Xolair is a medication for allergic asthma. It works by blocking immunoglobulin E (IgE), a naturally occurring substance in the body that in some people, can cause a series of chemical reactions that may lead to asthma symptoms and attacks. However, despite its being in the market for a few years now, it still has to gain the popularity of other anti-allergy drugs, probably because of its costs or because it has to be administered in a doctor's clinic. A few months ago, the FDA also requested its manufacturer, Genentech, to add a boxed warning and strengthen its label warning on the packaging regarding the potential for the delayed onset of anaphylaxis as a side effect.

Despite of these, experts still consider Xolair as a breakthrough in the treatment of allergic asthma.

Do you have allergic asthma? Is Xolair the right treatment for you? Here are the most frequently asked questions about Xolair. If you think this could be something for you, talk to your allergist.