US Healthcare Professionals

For people 12 years of age and older with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) not controlled by H1 antihistamines.

WHAT ARE CHRONIC HIVES?

Are you or someone you love constantly struggling with chronic hives?

It's time to ask your allergist if XOLAIR may be right for you.

Interrupt the cycle of chronic hives

If you or someone you love suffers from hives that have lasted at least 6 weeks or more, and you don’t know why they are there, talk to your doctor to see if it might be chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU)—also known as chronic hives or chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU).

Graphic that defines what chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) means, such as chronic refers to hives that last 6 weeks or more, spontaneous means there’s no known trigger, and urticaria is the medical term for hives

Even if you're taking H1 antihistamines to treat your chronic hives,
you can still experience symptoms

Even if you're taking H1 antihistamines to treat your chronic hives, you can still experience symptoms

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Chronic hives can look and feel different for everyone. But in all cases, it results in itchy hives that last 6 weeks or longer.

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Chronic hive flares come and go for 1 to 5 years in most people. Some have symptoms that last even longer.

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Hive symptoms, or flares, most often occur in people between the ages of 20 and 40.

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While chronic hives are more common in women, men may experience them too.

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In 7 out of 10 people with chronic hives, doctors cannot find a cause for the hives.

Chronic hives symptoms are similar to other types of hives

  • Hives are red, white, or flesh-colored bumps with distinct edges that may change shape. Your doctor may call them "wheals." Wheals can be as small as a pencil tip or larger
  • Hives usually itch. The itch can be mild to severe
  • Hives often occur on the chest, back, arms, and legs, but can appear anywhere on the body
  • Hives may also "move around." For example, they may show up on your hand, go away within a day, then show up later on your shoulder
  • A red hive will turn pale when pressed in the center. This is called "blanching"

XOLAIR is not used to treat other forms of hives.

Here are some tips to help you get a handle on your chronic hives:

When you see your doctor, you may not have hives on that particular day. Taking pictures can help your doctor, whether a primary care physician, allergist, or dermatologist, determine if you have chronic hives.

Take note of when your hives come and go–and how they impact your day-to-day activities. Share that record with your doctor so that they may better understand how they impact your daily life. Download the Doctor Discussion Guide to help you get started.

For a medication to be effective, it's essential to follow the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor. Treatment may fail to work when you take your medication less often than prescribed.

Struggling with chronic itch and hives?

It's still possible to experience symptoms, even on an H1 antihistamine.

 

XOLAIR may help

NEXT: Treating Chronic Hives >

You’ve got a whole support network on your side

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From diagnosis to treatment, everyone's experience with chronic hives is different.

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

Take advantage of free support resources that can help you at every step—from talking to a specialist to getting started to potentially saving on XOLAIR.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION & INDICATION

What is XOLAIR?

XOLAIR® (omalizumab) for subcutaneous use is an injectable prescription medicine used to treat chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU, previously referred to as chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), chronic hives without a known cause) in people 12 years of age and older who continue to have hives that are not controlled with H1 antihistamine treatment. It is not known if XOLAIR is safe and effective in people with CSU under 12 years of age.

XOLAIR is not used to treat other forms of hives.

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 (such as food allergy or seasonal allergies). The needle cap on the XOLAIR prefilled syringe contains a type of natural rubber latex.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 4 weeks.
  • In people with chronic hives, a blood test is not necessary to determine the dose or dosing frequency.
  • Do not decrease or stop taking any of your other hive medicine unless your healthcare providers tell you to.
  • You may not see improvement in your symptoms right away after XOLAIR treatment.
  • 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.
  • 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 people with chronic spontaneous urticaria: nausea, headaches, swelling of the inside of your nose, throat or sinuses, cough, joint pain, and upper respiratory tract infection.

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.