XOLAIR (omalizumab)
Prefilled Syringe and Auto-injector: Self-Administration – injectable
Vial for reconstitution: Medical Administration – injectable
Diagnosis considered for coverage:
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Indicated for moderate to severe persistent asthma in adults and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with a positive skin test or in vitro reactivity to a perennial aeroallergen and symptoms that are inadequately controlled with inhaled corticosteroids
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Indicated for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in adult patients 18 years of age and older with inadequate response to nasal corticosteroids, as add-on maintenance treatment
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Indicated for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older who remain symptomatic despite H1 antihistamine treatment
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Indicated for the reduction of allergic reactions (Type I), including anaphylaxis, that may occur with accidental exposure to one or more foods in adult and pediatric patients aged 1 year and older with IgE-mediated food allergy
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Limitations of Use:
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Not indicated for acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus
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Not indicated for other allergic conditions or other forms of urticaria
- Not indicated for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis
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Coverage Criteria:
For diagnosis of allergic asthma:
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Dose does not exceed 375 mg every 2 weeks (dose is based on serum total IgE level measure before the start of treatment and by body weight); AND
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Documented diagnosis of moderate to severe persistent allergic asthma; AND
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Prescribed by or in consultation with a pulmonologist or allergist/immunologist; AND
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Positive skin test or in vitro reactivity to a perennial aeroallergen; AND
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One of the following (a or b):
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Both of the following:
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Patient is 12 years of age or older
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Pre-treatment serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E level between 30-700 IU/mL; OR
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Both of the following:
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Patient is 6 years to less than 12 years of age
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Pre-treatment serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E level between 30-1300 IU/mL; AND
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Patient has paid claims or is currently being treated with ONE of the following, unless there is a contraindication or intolerance to these medications (a or b):
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Both of the following:
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High-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) (e.g., greater than 500 mcg fluticasone propionate equivalent/day)
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Additional asthma controller medication (e.g., leukotriene receptor antagonist, long-acting beta-2 agonist [LABA],tiotropium); OR
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One maximally-dosed combination ICS/LABA product (e.g., Advair [fluticasone propionate/salmeterol], Symbicort [budesonide/formoterol], Breo Ellipta [fluticasone/vilanterol]); AND
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Will not be used in combination with other biologic medications for severe asthma (e.g., Cinqair (reslizumab), Fasenra (benralizumab), Dupixent (dupilumab), or Nucala (mepolizumab))
For diagnosis of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU):
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Dose does not exceed 300 mg every 4 weeks; AND
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Diagnosis of chronic idiopathic urticaria; AND
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Patient is 12 years of age or older; AND
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Prescribed by or in consultation with an allergist/immunologist or dermatologist; AND
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Persistent symptoms (itching and hives) for at least 4 consecutive weeks despite titrating to an optimal dose with a second-generation H1 antihistamine (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine), unless there is a contraindication or intolerance to H1 antihistamines; AND
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Used concurrently with an H1 antihistamine, unless there is a contraindication or intolerance to H1 antihistamines; AND
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Patient has tried and had an inadequate response or intolerance to at least TWO of the following additional therapies:
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Doxepin
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H1 antihistamine
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H2 antagonist (e.g., famotidine, cimetidine)
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Hydroxyzine
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Leukotriene receptor antagonist (e.g., montelukast); AND
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Will not be used in combination with Cinqair, Fasenra, Dupixent, or Nucala
For diagnosis of nasal polyps:
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Dose does not exceed 600 mg every 4 weeks (dose is based on serum total IgE level measure before the start of treatment and by body weight); AND
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Diagnosis of nasal polyps; AND
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Patient is 18 years of age or older; AND
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Prescribed by or in consultation with an allergist/immunologist, otolaryngologist, or pulmonologist; AND
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Unless contraindicated, the patient has had an inadequate response to 2 months of treatment with an intranasal corticosteroid (e.g., fluticasone, mometasone); AND
