Xolair, a drug already known and used for the treatment of asthma, is effective in preventing allergic reactions linked to several foods. The American Medicines Agency (FDA) authorized this treatment on February 16 for this specific use and for adults and children over one year old.
Xolair is considered safe, with the main associated side effects being fever and an injection site reaction. Food allergies are the cause of some 30,000 emergency room visits and 150 deaths each year in the U.S.