FDA Approves First Medication to Help Reduce Allergic Reactions to Multiple Foods After Accidental Exposure

Andrew@andrew.masto.host to News@lemmy.world – 52 points –

FDA Approves First Medication to Help Reduce Allergic Reactions to Multiple Foods After Accidental Exposure

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-medication-help-reduce-allergic-reactions-multiple-foods-after-accidental

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What is the advantage of this over an epi pen? The article doesn't really say.

There's an NPR article Here

The TL;DR is

The medication is not intended for use during an allergic reaction. Instead, it is designed to be taken repeatedly every few weeks to help reduce the risk of reactions over time. The FDA said people taking the drug should continue to avoid foods they are allergic to.

So it seems to be along the lines of the pre exposure desensitization regimens.

It's been available for a while for treatment of allergic asthma and nasal polyps. It's a monoclonal antibody that binds with free Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that are responsible for directing allergic reactions.

Xolair is intended for repeated use to reduce the risk of allergic reactions and is not approved for the immediate emergency treatment of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.