PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - K. -M. Beeh
TI  - Which patients should be treated with anti-IgE?
AID  - 10.1183/09059180.00010405
DP  - 2007 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Review
PG  - 85--87
VI  - 16
IP  - 104
4099  - http://err.ersjournals.com/content/16/104/85.short
4100  - http://err.ersjournals.com/content/16/104/85.full
SO  - EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW2007 Sep 01; 16
AB  - In the European Union, omalizumab is indicated as add-on therapy to improve asthma control in adult and adolescent patients (≥12 yrs of age) with severe persistent allergic asthma who have a positive skin test or in vitro reactivity to a perennial aeroallergen, and who, despite receiving daily high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and a long-acting β2-agonist, have the following characteristics: reduced lung function (forced expiratory volume in one second <80%); frequent daytime symptoms or night-time awakenings; and multiple documented severe asthma exacerbations. Omalizumab is indicated for patients with baseline total immunoglobulin E levels of 30–700 IU·mL−1. Patients who receive omalizumab should be assessed by their physician after 16 weeks and treatment continued only if there has been a marked improvement in asthma control. Omalizumab is administered by subcutaneous injection every 2 or 4 weeks at a dosage determined using a dosing table based on the patient's pre-treatment serum total immunoglobulin E levels and body weight.