Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. announced today that Health Canada has approved the use of Xolair (omalizumab) as a treatment of adults and adolescents (12 years of age and above) with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) who remain symptomatic despite H1-antihistamine treatment. The approved doses are 150 mg and 300 mg by subcutaneous injection every four weeks. 

"Chronic idiopathic urticaria, commonly known as hives or chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) occurs without known cause or warning. This debilitating immunologic skin disease is largely unknown by Canadians and healthcare professionals which makes it difficult to diagnose and challenging to treat. CIU or CSU significantly interferes with every aspect of a person’s life including the way they sleep, eat, work, and interact with others. Increasing awareness of complexities associated with skin autoimmune diseases like or and their daily i pact with a poor overall uality of life is very i portant, said Dr. Gordon Sussman, MD, FRCPC, Allergist and Clinical Immunologist.

For more details, go to: http://www.novartis.ca/cs/www.novartis.ca-v2/downloads/en/News/Novartis_Canada-Xolair_CIU_NOC_Press_Release-Final_08-28-14.pdf