Some people using Xolair have had a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction either right after the injection or hours later. Allergic reaction may occur even after using Xolair regularly for a year or longer.
Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Xolair: hives, rash; anxiety or fear; flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling); feeling like you might pass out; chest tightness, wheezing, feeling short of breath, difficult breathing; fast or weak heartbeats; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Asthma is often treated with a combination of different drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.
If you also use an oral steroid medication, do not stop using the steroid suddenly or you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk with your doctor if any of your asthma medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing attacks. Your symptoms may not improve right away once you start receiving Xolair. For best results, keep receiving Xolair as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a few weeks of treatment.
Use Xolair regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Xolair if you are allergic to omalizumab.
To make sure Xolair is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
any signs of infection (fever, swollen glands, general ill feeling);
any other allergies (foods, pollens, etc);
an infection caused by parasites (such as giardia, malaria, leishmaniasis, hookworm, pinworm, toxoplasmosis, and many others);
past or present cancer;
a history of heart attack or stroke;
if you are receiving allergy shots; or
if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Using Xolair may increase your risk of certain types of cancers of the breast, skin, prostate, or salivary gland. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk.
While you are using Xolair, you may also have an increased risk of becoming infected with parasites (worms) if you live in or travel to areas where such infections are common. Talk with your doctor about what to look for and how to treat this condition.
Xolair is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of Xolair on the baby.
It is not known whether omalizumab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give Xolair to a child younger than 12 years old.
