When every bite matters: Understanding life with food allergies

(BPT) - Sponsored by XOLAIR^® (omalizumab)

Intended for US audiences only

At her second birthday party, Skylar was picking chocolate candies out of a bowl of trail mix when she suddenly broke out in full-body hives - the first sign of a peanut allergy that would shape much of her life. Today, she's channeling two decades of food vigilance into a career in allergy medicine.

By the time she was four, Skylar was already advocating for herself. When a well-meaning family member offered her a snack containing peanuts, she immediately turned it down before her parents could step in. "Speaking up was how I stayed safe, and I knew this from an early age," Skylar said.

She also found ways to view the daily challenges with food allergies with an optimistic lens. In elementary school, she proudly called the "nut-free table" the "VIP table." She could even bring a friend. "I thought it was the coolest table in the room," she said.

As Skylar got older, food became a bigger part of her social life, bringing her allergy into even sharper focus.

Birthday parties, school events, dinners with friends - situations many kids navigate without a second thought - required extra planning.

She specifically remembers being invited to a friend's birthday dinner as a child. "My friend's mom promised that the restaurant could handle my allergy," Skylar recalled. "I ended up having a reaction to food I was accidentally exposed to and had to leave immediately to receive treatment."

As a teenager, dating brought new challenges. "There were times when a date ended with a trip to the emergency room. Definitely not the ending I had in mind!" she said with a laugh.

Still, she built a supportive community and found ways to safely participate in activities she cared about.

"My friends have always been amazing. But there are times I skip events if I'm not sure the food is safe," she explained. "Certain restaurants use nuts more often, so I call ahead and ask questions. If I'm not comfortable with the answers, I'll just stay home or meet up with friends after."

Years later, while working in allergy research, Skylar began learning about how food allergy science has evolved.

She's currently applying to medical schools to become a board-certified allergist so she can help others like herself.

What is a food allergy?

About 17 million people in the U.S. have a food allergy, which is a serious disease where the body's immune system overreacts to certain foods[1],[2]. Food allergies are either immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated or non-IgE-mediated[3].

Symptoms of an IgE-mediated food allergy, ranging from mild itching to serious reactions like anaphylaxis, usually occur minutes to hours after exposure to the allergen[4]. The gastrointestinal symptoms of non-IgE-mediated allergies usually occur up to several hours after exposure[5].

There are more than 160 foods that can cause IgE-mediated food allergies, but the most common food allergens in the U.S. are peanuts, milk, tree nuts, shellfish, eggs, fish, wheat, soy, and sesame. Food allergies can develop at any age but often begin in the first two years of life[6].

More than 40% of children and more than half of adults with food allergies have experienced a severe reaction at least once[7],[8]. It is estimated that food-related anaphylaxis results in 30,000 medical events treated in emergency rooms in the U.S. each year[9],[10],[11].

Treatment advances for food allergies

While avoiding those food allergens is still required, there are treatments such as Xolair^® (omalizumab) that may be used to help reduce the risk of allergic reactions in the event of accidental exposure.

In February 2024, the FDA approved Xolair for the reduction of IgE-mediated allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, that may occur with accidental exposure to one or more foods[12].

While taking Xolair, you should continue to avoid all foods to which you are allergic. It is not known if Xolair is safe and effective in children with food allergy under one year of age. Xolair should not be used for the emergency treatment of any allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.

The importance of speaking with an allergist

Right after the FDA approval of Xolair for food allergies, Skylar spoke with her allergist about the evolving treatment landscape, and together they decided it was a good treatment option for her.

"I still avoid my allergens and carry epinephrine, but Xolair has changed the way I look at my food allergy," Skylar said. "Seeing how treatments are evolving is also part of what motivates me to become an allergist - so I can help others manage their food allergies too."

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with food allergies, talk to your allergist and ask about Xolair. You can also find more information at Xolair.com.

Indication:

What is XOLAIR?

