Omalizumab for the treatment of chronic urticaria

Urticaria is a common and often debilitating dermatological condition defined by the sudden appearance of wheals, angioedema or both. It is further classified into specific subtypes based on duration and specific triggers. Awareness and understanding of urticaria are important to ensure a correct initial diagnosis and initiate appropriate guideline-based treatment outlining a stepwise approach. However, in chronic urticaria, approximately 50% of patients are refractory to the first step, the use of licensed doses of second-generation H1-antihistamines. If the second step, an increase in the dose of the second-generation H1-antihistamines, is also not successful, in the third step omalizumab (Xolair™, Novartis Pharma AG(©)/Genentech, Inc.(©)), an anti-IgE therapy, is recommended as an add-on. Of all alternative treatments mentioned in the guidelines, omalizumab is currently the only licensed treatment for H1-antihistamine-refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria, has a favorable risk/benefit ratio and was well tolerated in clinical studies.