Guest guest Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 There are no " off brands " of Xolair but there can be " off-label " use of it, which means that a physician uses it for a purpose other than what the FDA has approved it for. In the case of Xolair, the FDA approved it for use in moderate to severe allergic asthma but many physicians are using it for other forms of severe allergy, e.g. severe allergic dermatitis or severe allergic sinusitis. In your case, your asthma qualifies you for use as " labelled " and your dermatitis may respond as well but only if its basis is allergic (involving IgE). But Xolair treatment for allergic dermatitis in the absence of asthma would be an off-label use. It's perfectly legitimate and legal for physicians to prescribe meds on an off-label basis and it is done frequently for a diagnosis different from what the drug was approved for by the FDA, in cases where there is a logical reason the drug would be expected to be effective for the off- label use. Fran --- In , " marieruffolo " <marieruffolo@...> wrote: > > What are " off brands " of Xolair? Is the dosage any different? I am on > 375 every 2 weeks for moderate asthma, but severe dermatitis (auto > immune) with extremely high levels of IgE. It's slowly helping, but I'm > curious if there are any plans to raise the dosages, since I noticed > many on this forum still have to take other meds., and the amount I > receive is no match for the total IgE swimming around (but better than > no X). Just curious. Thanks- > > Marie > > P.S. Still on 300 mg Cyclosporine (immunosuppresant) and just needed a > boost of the " evil candy " :-( > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 Thank yo so much for that informative reply, Dr. Fran:-) Marie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 I'm wondering if anyone is using Xolair for " off-label " use and if their insurance is paying for it? My 10 y/o son may start Xolair but it would be strictly for allergy use. Asthma is not a problem. When we talked to BC/BS they said it would depend on what the procedure & diagnosis code is. We go back to the allergist in 3 weeks and we will discuss it but I highly doubt the allergist can submit asthma as the diagnosis. If it isn't FDA approved for just allergies, I am betting insurance won't pay for it. I love my son and would do anything to help him but I can not afford $2000 to $4000 out of pocket once a month. --- In , " tiredofsteroids " <sitesee@...> wrote: > > There are no " off brands " of Xolair but there can be " off-label " use of > it, which means that a physician uses it for a purpose other than what > the FDA has approved it for. In the case of Xolair, the FDA approved it > for use in moderate to severe allergic asthma but many physicians are > using it for other forms of severe allergy, e.g. severe allergic > dermatitis or severe allergic sinusitis. In your case, your asthma > qualifies you for use as " labelled " and your dermatitis may respond as > well but only if its basis is allergic (involving IgE). But Xolair > treatment for allergic dermatitis in the absence of asthma would be an > off-label use. > > It's perfectly legitimate and legal for physicians to prescribe meds on > an off-label basis and it is done frequently for a diagnosis different > from what the drug was approved for by the FDA, in cases where there is > a logical reason the drug would be expected to be effective for the off- > label use. > > Fran > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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