Xolair
Form: Injection
Strength: 150mg
Generic Name: Omalizumab
Company: Novartis (Bangladesh) Ltd.
MRP:৳ 38000.0 (Injection)
Is Antibiotic: No
Indications
Xolair is used for treating moderate to severe persistent asthma in adults and children aged 6 and older, who have a positive skin test or sensitivity to a perennial allergen and whose asthma is not controlled with inhaled corticosteroids.
Xolair is also used to treat nasal polyps in adults aged 18 and older who do not respond well to nasal corticosteroids.
Xolair is used to treat chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in adults and adolescents aged 12 and older who continue to have symptoms despite taking antihistamines.
Pharmacology
For asthma and nasal polyps, Xolair works by blocking IgE from binding to its receptor on certain cells like mast cells and basophils, which helps reduce inflammation caused by allergies.
For chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), Xolair binds to IgE and lowers its levels, but the exact way Xolair helps reduce symptoms of CSU is not fully understood.
Dosage & Administration
For asthma: 75 to 375 mg, injected under the skin every 2 to 4 weeks. The dose depends on the total IgE level and body weight.
For nasal polyps: 75 to 600 mg, injected under the skin every 2 to 4 weeks. The dose depends on the total IgE level and body weight.
For chronic spontaneous urticaria: 150 or 300 mg, injected under the skin every 4 weeks. The dose does not depend on the IgE level or body weight.
Interaction
There are no known drug interactions for this medication.
Contraindications
Xolair is not recommended for patients who have a severe allergic reaction to Xolair or any of its ingredients.
Side Effects
For asthma: The most common side effects in adults and adolescents include joint pain, general pain, fatigue, dizziness, fractures, arm pain, itching, skin inflammation, and ear pain. In children aged 6 to 12, common side effects include cold symptoms, headaches, fever, abdominal pain, and sore throat.
For nasal polyps: The most common side effects include headaches, reactions at the injection site, joint pain, abdominal pain, and dizziness.
For chronic spontaneous urticaria: The most common side effects include nausea, cold symptoms, sinus infections, upper respiratory infections, joint pain, headaches, and cough.
Pregnancy & Lactation
Asthma that is not well controlled during pregnancy can pose risks. There is no information about whether Xolair passes into breast milk, but small amounts of immunoglobulin (IgG) are present in human milk.
Precautions & Warnings
Xolair should be started in a healthcare setting where anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) can be managed, and patients should be monitored for a period of time after each injection.
Xolair has been linked to cases of cancer in some studies.
Do not use Xolair for treating sudden asthma attacks or acute asthma flare-ups.
Do not stop corticosteroids suddenly when starting treatment with Xolair.
Be cautious in patients with eosinophilia (high eosinophil count), vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels), or worsening lung symptoms, especially if reducing corticosteroid use.
If a patient develops symptoms similar to serum sickness, such as fever, joint pain, or rash, treatment should be stopped.
Overdose Effects
There are no known overdose effects for this medication.
Therapeutic Class
Xolair belongs to the class of antihistamines, anti-allergies, and hypo-sensitization treatments.
Storage Conditions
Xolair should be stored in a refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C in its original packaging, protected from sunlight. Xolair can be taken out of the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Do not use if Xolair has been exposed to temperatures above 25°C or if frozen.