Omalizumab: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What medicine is Omalizumab?

What is omalizumab for?

Omalizumab is a drug used to treat moderate to severe asthma, or ongoing itching of an unknown cause (chronic idiopathic urticaria-CIU) in adults and children over 12 years of age. This medication works to block your immune system's natural response to allergens that can cause acute asthma attacks or hives. This medication affects your immune system (specifically immunoglobulin E-IgE) by helping to keep airways open and, over time, helping to properly control your asthma. For CIU, omalizumab helps reduce itching and the amount of itching on your skin.
This medicine does not work quickly and should not be used for emergency assistance for acute asthma attacks.

How to use omalizumab?

For the treatment of asthma, this drug is injected under the skin (subcutaneous-SC) by a healthcare professional, usually every 2 or 4 weeks as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your body weight and blood level of IgE antibodies, as well as your medical condition and response to therapy. Call your doctor if you have significant changes in body weight during treatment. Your dose may need to be adjusted.

For the treatment of CIU, this drug is injected under the skin by a health professional. It is given as directed by the doctor, usually every 4 weeks. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Use this remedy regularly for best results. To help you remember its use, use it on the same day of the week according to your schedule. It can take up to several months of use to see improvement in your condition.

Do not stop asthma medication or CIU without consulting your doctor. Your condition may get worse if your asthma medication or CIU is suddenly stopped. Any reduction in drugs (such as corticosteroids, antihistamines) should be done gradually, under the supervision of a doctor.

How to store omalizumab?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Omalizumab dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of omalizumab for adults?

Dosage for Asthma (Treatment Therapy) in adults
150-300 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks or 225-375 mg every 2 weeks, depending on the IgE level before treatment and the patient's weight.

What is the dose of omalizumab for children?

Dosage for Asthma (Treatment Therapy) in children
Age> 12 years: 150-300 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks or 225-375 mg every 2 weeks, depending on the pre-treatment IgE level and the patient's body weight.

In what dosage is omalizumab available?

Injection, lyophilized powder for solution: 202.5 mg (150 mg per 1.2 ml after recovery).

Omalizumab side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to omalizumab?

Some people using omalizumab have reported having a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction to this drug, either right after the injection or several hours later. Allergic reactions can occur even after using the drug regularly for a year or more.

Seek medical help immediately if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction:

wheezing sound, tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing
hives or skin rash
feeling anxious or dizzy, fainting
warmth and tingling under your skin; or
swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
Other serious side effects include easy bruising or bleeding, numbness, or unusual weakness.

Milder side effects, including:

pain
headache, tired feeling
muscle or joint pain
dizzy
earache
hair loss
mild itching or skin rash
sore throat or flu symptoms; or
redness, bruising, warmth, burning, stinging, itching, pain, or swelling on your skin where the injection was given

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Omalizumab Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using omalizumab?

Before receiving Omalizumab injection,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any drugs or elements found in omalizumad injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the Health Instructions for a list of the ingredients in omalizumab.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription drugs, as well as vitamins, and nutritional supplements and herbal products you are currently using or intending to use. Be sure to mention one of the following: allergy shots (a series of injections that are given regularly to prevent the body from developing an allergic reaction to certain substances) and medicines that suppress your immune system. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or watch you carefully for side effects that can occur
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had cancer
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using the omalizumab injection, call your doctor.
discuss with your doctor about the possible risks that you will have hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, or threadworm infection (infection of worms that live in the body). Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any type of infection caused by worms. If you are at high risk of getting an infection, using an omalizumab injection can increase your chances of becoming infected. Your doctor will watch you carefully during and after your treatment.

Is omalizumab safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

A = Not at risk
B = No risk in several studies
C = May be risky
D = There is positive evidence of risk
X = Contraindicated
N = Unknown

Omalizumab Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with omalizumab?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Can food or alcohol interact with omalizumab?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with omalizumab?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, specifically:

asthma attack
acute bronchospasm (breathing problems)
other allergic conditions (other than asthma) - should not be used for patients with these conditions
cancer, or a history of cancer
parasitic infection - use with caution. This medicine may make your condition worse