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New FDA Approved Food Allergy Treatment

Writer's picture: Topanga ScherfTopanga Scherf

What We Know

Friday, February 16th, 2024 the FDA approved Xolair which is a drug that can be used to help reduce severe allergic reactions to certain foods in the case of an accidental exposure. This is the very first drug that can be used to treat multiple allergens, unlike Palforzia, which is only used to help those with a peanut allergy.

The FDA made it very clear that this is not a cure for food allergies. Xolair is a drug that is a preventative measure and is not used during an allergic reaction. Patients using Xolair should be getting repeat injections of the drug every 2-4 weeks in order to minimize the risk of severe allergic reactions. This is not a replacement for Epi-Pens and should not be used in the case of anaphylaxis. Side effects for Xolair include fever as well as reactions at the injection site. Additional warnings and precautions given by the FDA include: “anaphylaxis, malignancy, fever, joint pain, rash, parasitic (worm) infection and abnormal laboratory tests.” Because of the risk for anaphylaxis, Xolair may only be administered in a healthcare setting where anaphylaxis can be treated.

It is said that the cost of the drug will range from $2,900 for children to $5,000 for adults monthly. This cost may be brought down with insurance. For reference, an Epi-Pen without insurance may cost between $650 and $750.

My Thoughts

This is definitely a really exciting update and I’m hopeful for what this can mean for people living with food allergies. Xolair has the potential to really be a game changer especially when it comes to people who are affected by cross contamination. While people with allergies are still supposed to avoid the food they are allergic to while using Xolair accidents do unfortunately happen and cross-contamination has been the culprit of some of my own allergic reactions. With Xolair it’s possible that people will not have severe allergic reactions and can prevent anaphylaxis from occurring!

There are a few different allergy treatment options out there and what I appreciate about this one is that you don’t have to actually eat the allergen. Treatment options like Allergen Immunotherapy require participants to slowly, over time build up a tolerance to the allergen by exposing themselves to it regularly. For a lot of people with food allergies this can be scary because they’ve created a fear in their minds around eating the allergen.

For example, I won’t eat any pesto, ever. The first time I had pesto I was about 16 and didn’t see that the label said the pesto had cashews in it. That accident resulted in one of my scariest allergic reactions and I ended up having to go to the emergency room and received epinephrine. So when I think about eating pesto again, I remember the hives, how shaky I was, not being able to catch my breath as I was throwing up. I’m afraid of eating pesto and what might happen if I do. I don’t even want to eat pesto that doesn’t have cashews in it. That’s what makes allergen immunotherapy so challenging for some people. So while I’ve considered it, I’ve never done it. It’s a big hurdle to get past. This is what makes Xolair so unique and exciting. For me, there is less fear since I don’t have to build up a tolerance to the allergen.

Right now the biggest problem I’m seeing with Xolair is the cost. This isn’t a new challenge for people with food allergies because the conversation about the cost of Epi-Pens has been going on for some time now. August 2023 the Illinois Governor, J.B. Pritzker, signed a Bill that would cap the cost of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors in the state at $60. This is something I would love to see happen in California! Epi-Pens are life saving and right now the cost of them is preventing people from accessing them.

If you’re interested in learning more about Xolair be sure to read what the FDA has released on Xolair and how the drug was approved!


References

FDA Approves First Medication to Help Reduce Allergic Reactions to Multiple Foods After Accidental Exposure. (2024, February 16). U.S. Food & Drug Administration . Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-medication-help-reduce-allergic-reactions-multiple-foods-after-accidental. 

GoodRx. (n.d.). How much is an epipen? learn about the costs and 4 ways to save. GoodRx. https://www.goodrx.com/epinephrine-epipen/how-to-save-cost# 

Kim, J. (2024, February 18). FDA approves a drug to treat severe food allergies, including milk, eggs and nuts. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2024/02/18/1232304606/fda-approval-food-allergies-xolair 

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