1. Are monoclonal antibodies safe?
3. How long does my child need to be monitored when taking these drugs?
4. Can my child eat whatever they want once they take a monoclonal antibody?
2. Can my child ever stop taking monoclonal antibodies?
5. What steps should I take if my child does experience a food allergy reaction?
6. Are there benefits to monoclonal antibodies that go beyond a reduced allergy risk?
FAQs About Monoclonal Antibodies for Food Allergy Reactions
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Yes. So far, the safety profile of monoclonal antibodies is generally excellent. Aside from minor issues, such as pain and inflammation at the injection site, reported by study participants, the clinical trials haven’t found any evidence of negative reactions to omalizumab.
The OUtMATCH trial will study whether omalizumab can be used in the short term versus long term and still retain the same benefits. But it may be several years before that data is published, Sammon notes.
“How long [your child] would take these therapies for is unclear. It depends on the patient and the disease,” says Dr. Yu. “Antibodies don’t last forever, which is why they must be taken continuously to get the benefit from the therapy.”
Omalizumab does require extra observation for the first few doses, due to a small risk of an allergic reaction at the injection site. “After the initial doses, additional monitoring, such as labs, are not required unless determined otherwise by the healthcare provider,” says Sammon.
No. Monoclonal antibodies are simply a security net in the event your child is accidentally exposed to an allergen. “Omalizumab is not currently indicated to allow for ‘free eating’ of a food allergen,” Sammon stresses. “Depending on one’s risk factors, each patient may have different thresholds for a reaction, and it is still advised to continue avoidance for safety.”
Monoclonal antibodies are not a cure for food allergies or a replacement for epinephrine. Moderate-to-severe food allergy reactions should be treated immediately with epinephrine, which comes in both injectable and inhaled forms, depending on your child’s weight. “It is best to always review one’s allergy action plan with a board-certified allergist or local physician to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of a reaction and when to use epinephrine,” Sammon says.
Monoclonal antibodies can provide a significant reduction in anxiety around food in social settings. “This allows [children with allergies] to focus on the things that matter, such as fun conversations with peers and learning, versus worrying about an accidental food exposure or reaction,” says Sammon. “And monoclonal antibody therapies like omalizumab can certainly provide peace of mind to parents when their food-allergic kids go off to school.”
