The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first medication to reduce allergic reactions in people with food allergies, including life-threatening reactions.

Xolair, which has been used to treat asthma for two decades, recently received the green light from the FDA.

Those involved with the drug's development say Xolair will bring progress to the way food allergies are managed, since serious reactions can occur in some people after being exposed to just a trace amount of an allergen.

Patients take an injection of Xolair once every two to four weeks. If they accidentally eat a food they are allergic to, their reaction will be milder.

The medication inhibits the immune system's over reaction and release of histamines which obstruct airways.

Xolair's approval is based on clinical research that showed 68% of adult and pediatric food allergy patients on the medication could tolerate small amount of peanuts, milk, eggs and cashews without an allergic reaction.

Doctors say all patients with serious food allergies, even those on Xolair, are advised to continue to avoid food they are allergic to and keep a shot of epinephrine in reach in case of anaphylaxis.