FDA finds new use for asthma medications, they can help a lot of people

The US Food and Drug Administration has granted approval for a drug named Xolair, aimed at reducing the intensity of unintended allergic reactions in individuals with allergies to various foods. Initially approved in 2003 for managing moderate to severe persistent allergic asthma in specific patients, Xolair is a product of collaborative development and marketing efforts by Genentech and Novartis in the United States.

For those living with food allergies, attending social events can be fraught with anxiety, not knowing if dishes contain allergens like peanuts or eggs. Making the choice between risking an allergic reaction or skipping meals altogether is all too familiar.

In the United States, around 17 million people suffer from food allergies severe enough to trigger potentially life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

Xolair, previously prescribed to treat allergic asthma, has now received FDA approval to help prevent severe allergic reactions to food in patients starting from the age of one. This monoclonal antibody works by targeting IgE, an antibody responsible for initiating allergic reactions.

A recent trial showed promising results, with 68% of participants with peanut allergies tolerating approximately half a teaspoon of peanut protein, a significant improvement over the 6% who received a placebo.

Sources: Reuters; The New York Times