The new allergy medicine is Xolair (omalizumab). It is the first FDA-approved medication to reduce allergic reactions to more than one type of food after accidental exposure. Xolair is also approved to treat severe asthma and chronic urticaria (hives) and is given via an injection under the skin.
How Xolair Works
Xolair works by targeting immunoglobulin E (IgE), a type of antibody that plays a key role in allergic reactions. When a person with food allergies comes into contact with an allergen, their body releases IgE, which binds to mast cells and basophils. This binding triggers the release of histamine and other inflammatory chemicals, leading to allergic symptoms like hives, itching, swelling, and anaphylaxis.
Xolair binds to IgE, preventing it from attaching to mast cells and basophils, thus reducing the severity of allergic reactions.
Other New Allergy Medicines
In addition to Xolair, other new allergy medicines include:
- Dupixent (dupilumab): An injectable, bi-weekly treatment approved by the FDA for severe asthma and eczema.
- Neffy (epinephrine nasal spray): Approved by the FDA in August 2024 for use in children and adults weighing ≥30 kg.
- Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT): A relatively new approach to delivering allergy immunotherapy where the medicine is placed under the tongue (sublingually) instead of being injected.
These new medications offer hope for people living with allergies, providing new options for managing and reducing the severity of their symptoms.
