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Omalizumab ( oh-mah-lye-ZOO-mab) is used to treat moderate to severe persistent allergic asthma. Omalizumab is a shot (injection) given under the skin (subcutaneous) The shot is given every 2 or 4 weeks. For many patients who still have asthma symptoms even though they are taking inhaled steroids, Omalizumab helps to reduce the number of asthma attacks. Omalizumab is a medicine called an IgE blocker. IgE is short for immunoglobulin E. IgE is a substance that occurs naturally in the body in small amounts. This substance plays an important role in allergic asthma. When people with allergic asthma breathe in a year-round allergen, such as cat or dog dander, their bodies make more IgE. This may cause a series of reactions in your body that can lead to asthma attacks and symptoms. Omalizumab works by helping to block IgE. Omalizumab is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms: Parenteral Injection (U.S.)
Brand names: - Omalizumab - Xolair |