Are Biologics Right For You?
Biologics are injectable medications used to treat patients with asthma, eczema, nasal polyps, chronic hives, and other conditions. Biologics are genetically-engineered medications made from the cells of living organisms that modify the part of the immune system that is causing symptoms. This reduces the inflammation that drives these conditions. They have been enormously beneficial for patients who have been suffering from severe asthma or eczema, or for those who have been dealing with itchy, dry, painful skin due to eczema. Studies have also shown biologics to be very safe.
- Asthma: The four biologics we use for asthma are Xolair, Fasenra, Nucala, and Dupixent. They all have different requirements for approval, and they are used when patients are still having asthma symptoms despite consistent use of high dose asthma medications. Symptoms of asthma include frequent wheezing, shortness of breath, or coughing; waking up at night due to shortness of breath; using albuterol several times a week; several courses of oral steroids due to flare ups; and frequent ER or urgent care visits due to poor asthma control. These medications are approved from ages 12 and up for asthma.
- Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (Hives): Xolair can also be used to treat chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives) in adults and children twelve years and older. This treatment is for individuals who continue to have hives that are not controlled by high dose antihistamine treatment and that do not have a known cause or trigger of hives that can be treated (such as thyroid abnormalities).
- Eczema: Dupixent can be used in patients 12 or older for eczema that is not well controlled with consistent lotion regimen, topical steroid use, and non-steroidal creams such as Protopic, Elidel, and Eucrisa. These patients tend to have severe eczema that covers a significant portion of their body and are at higher risk of skin infections.
- Nasal Polyps: Dupixent, Nucala, Fasenra, and Xolair can all be used for adult patients with nasal polyps that are not well controlled with nasal steroid sprays. These patients are chronically congested and often complain of a lack of smell or taste, inability to breathe through their nose, and frequent headaches/sinus pressure. This is an option that can be used to avoid surgery or prevent recurrent sinus infections from nasal polyps.