. An anaphylactic reaction may occur with the first dose or after any dose of Xolair. The reaction may occur soon after the shot is given. It may also occur 24 hours or more after the shot is given.
What's the safest way to get anti-IgE injections?
Although anaphylaxis is rare, several steps improve your safety when receiving Xolair are:
The Xolair shots are given in the doctor’s office.
You will need to stay at the doctor’s office for 2 hours after the initial three shots are given. After the initial three shots, you will need to stay in the doctor's office for 1 hour after the subsequent shots.
The doctor’s office should be readily able to rapidly recognize and treat an anaphylactic reaction.
You will be instructed in the use of an epinephrine auto-injector. This is an easy-to-give shot that you can use if having an anaphylactic reaction after leaving the doctor’ office.
You should wear a medical alert bracelet.
If you feel you are having an anaphylactic reaction, you need to get medical help right away.
Although anaphylaxis is very rare, these steps can increase your safety when receiving anti-IgE treatment.
Remember to talk with your doctor if you have any questions.
This information has been reviewed by Sanny Chan, MD, PhD (December 2016)