Xolair Omalizumab treatment (1325)

How can Xolair help me?

Xolair is a medicine used to treat asthma caused by allergies or hives that do not go away with allergy medicines. It blocks the body’s reaction to allergens. Allergens are anything that cause allergies. Your body makes a natural substance called IgE when exposed to allergens like pollen, pets, and mold. Xolair binds IgE, to stop it from causing allergy or asthma symptoms. It may take several months for this medicine to work.

Who could get Xolair?

• Patients with allergic asthma that is not well controlled on currently prescribed medicines.
• Patients with hives for more than 6 weeks that do not respond to allergy medicines.
• Patients with polyps in the nose that don’t respond to steroid nose medicines.

Xolair often helps when:

• Blood tests show high levels of IgE.
• Allergens cause breathing problems.
• Other asthma or allergy medicines don’t work well enough.
• Avoiding allergy triggers does not help.
• Hives are not controlled with allergy medicines.
• Patients have an IgE mediated food allergy.

Who should not get Xolair?

• Patients who are allergic to omalizumab or any ingredients in omalizumab.
• Patients with asthma who don’t have allergies.
• Patients who are taking beta blocker medicines. These medicines are often used for high blood pressure, migraine headaches, or eye drops for glaucoma. Common names are: propranolol, metoprolol, atenolol and timolol or betaxolol. Talk with your provider if you are taking one of these medicines and would like to get Xolair injections.

How is it given?

• At each visit, 1 to 3 shots are given in the upper arm. The shots are given every 2, 3 or 4 weeks.
• Your healthcare provider will decide how often the shots will be given and how long you need Xolair.
• Do not stop taking your other asthma or allergy medicines unless your healthcare provider tells you to.

What are the side effects?

Mild side effects may include:

• Pain where the shot is given
• Headache
• Feeling dizzy
• Muscle or joint pain
• Ear pain
• Feeling tired

Serious side effects: These include anaphylaxis and do not happen often. They can lead to death if not treated.

You will be taught how to use an EpiPen®. You must show the EpiPen to the nurse before every Xolair shot. You will not be given a shot if you do not have your EpiPen. Carry the EpiPen with you for 48 hours after each shot.

Tell the nurse right away if you have:

• Hives. Rash, swelling or itching of more than one part of the body.
• Swelling. Any part of the body, inside or out. This includes the mouth, tongue, and throat. It can be one or many parts of the body.
• Breathing problems. Shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing or chest feels tight.
• Heart problems. Tiredness, heart feels like it beating fast or skipping a beat, trouble breathing, or chest pain.
• Blood Clot. Face drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulty.
• Other. Constant sneezing, feeling dizzy, sick to your stomach or just not “feeling right.”
• Anaphylactic shock. This is the most serious allergic reaction. It can cause the airways to swell, making it hard to breathe. It also may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. That means less oxygen reaches your brain and other organs. It can happen in a few minutes or up to 48 hours after the shot has been given.

Use your EpiPen and call 9-1-1 if any of these symptoms happen after leaving the clinic!

• If there is a serious or anaphylactic reaction, emergency medicine will be given right away. The medicine is called epinephrine and comes in an EpiPen.

What happens after the shot?

It is important to stay in the clinic after each shot and check with the nurse before leaving.

• You must wait 90 minutes after your first 3 shots. Then the wait time changes to 30 minutes following each shot.
• If you have been approved to get the Xolair shots at home, this will start after the first 3 shots in the clinic.
• Before leaving the clinic, a nurse will check for any reaction. A healthcare provider will treat more serious reactions in the clinic.
• A serious reaction following an injection may mean a longer stay in the clinic.
• Future Xolair shots may not be given to anyone who:
  • Does not stay in the clinic for the required time after a shot.
  • Does not come for regular shots or follow-up visits.

Important Information

• Do not start any medicines without asking your healthcare provider first.
• Long term use may increase your risk of cancer.
• Talk with your provider if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or are nursing.