Insurance is now a part of our lives, especially health care providers.  Expensive medications such as omalizumab (Xolair™) are rarely approved for use unless patients and physicians complete an extensive application for benefits.  Here is a list of medical articles that support the use of Omalizumab in the treatment of asthma:

1.  Storms, W, et al.  Omalizumab and asthma control in patients with moderate-to-severe allergic asthma: A 6-year pragmatic data review.  Allergy and Asthma Proceedings 2012 33:172-177.

• Proven fewer symptoms of asthma
• Less need for rescue medication
• Burst of steroids decreased from 5.1 to 1.1 in the 12 months of the study
• ACT scores improved by 58% in the first year
• Fewer hospitalizations

What other medication do we have available that produces these results without the use of oral steroids?  But don’t take it from me, see for yourself.