Omalizumab

Question 1

What is omalizumab and how does it work?

Answer 1

It is used to manage severe asthma.

It is a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to free human IgE.

Question 2

What are the adverse effects of Omalizumab?

Answer 2

• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Fever
• Churg-Strauss syndrome: may present with eosinophilia, vasculitic rash, worsening respiratory symptoms and peripheral neuropathy

Question 3

Which asthma patienst is it used in?

Answer 3

• >= 6 years old.
• Needs continous or frequent oral corticosteroids treatment (4 or more courses in previous year)
• Optimised standard therapy (SABA, ICS, Monteleukast, LAMA, Oral steroids & smoking cessation)

Question 4

How is it given?

Answer 4

As a subcutaneous injection every 2 to 4 weeks.