FDA approves 1st-of-its-kind treatment for severe food allergies

People with severe allergies to foods like milk, peanuts and shellfish will have a new way to ward off dangerous reactions after accidental exposure to the foods.

Xolair was previously approved to treat other conditions, including allergic asthma, but its newest approval means it can now be used to guard against allergic reactions caused by multiple food triggers. Xolair, by contrast, is injected every two to four weeks as a preventive measure to help people build tolerance to allergens and thus reduce the severity of their allergic reactions if they are exposed.

The researchers found that 68% of those who received Xolair were able to consume a dose of peanut protein without moderate to severe symptoms, such as whole-body hives or vomiting. That's compared with only 6% of the placebo group. The researchers also saw similar rates of improvement when it came to people's reactions to cashews, milk and eggs.

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