Omalizumab for Moderate Persistent Asthma

Indication and Appropriateness

• The patient meets criteria for moderate persistent asthma and continues to have symptoms despite appropriate controller medications, supporting the use of omalizumab as an add-on therapy 2, 3
• The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends omalizumab as add-on therapy for steps 5 and 6 of asthma management when symptoms remain uncontrolled despite high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting beta agonists 2, 3

Dosing and Administration

• Administration of omalizumab should be performed in a healthcare setting by a healthcare provider trained to recognize and treat anaphylaxis, as recommended by the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 4

Clinical Evidence Supporting Use

• The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) guidelines recommend omalizumab as add-on therapy for patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma whose symptoms are inadequately controlled with standard therapy 2, 3
• Omalizumab is effective in reducing asthma exacerbations in patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma, as evidenced by clinical trials 2, 5

Safety Considerations

• The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends that patients be observed for an appropriate period after administration of omalizumab and be prescribed an epinephrine autoinjector and trained in its use 4
• Anaphylaxis is a serious risk associated with omalizumab, which can occur after any dose, and patients should be monitored accordingly 4