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Used in combination with another agent for nasal polyps (e.g., intranasal corticosteroid); AND
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Will not be used in combination with Cinqair, Fasenra, Dupixent, or Nucala
For diagnosis of IgE-mediated food allergy:
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Patient is 1 year of age or older; AND
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Prescribed by or in conjunction with an allergist/immunologist; AND
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One of the following:
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Both of the following:
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Diagnosis of IgE Mediated Food Allergy as evidenced by one of the following:
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Positive skin prick test (defined as greater than or equal to 4 mm wheal greater than saline control) to food
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Positive food specific IgE (greater than or equal to 6 kUA/L)
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Positive oral food challenge, defined as experiencing dose-limiting symptoms at a single dose of less than or equal to 300 mg of food protein
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Clinical history of IgE Mediated Food Allergy
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Provider attestation that patient has a history of severe allergic response, including anaphylaxis, following exposure to one or more foods; AND
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Baseline (pre-Xolair treatment) serum total IgE level is greater than or equal to 30 IU/mL and less than or equal to 1850 IU/mL; AND
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Dosing is according to serum total IgE levels and body weight
Reauthorization Criteria:
For diagnosis of allergic asthma:
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Dose does not exceed 375 mg every 2 weeks; AND
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Prescribed by or in consultation with a pulmonologist or allergist/immunologist; AND
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Documentation of positive clinical response to therapy (e.g., reduction in exacerbations, improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], decreased use of rescue medications); AND
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Patient continues to be treated with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) (e.g., fluticasone, budesonide) with or without additional asthma controller medication (e.g., leukotriene receptor antagonist [e.g., montelukast], long-acting beta-2 agonist [LABA] [e.g., salmeterol], tiotropium) unless there is a contraindication or intolerance to these medications; AND
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Will not be used in combination with other biologic medications for severe asthma (e.g., Cinqair (reslizumab), Fasenra (benralizumab), Dupixent (dupilumab), or Nucala (mepolizumab))
For diagnosis of chronic idiopathic urticaria:
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Dose does not exceed 300 mg every 4 weeks; AND
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Prescribed by or in consultation with an allergist/immunologist or dermatologist; AND
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Patient’s disease status has been re-evaluated since the last authorization to confirm the patient’s condition warrants continued treatment; AND
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Patient has experienced at least one of the following:
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Reduction in itching severity from baseline, OR
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Reduction in number of hives from baseline; AND
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Will not be used in combination with Cinqair, Fasenra, Dupixent, or Nucala
For diagnosis of nasal polyps:
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Dose does not exceed 600 mg every 4 weeks; AND
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Prescribed by or in consultation with an allergist/immunologist, otolaryngologist, or pulmonologist; AND
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Documentation of a positive clinical response to therapy (e.g., reduction in nasal polyps score [NPS; 0-8 scale], improvement in nasal congestion/obstruction score [NCS; 0-3 scale]); AND
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Used in combination with another agent for nasal polyps (e.g., intranasal corticosteroid); AND
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Will not be used in combination with Cinqair, Fasenra, Dupixent, or Nucala
For diagnosis of IgE-mediated food allergy:
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Dosing will continue to be based on body weight and pretreatment total IgE serum levels; AND
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Prescribed by or in conjunction with an allergist/immunologist; AND
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Patient demonstrates positive clinical response to therapy (e.g., reduction of type 1 allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, following accidental exposure to one or more foods); AND
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Used in conjunction with food allergen avoidance
Coverage Duration:
For diagnosis of allergic asthma:
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Initial: 6 months
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Reauthorization: 1 year
For diagnosis of chronic idiopathic urticaria:
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Initial: 3 months
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Reauthorization: 6 months
For diagnosis of nasal polyps:
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Initial: 1 year
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Reauthorization: 1 year
For diagnosis of IgE-mediated food allergy:
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Initial: 6 months
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Reauthorization: 1 year
Dosing:
For diagnosis of allergic asthma:
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75 to 375 mg subcutaneous every 2 to 4 weeks
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Determine dose (mg) and dosing frequency by serum total IgE level (IU/mL), measured before the start of treatment, and body weight (kg). Refer to dose determination charts.