XOLAIR^® (omalizumab) for subcutaneous use is an injectable prescription medicine used to treat food allergy in people 1 year of age and older to reduce allergic reactions that may occur after accidentally eating one or more foods to which you are allergic. While taking XOLAIR you should continue to avoid all foods to which you are allergic. It is not known if XOLAIR is safe and effective in people with food allergy under 1 year of age.

XOLAIR should not be used for the emergency treatment of any allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION & INDICATION

What is the most important information I should know about XOLAIR?

Severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can happen when you receive XOLAIR. The reaction can occur after the first dose, or after many doses. It may also occur right after a XOLAIR injection or days later. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition and can lead to death. Go to the nearest emergency room right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction:

• wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness, or trouble breathing
• low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, rapid or weak heartbeat, anxiety, or feeling of "impending doom"
• flushing, itching, hives, or feeling warm
• swelling of the throat or tongue, throat tightness, hoarse voice, or trouble swallowing

Your healthcare provider will monitor you closely for symptoms of an allergic reaction while you are receiving XOLAIR and for a period of time after treatment is initiated. Your healthcare provider should talk to you about getting medical treatment if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Do not receive and use XOLAIR if youare allergic to omalizumab or any of the ingredients in XOLAIR.

Before receiving XOLAIR, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have a latex allergy or any other allergies (such as seasonal allergies). The needle cap on the XOLAIR prefilled syringe contains a type of natural rubber latex.
• have sudden breathing problems (bronchospasm)
• have ever had a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis
• have or have had a parasitic infection
• have or have had cancer
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if XOLAIR may harm your unborn baby
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XOLAIR passes into your breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while you receive and use XOLAIR

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take,including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

How should I receive and use XOLAIR?

• When starting treatment, XOLAIR should be given by your healthcare provider in a healthcare setting.
• If your healthcare provider decides that you or a caregiver may be able to give your own XOLAIR prefilled syringe or autoinjector injections, you should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject XOLAIR.
• Do not try to inject XOLAIR until you have been shown the right way to give XOLAIR prefilled syringe or autoinjector injections by a healthcare provider. Use XOLAIR exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• The XOLAIR autoinjector (all doses) is intended for use only in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older. For children 12 years of age and older, XOLAIR prefilled syringe or autoinjector may be self-injected under adult supervision. For children 1 to 11 years of age, XOLAIR prefilled syringe should be injected by a caregiver.
• See the detailed Instructions for Use that comes with XOLAIR for information on the right way to prepare and inject XOLAIR.
• XOLAIR is given in 1 or more injections under the skin (subcutaneous), 1 time every 2 or 4 weeks.
• In people with food allergy, a blood test for a substance called IgE must be performed before starting XOLAIR to determine the appropriate dose and dosing frequency.
• Do not decrease or stop taking any of your food allergy medicine or allergen immunotherapy, unless your healthcare providers tell you to.
• You may not see improvement in your symptoms right away after XOLAIR treatment. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your healthcare provider.
• If you inject more XOLAIR than prescribed, call your healthcare provider right away.

What are the possible side effects of XOLAIR?

XOLAIR may cause serious side effects, including:

• Cancer.Cases of cancer were observed in some people who received XOLAIR.
• Fever, muscle aches, and rash.Some people get these symptoms 1 to 5 days after receiving a XOLAIR injection. If you have any of these symptoms, tell your healthcare provider.
• Parasitic infection. Some people who are at a high risk for parasite (worm) infections, get a parasite infection after receiving XOLAIR. Your healthcare provider can test your stool to check if you have a parasite infection.
• Heart and circulation problems. Some people who receive XOLAIR have had chest pain, heart attack, blood clots in the lungs or legs, or temporary symptoms of weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, or altered vision. It is not known whether these are caused by XOLAIR.

The most common side effects of XOLAIR in people with food allergy:injection site reactions and fever.

These are not all the possible side effects of XOLAIR. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555 or Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation at (888) 669-6682.

Please see fullPrescribing Information, includingMedication Guide, for additional Important Safety Information andInstructions for Use.

The news, reports, views and opinions of authors (or source) expressed are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of CRWE World.