Omalizumab treatment

The Omalizumab treatment helps decrease the symptoms of allergies. The treatment is only preventive.

What is Omalizumab?

Omalizumab contains an antibody that binds itself to IgE. This reduces the amount of free IgE, the presence of which may cause allergic symptoms.

lgE is an antibody that plays a role in allergy. We all have IgE but people with allergy often have more than non-allergics. The mode of action of the treatment has not been fully established.

Who will benefit from Omalizumab treatment?

Omalizumab can be prescribed to people over the age of 12 with chronic urticaria and/or angioedema with insufficient effect of high doses of antihistamines or other forms of treatment.

Omalizumab can be prescribed to people over the age of 6 with severe allergic (IgE) asthma with insufficient effect of other treatments. The treatment is preventative only and cannot be used to treat asthma attacks.

Only hospitals prescribe Omalizumab treatment.

Before treatment starts

For chronic urticaria and/or angioedema:

Your symptoms will be evaluated prior to administration of the treatment.
Relevant blood tests will be performed to determine the amount of IgE in your blood.

For asthma:

Your weight and amount of IgE will determine how much and how often Omalizumab should be given.

How is the treatment given?

Omalizumab is administered as a subcutaneous injection in your upper arm.

For chronic urticaria and/or angioedema, the typical treatment regimen involves two injections given at the same time, every four weeks. The interval between the injections and the dose may change according to treatment response.

For asthma, you typically have one to four injections every two to four weeks. The interval between the injections and the dose usually don't change.

What is the duration of the treatment?

Each injection takes a few minutes. Following the injection, for most patients the observation period is 30 minutes and two hours after the first injection.

For chronic urticaria and/or angioedema, the effect of Omalizumab will be evaluated after three treatments. For asthma, the effect of the treatment cannot be evaluated until you have been treated for 16 weeks. Then, the physician will decide whether your treatment should be continued.

Important information for those receiving biological medicines

Omalizumab must be stored in the refrigerator. However, omalizumab injectors/pens may be stored out of the refrigerator for a maximum of 7 days. It does not have to be 7 consecutive days. When your medicine is not in the refrigerator, it must be stored at room temperature at most.

Side Effects

Injection site reactions and discomfort.
Some patients experience transient headaches.
In rare cases, patients experience dizziness and fatigue.
Reports of hot flushes, sore throats, nausea, and diarrhea.
Some reports of acute breathing problems in asthma patients (rare).
Rashes following sun exposure have been reported. Hence, we recommend staying in the shade or regular application of suntan lotion.
In rare cases, an allergic reaction may occur.

You should seek medical attention if you experience acute symptoms such as a general feeling of malaise, rash, or breathing problems after you have left the clinic.

Medication

Do not discontinue your normal medication unless agreed with your physician at the Allergy Clinic.

Who cannot get Omalizumab treatment?

Treatment with Omalizumab will not be prescribed to:

pregnant women
lactating women
patients with certain types of kidney or liver problems.