For diagnosis of chronic idiopathic urticaria:
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150 or 300 mg subcutaneous every 4 weeks
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Dosing is not dependent on serum IgE level or bodyweight
For diagnosis of nasal polyps:
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75 to 600 mg subcutaneous every 2 to 4 weeks
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Determine dose (mg) and dosing frequency by serum total IgE level (IU/mL), measured before the start of treatment, and body weight (kg).
For diagnosis of IgE-mediated food allergy:
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75 to 600 mg every 2 to 4 weeks
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Determine dose (mg) and dosing frequency by serum total IgE level (IU/mL), measured before the start of treatment, and body weight (kg)
Authorization is not covered for the following:
The use of this drug for indications not listed in this policy does not meet the coverage criteria established by the Western Health Advantage (WHA) Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee.
Additional Information:
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Administration:
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Initiate Xolair therapy in healthcare setting, closely observe patients for an appropriate period of time after administration and be prepared to manage anaphylaxis
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Xolair prefilled syringe
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Pediatric Patients 6 to 11 years of age: Xolair prefilled syringe should be administered by a caregiver
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Adolescents 12 years of age and older: Xolair prefilled syringe may be self-administered under adult supervision.
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Xolair Autoinjector
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Pediatric Patients 1 to 11 years of age: Xolair autoinjectors (all doses) are not intended for use in pediatric patients under 12 years of age
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Adolescents 12 years of age and older: Xolair autoinjector may be self-administered under adult supervision. The Xolair autoinjectors (all doses) are intended for use only in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older.
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The selection of patients for self-administration of Xolair should be based on criteria to mitigate risk from anaphylaxis.
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Healthcare providers should consider known risk factors for anaphylaxis to Xolair and mitigation strategies when selecting patients for self-administration. Patient-specific factors including the following criteria should be considered:
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Patient should have no prior history of anaphylaxis, including to Xolair or other agents, such as foods, drugs, biologics, etc.
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Patient should receive at least 3 doses of Xolair under the guidance of a healthcare provider with no hypersensitivity reactions
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Patient or caregiver is able to recognize symptoms of anaphylaxis
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Patient or caregiver is able to treat anaphylaxis appropriately
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Patient or caregiver is able to perform subcutaneous injections with Xolair prefilled syringe with proper technique according to the prescribed dosing regimen and Instructions for Use
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Policy Updates:
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9/1/2014 – Last reviewed
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2/2022 – Updated Xolair policy to include new indication and adding PA
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6/1/2023 – Criteria updated as a part of a class review for severe asthma medications
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9/1/2024 – Addition of Xolair autoinjector and new indication of IgE-mediated food allergy (P&T 08/20/2024) (P&T Meeting August)
References:
- Xolair Prescribing Information. Genentech, Inc. South San Francisco, CA. December 2020.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Asthma Education and Prevention Program. Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. National Institutes of Health Publication No.08-5846. Bethesda, MD, 2007. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/guidelines-for-diagnosis-management-of-asthma. Accessed January 9, 2020.
- Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention (2020 update). 2020 www.ginasthma.org. Accessed March 2021.
- Per clinical consult with asthma specialist, January 6, 2011.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Omalizumab for treating severe persistent allergic asthma (review of technology appraisal guidance 133 and 201). London (UK): National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); 2013 Apr. 64 p. (Technology appraisal guidance; no. 278). Available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta278/resources/omalizumab-for-treating-severe-persistent-allergic-asthma-pdf-82600619176645. Accessed January 9, 2020.
- Bernstein JA, Lang DM, Khan DA, et al. The diagnosis and management of acute and chronic urticaria: 2014 update. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;133(5):1270-7.
- DRUGDEX System [Internet database]. Greenwood Village, Colo: Thomson Micromedex. Updated periodically. Accessed March 11, 2021.
- Peters AT, Spector S, Hsu J, et al. Diagnosis and management of rhinosinusitis: a practice parameter update. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2014;113(4):347-85.
- Orlandi RR, Kingdom TT, Hwang PH, et al. International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: rhinosinusitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2016 Feb; Suppl 1:S22-209.
- A, Boyce J, Ass’ad A, Burks Wesley, A et al. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States: Report of the NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2010; 126(6): 1079-1378.
Last review date: September 1, 2024