Asthma drug given ‘game changing’ FDA approval

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The medication Xolair is being called a “game changer” by local physicians.

Xolair (omalizumab) has been on the market for nearly two decades and was initially approved to treat asthma in some patients. The drug was recently granted a new FDA approval and can now help reduce allergic reactions for those facing an array of food allergies.

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The new FDA approval of the injection taken every two or four weeks expands treatment to all food allergies including milk, peanuts, wheat, and eggs.

Researchers explain that if taken regularly, the drug does not eliminate the chance of severe allergic reactions to certain foods but can reduce the risk of reactions over time.

“A treatment like Xolair is really great because it blocks the allergy antibody that triggers that allergic reaction,” said Dr. David Stukus, a pediatric allergist and immunologist. “What it can do is protect people from accidentally eating the food and having a severe allergic reaction.”

Allergy specialists said the drug is now another tool physicians can use to treat something impacting more than one-quarter of American children and adults.

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“Issues that I see come up are day-to-day anxiety of worrying about accidental exposures,” Dr. Kara Wada, assistant clinical professor of allergy immunology at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, said. “This is a medication that for many people will decrease the severity of those reactions or the likelihood of reacting should they have an accidental exposure.”

According to the drug’s manufacturer, the list price for Xolair ranges from $2,900 a month for children to $5,000 a month for adults. The manufacturer notes most insured patients can expect to pay less than that out of pocket.

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