Biologic Therapy Clinic

Biologic therapies are targeted antibody treatments that block a specific step in the allergic or inflammatory pathway. They are used for severe asthma, chronic hives and nasal polyps that have not responded to standard treatment, and are given as an injection or a supervised infusion every few weeks. At Allergy Asthma Foundation it is carried out by an experienced team using current equipment and protocols, with clear information given before, during and after so that you know what to expect at every stage.

This page explains why the procedure is done, how to prepare, what happens on the day, and what recovery and follow-up involve. Your own consultant will go through the details that apply to your situation and answer any questions before you agree to go ahead.

Why it is done

Biologic therapy is usually recommended for one or more of the following reasons:

• Severe asthma still causing flare-ups despite high-dose inhalers
• Frequent courses of steroid tablets for asthma or hives
• Chronic spontaneous urticaria not controlled by antihistamines
• Nasal polyps that keep recurring after surgery
• A blood or breath test pattern that predicts a good response to a particular biologic

It is only offered when the expected benefit clearly outweighs the risks, and the decision is always made together with you. If a simpler test or treatment would answer the question or relieve the problem, that is tried first.

How to prepare

• Bring your current medicines, your adrenaline auto-injector if you have one, and any record of previous doses or reactions.
• Take your usual asthma preventer and other regular medicines unless told otherwise.
• Do not have the treatment if you are unwell with a fever or an asthma flare on the day — call to rearrange.
• Avoid heavy exercise, a hot bath or alcohol for a few hours before and after.
• Plan to stay in the department for a period of monitoring after each dose.

What happens on the day

1. Baseline blood tests, breathing tests and a symptom score are recorded before the first dose.
2. The first dose is given in the day unit and you are observed afterwards.
3. Later doses are given as an injection — in the clinic or, once stable, at home — or as an infusion.
4. At each visit your symptoms, inhaler use and any side effects are reviewed.
5. Response is formally assessed after about four months to decide whether to continue.

After the procedure

Most people have no more than a sore arm after an injection. If the dose is an infusion you will be in the day unit for a few hours. Normal activity can resume the same day.

You will be given written instructions covering activity, wound or puncture-site care where relevant, which medicines to restart and when, and the warning signs that mean you should contact us or attend the emergency department. A follow-up appointment or a phone review is arranged before you leave.

Benefits and risks

The main benefit is a clear answer or effective treatment that changes what happens next — a firm diagnosis, a blocked passage reopened, symptoms brought under control, or a condition safely monitored over time. For most people the procedure is straightforward and complications are uncommon.

No procedure is entirely without risk. The ones to be aware of for this treatment include:

• Injection-site or infusion reactions
• Headache, joint aches or a higher chance of minor infections
• Uncommonly, a hypersensitivity reaction, which is why early doses are supervised
• The possibility that the treatment does not work well enough to justify continuing

The team is trained and equipped to recognise and manage these, and the consent discussion covers how likely each is in your case and what is done to reduce it.

Results and follow-up

Success is measured against the baseline scores — fewer flare-ups, less steroid use, better breathing tests and quality of life — and treatment is only continued if that improvement is clear. Your consultant explains what the result means in the context of your symptoms and examination, and sets out the next step — reassurance and discharge, a change of treatment, a further test, or a planned review. With your consent a summary is sent to your family doctor so that everyone caring for you is working from the same plan.

Questions patients ask

Do I need a referral?

You can book a consultation directly to discuss whether biologic therapy is right for you. The procedure itself is arranged by the consultant after that discussion, once you have had time to consider it.

Will it hurt?

Discomfort is kept to a minimum with local anaesthetic, sedation or pain relief as appropriate to the procedure. The team will tell you exactly what you are likely to feel and will stop or pause if you need them to.

How long will I be at the hospital?

Most people are in and out within a few hours; where an overnight stay or a longer recovery is expected, that is explained clearly when the procedure is booked so you can plan around it.

To arrange biologic therapy at your nearest AAF centre, book a consultation online or request a callback. Please bring a list of your current medicines and any previous test results or discharge summaries.