February 19, 2024
allergies, biologics, food allergy, Xolair

Xolair: First FDA Approved Drug for Food Allergies

What is Xolair?

On Friday, February 16, 2024, the FDA approved the first ever drug, Xolair (omalizumab), for the treatment of food allergies for children one year and older, and for adults. This is a revolutionary approach for the treatment of food allergies and can now be prescribed by the food allergy doctors at The Asthma Center.

The approval of Xolair was based on a multicenter US study involving 168 adults and children greater than 1 year old, allergic to peanuts and at least 1 other food. Xolair treated individuals had a statistically significant reduction of food allergic reactions upon food challenges in comparison to placebo treated individuals.

What are common food allergies?

Millions of Americans (about 6 percent of the US population) have food allergies putting them at risk for potentially life-threatening allergic reactions called anaphylaxis. It is estimated from the USDA (2023) that food anaphylaxis results in 30,000 emergency room visits, 2,000 hospitalizations, and 150 deaths in the US per year.

The nine most common causes of food allergies in the US include: milk, egg, fish, Crustacean shellfish (crab, shrimp, lobster), tree nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans), peanuts, wheat, soybean, and sesame.

What does Xolair treat?

Xolair is a monoclonal antibody biologic drug that was originally approved in 2003 for treatment of moderate to severe asthma and subsequently approved for chronic hives and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. In February 2024, Xolair was approved to help treat food allergies.

Can Xolair be used to treat food allergies? 

Yes, Xolair can be used to treat food allergies. It was approved in 2024 to help reduce allergic reactions to food(s) after accidental exposure, however it is not approved  for immediate emergency treatment of allergic food reactions like food-induced anaphylaxis. Individuals with food allergies, even on Xolair, will need to continue adhering to strict food avoidance.

Can Xolair be used to treat food allergies in kids? Can Xolair be used to treat food allergies in adults?

Yes, Xolair can be used to treat food allergies in kids one year old and older, as well as in adults.

How is Xolair used for food allergy treatment?

Xolair is administered by injection by a medical professional in a medical office. For food allergy treatment, it is injected every 2 to 4 weeks.

This treatment reduces the risk of severe food allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) that occurs with accidental exposure to one or more foods. Xolair is not approved for the emergency treatment of food allergic reactions and therefore strict food avoidance should still be continued.

Does The Asthma Center Treat Food Allergies with Xolair?

Yes, the food allergy doctors at The Asthma Center use Xolair to treat food allergies. Patients are first evaluated by our allergy doctors for their history of food-induced allergic reactions. Our doctors then can test for food allergies using skin test(s) and/or blood test(s). After diagnosing the complete range of food allergies, our allergy doctors will discuss with you the option of using Xolair for the treat of food allergies. To learn more about this revolutionary new treatment option for food allergies, please see Xolair for Food Allergy Treatment.

Our food allergy doctors treat patients for food allergies in the Philadelphia area and South Jersey at our locations:

Center City Philadelphia • Northeast Philadelphia

Langhorne, Bucks County PA

Mt. Laurel NJ