Omalizumab is a drug used in the treatment of allergic asthma belonging to the class of monoclonal anti-IgE antibodies (ie, anti-immunoglobulin E).
Examples of medicinal specialties containing Omalizumab
- Xolair ®.
Indications
For what it uses
The use of omalizumab is indicated to prevent and control the symptoms of allergic asthma in those patients already on therapy with other antiasthmatics (steroids or β2-adrenergic agonists by inhalation), but in which the pathology is not adequately controlled.
Warnings
Should any type of allergic reaction occur during treatment with omalizumab, treatment with the drug should be stopped and the doctor should be informed immediately.
Before starting omalizumab therapy, you must inform your doctor if you are in any of the following conditions:
- If you are suffering from kidney disease;
- If you are suffering from liver disease;
- If you are suffering from any kind of autoimmune disease.
Omalizumab is indicated to prevent the worsening of asthmatic disease, therefore it should not be used in acute asthma attacks.
Omalizumab should only be used in the treatment of allergic asthma and not in the treatment of other types of allergies.
Finally, omalizumab should not be used in children under six years of age.
Interactions
Before starting treatment with omalizumab, you must tell your doctor if you are already taking any of the following medications:
- Antiparasitic drugs, since omalizumab can reduce its therapeutic efficacy;
- Corticosteroids and / or other drugs used in the treatment of allergic asthma.
In any case, it is still advisable to inform your doctor if you are already taking - or if you have recently been taken - drugs of any kind, including medicines without a prescription and herbal and homeopathic products.
Side effects
Omalizumab - like any other drug - can cause side effects, although not all patients experience them.
The type of adverse effects and the intensity with which they occur depend on the sensitivity that each patient has towards the drug. Therefore, it is said that the side effects do not occur all with the same intensity in each individual.
The main side effects that can occur during treatment with omalizumab are shown below.
Allergic reactions
Omalizumab can cause allergic reactions, even serious ones, in sensitive individuals. Such reactions usually manifest themselves in the form of:
- Skin eruptions;
- Itch;
- Urticaria;
- Angioedema;
- Swelling in different parts of the body;
- Tachycardia;
- dizziness;
- Stunning;
- Shortness of breath;
- Respiratory wheezing or difficulty breathing.
Should any of the above symptoms appear, you should immediately inform your doctor or nurse.
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Treatment with omalizumab may cause:
- Marked eosinophilia (ie a noticeable increase in eosinophil levels in the bloodstream);
- Hypereosinophilic syndrome (also called Churg-Strauss syndrome);
- Decrease in the number of platelets in the bloodstream, resulting in an increased risk of bruising and bleeding.
Nervous system disorders
During omalizumab therapy may occur:
- Headache (especially in children);
- Dizziness;
- Fatigue;
- Drowsiness;
- Tingling or numbness in hands and feet.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Treatment with omalizumab may promote the onset of:
- Itch;
- Urticaria;
- Skin eruptions;
- Photosensitivity reactions;
- Hair loss.
Lung and respiratory tract disorders
Omalizumab therapy can cause a sore throat, cough and acute respiratory problems.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea, diarrhea and indigestion may occur during treatment with omalizumab.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Omalizumab therapy may cause:
- Joint pain and swelling;
- Muscular pain.
Other side effects
Other side effects that may occur during treatment with omalizumab are:
- Serum disease;
- Fever (especially in children);
- Pain in the upper part of the belly (in children);
- Pain, swelling, itching and / or redness at the injection site;
- Increased body weight;
- Swelling of the arms;
- Flu-like symptoms;
- Infestations with parasites.
Action mechanism
Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody capable of binding to free immunoglobulins E (IgE) present in the bloodstream.
IgE are produced in large quantities in subjects suffering from allergic asthma and are responsible for triggering the chain of chemical signals that eventually leads to the development of asthma attack.
Omalizumab - by binding to these immunoglobulins - prevents them from performing their action. By doing so, this drug is able to prevent and reduce allergic asthma symptoms.
Mode of Use - Posology
Omalizumab is available for subcutaneous administration as a solution for injection, or as a powder and solvent for a solution for injection, which must be mixed just before drug administration.
Omalizumab should be administered by a doctor or nurse.
The dose of omalizumab and the duration of treatment must be established by the doctor on a strictly individual basis, depending on the body weight and the clinical condition of each patient.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The use of omalizumab by pregnant women is generally not recommended, except when the doctor does not consider it absolutely necessary.
The use of the drug by breastfeeding mothers is also not recommended.
In any case, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should always seek the advice of their doctor before taking any type of medication.
Contraindications
The use of omalizumab is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to omalizumab itself.
