An asthma drug has shown promise in relieving itchiness for patients with chronic hives who do not get relief from traditional antihistamine treatment.

The drug, omalizumab, known by its brand name, Xolair, is a monoclonal antibody approved to treat allergic asthma. In the Phase 3 trial, published online Sunday in The New England Journal of Medicine, a monthly injection of the drug significantly reduced hives and itchiness.