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Is Xolair an immunosuppressant?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 23, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Xolair (omalizumab) is an antibody that may be used to treat allergic asthma that is:

Xolair is also approved to treat:

Xolair is administered by injection under the skin (subcutaneously) once every two to four weeks. The dosage of Xolair is based on body weight.

How does Xolair work?

Xolair works by inhibiting the binding of IgE to IgE receptors on mast cells and basophils. Mast cells and basophils are specific cells of the immune system that contain histamine and heparin.

As soon as IgE binds to an IgE receptor it causes the release of histamine and heparin from the cell. Histamine is a chemical that has many inflammatory effects in the body. It contracts the smooth muscle tissue in the lungs, uterus, and stomach; dilates blood vessels causing an increase in permeability and a lowering of blood pressure; stimulates the secretion of gastric acid in the stomach; and speeds up the heart rate.

Xolair forms stable Xolair/IgE complexes which are more slowly excreted from the body than free IgE. This means that total serum IgE levels (bound and unbound) will show an increase in laboratory testing; however, free IgE levels are decreased within an hour of injection, and decreases of greater than 96% have been reported.

Related questions

Does Xolair lower immunity?

Because Xolair works on the allergic arm of the immune system, it does not appear to compromise the immune system like traditional immunosuppressants, such as prednisone and cyclosporine.

Xolair is not associated with an increased risk of infection nor increase the risk for COVID-19. However, Xolair is associated with other side effects, such as pain, including joint pain and leg pain, dizziness, fatigue, and a higher risk of cancer of the breast, skin, prostate, and parotid gland (incidence of 0.5% compared to 0.2% in those taking placebo).

References

Read next

Does Xolair cause weight gain?

There were no reports of weight gain or weight loss in clinical trials with Xolair. Weight gain is more likely to be caused by corticosteroids, hydroxyzine, or antihistamines that may also be used to treat allergic asthma or hives. Continue reading

What is omalizumab's mechanism of action?

The omalizumab mechanism of action is designed to target IgE (immunoglobulin E), an antibody produced by the immune system. It works by inhibiting the binding of the IgE antibody to IgE receptors on cells that can lead to inflammation and worsened allergic symptoms. Continue reading

Can Xolair be self-administered at home?

Yes, you or your caregiver can learn how to give Xolair at home if you and your doctor agree that self-injection is appropriate. For children 12 years of age and older, the Xolair prefilled syringe or autoinjector may be self-injected under adult supervision. For children 1 to 11 years of age, only the Xolair prefilled syringe should be used and injected by a caregiver, as the autoinjector is not intended for this age group. Continue reading

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