US Healthcare Professionals

For uncontrolled moderate to severe allergic asthma patients 6 years and older.

STARTING XOLAIR

What to expect at
your first injection

Going for your first XOLAIR injection may bring up mixed emotions—maybe you've never done anything like this before. Below are a few details about what will happen when you arrive at your doctor's office.

dosing frequency icon

XOLAIR dosing and frequency for allergic asthma

XOLAIR is given by an injection just under the skin (subcutaneous injection) every 2 or 4 weeks. This should be done by your healthcare provider, in a healthcare setting. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dosing and frequency for you based on weight and IgE levels.

  • Your healthcare provider will inject XOLAIR into your upper arm or thigh, under the skin
  • You will get 1 or more injections per visit, depending on the dose your doctor has prescribed

Your doctor or nurse will check for any reactions

  • During and after the injection, your healthcare provider will watch for signs of anaphylaxis (a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction)
  • If determined appropriate for self-injection, your healthcare provider will help you recognize the signs and symptoms of severe allergic reaction and what to do if this occurs

Patients with a history of allergic reactions to foods, medications, or other causes can be at an increased risk of anaphylaxis associated with XOLAIR, compared with those with no prior history of anaphylaxis.

Not actual size

Before every administration of XOLAIR, read the XOLAIR Medication Guide

Simple things you can do to prepare for injection day

To prepare for injection day, you can learn about the injection, know where on the body the injection will be administered.

Preparing a child*

If you are taking a child for the first injection of XOLAIR, help them so they know what to expect.

Here are some ideas that may help:

  • Explain beforehand that the injection is necessary to help with symptoms
  • Toys or video games can be a welcome distraction before and during the injection
  • Show your support—think of the injections as a step in managing their allergic asthma

*In children, XOLAIR is approved for ages 6 and up with moderate to severe allergic asthma.

NEXT: Self-Injection >

You’ve got a whole support network on your side

Logo of the Xolair® (Omalizumab) Support for You program

From diagnosis to treatment, everyone’s experience is unique.

If you’ve been prescribed XOLAIR, the Support For You program is designed with YOU in mind.

Our free program provides relevant and timely support and resources.

Sign up now

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION & INDICATION

What is XOLAIR?

XOLAIR® (omalizumab) for subcutaneous use is an injectable prescription medicine used to treat moderate to severe persistent asthma in people 6 years of age and older whose asthma symptoms are not well controlled with asthma medicines called inhaled corticosteroids. A skin or blood test is performed to see if you have allergies to year-round allergens. It is not known if XOLAIR is safe and effective in people with asthma under 6 years of age.

XOLAIR is not used to treat sudden breathing problems.

What is the most important information I should know about XOLAIR?

Severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can happen when you receive XOLAIR. The reaction can occur after the first dose, or after many doses. It may also occur right after a XOLAIR injection or days later. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition and can lead to death. Go to the nearest emergency room right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction:

  • wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness, or trouble breathing
  • low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, rapid or weak heartbeat, anxiety, or feeling of “impending doom”
  • flushing, itching, hives, or feeling warm
  • swelling of the throat or tongue, throat tightness, hoarse voice, or trouble swallowing

Your healthcare provider will monitor you closely for symptoms of an allergic reaction while you are receiving XOLAIR and for a period of time after treatment is initiated. Your healthcare provider should talk to you about getting medical treatment if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Do not receive and use XOLAIR if you are allergic to omalizumab or any of the ingredients in XOLAIR.

Before receiving XOLAIR, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
  • have a latex allergy or any other allergies (seasonal allergies). The needle cap on the XOLAIR prefilled syringe contains a type of natural rubber latex.
  • have sudden breathing problems (bronchospasm)
  • have ever had a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis
  • have or have had a parasitic infection
  • have or have had cancer
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if XOLAIR may harm your unborn baby.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XOLAIR passes into your breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while you receive and use XOLAIR.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

How should I receive and use XOLAIR?
  • When starting treatment, XOLAIR should be given by your healthcare provider in a healthcare setting.
  • If your healthcare provider decides that you or a caregiver may be able to give your own XOLAIR prefilled syringe or autoinjector injections, you should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject XOLAIR.
  • Do not try to inject XOLAIR until you have been shown the right way to give XOLAIR prefilled syringe or autoinjector injections by a healthcare provider. Use XOLAIR exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
  • The XOLAIR autoinjector (all doses) is intended for use only in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older. For children 12 years of age and older, XOLAIR prefilled syringe or autoinjector may be self-injected under adult supervision. For children 1 to 11 years of age, XOLAIR prefilled syringe should be injected by a caregiver.
  • See the detailed Instructions for Use that comes with XOLAIR for information on the right way to prepare and inject XOLAIR.
  • XOLAIR is given in 1 or more injections under the skin (subcutaneous), 1 time every 2 or 4 weeks.
  • In people with asthma, a blood test for a substance called IgE must be performed before starting XOLAIR to determine the appropriate dose and dosing frequency.
  • Do not decrease or stop taking any of your other asthma medicine unless your healthcare providers tell you to.
  • You may not see improvement in your symptoms right away after XOLAIR treatment. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your healthcare provider.
  • If you inject more XOLAIR than prescribed, call your healthcare provider right away.
What are the possible side effects of XOLAIR?
XOLAIR may cause serious side effects, including:
  • Cancer. Cases of cancer were observed in some people who received XOLAIR.
  • Inflammation of your blood vessels. Rarely, this can happen in people with asthma who receive XOLAIR. This usually, but not always, happens in people who also take a steroid medicine by mouth that is being stopped or the dose is being lowered. It is not known whether this is caused by XOLAIR. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have rash; chest pain; shortness of breath; or a feeling of pins and needles or numbness of your arms or legs.
  • Fever, muscle aches, and rash. Some people get these symptoms 1 to 5 days after receiving a XOLAIR injection. If you have any of these symptoms, tell your healthcare provider.
  • Parasitic infection. Some people who are at a high risk for parasite (worm) infections, get a parasite infection after receiving XOLAIR. Your healthcare provider can test your stool to check if you have a parasite infection.
  • Heart and circulation problems. Some people who receive XOLAIR have had chest pain, heart attack, blood clots in the lungs or legs, or temporary symptoms of weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, or altered vision. It is not known whether these are caused by XOLAIR
The most common side effects of XOLAIR:
  • In adults and children 12 years of age and older with asthma: joint pain especially in your arms and legs, dizziness, feeling tired, itching, skin rash, bone fractures, and pain or discomfort of your ears.
  • In children 6 to less than 12 years of age with asthma: swelling of the inside of your nose, throat, or sinuses, headache, fever, throat infection, ear infection, abdominal pain, stomach infection, and nose bleeds.

These are not all the possible side effects of XOLAIR. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555 or Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation at (888) 669-6682.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide, for additional Important Safety Information and Instructions for Use.