FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Here are some answers to common questions about your chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and XOLAIR. If you still have questions after reading this, please reach out to your healthcare team.
For adults 18 years of age and older with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) who are not adequately controlled on nasal corticosteroids.
Here are some answers to common questions about your chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and XOLAIR. If you still have questions after reading this, please reach out to your healthcare team.
Here are some answers to common questions about your chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and XOLAIR. If you still have questions after reading this, please reach out to your healthcare team.
Symptoms of CRSwNP can include
Your body reacts when you come in contact with invaders, such as allergens. One way your body helps protect itself from invaders is by making a substance called IgE. In some people, the body makes too much IgE, which contributes to chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead to CRSwNP and associated symptoms.
XOLAIR is an injectable prescription medicine used to treat chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in people 18 years of age and older when medicines to treat CRSwNP called nasal corticosteroids have not worked well enough. It is not known if XOLAIR is safe and effective in people with CRSwNP under 18 years of age.
Read the Full Medication Guide for more information
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XOLAIR has been approved for another indication since 2003. XOLAIR was approved for the treatment of CRSwNP in November 2020.
Your body weight and IgE (immunoglobulin E) levels will determine how much XOLAIR you need. You may need injections every 2 weeks, or every 4 weeks. Depending on your dose, you might need between 1 and 4 injections each time. If you gain or lose a lot of weight, your number of injections might change. Talk to your doctor.
In some patients, XOLAIR could be an alternative to surgery. It may also be used after you have had surgery if your CRSwNP come back.
Speak to your doctor to see if XOLAIR is right for you.
In studies, XOLAIR was proven to both
Reduce the number and size of stubborn nasal polyps and help free up clogged nasal passages in as little as 4 weeks*
–Up to 18% reduction compared to 2% worsening with steroid nasal spray alone
–Up to 38% reduction compared to 16% reduction with steroid nasal spray alone
Additionally, XOLAIR relieves symptoms that come with CRSwNP, like
Your results may vary.
*XOLAIR was studied in 2 clinical trials with 265 adults with uncontrolled CRSwNP. Each trial lasted 24 weeks. Patients were not required to be taking oral steroids or have surgery before starting XOLAIR. XOLAIR significantly improved endoscopic, clinical, and patient-reported outcomes compared to steroid nasal sprays alone. Nasal polyp scores were measured on a severity scale of 0 to 4 for each nostril (0/best–4/worst). Congestion scores were measured on a severity scale of 0 to 3 (0/best–3/worst).
Do not decrease the dose of or stop taking any other CRSwNP medications unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
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:
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 XOLAIR if you are allergic to omalizumab or any of the ingredients in XOLAIR.
Click below for more Important Safety Information regarding 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.
Your doctor will determine if you or a caregiver may inject XOLAIR.
A subcutaneous injection means an injection that is given under the skin, into a person’s fatty tissue. In the doctor’s office, your doctor or nurse will inject XOLAIR into your upper arm, front of thigh, or abdomen. After you've established your XOLAIR treatment in a doctor's office or infusion center, your doctor may determine that self-injection is right for you. Your doctor may ask you about your confidence with self-injection and about your at-home support team, if you require injection assistance.
If you are giving the injection to your child (or another adult), you can use:
If you are giving yourself the injection, you can inject into any of these sites:
Call your doctor’s office and ask for another training session. You can also call 1-866-4XOLAIR (1-866-496-5247) if you have any questions, or click the button below.
Do not use XOLAIR if the packaging is damaged. It might not be safe to use. Call your doctor’s office for guidance. For additional information, you can also call 1-866-4XOLAIR (1-866-496-5247).
Safely throw away the prefilled syringe or autoinjector in a sharps disposal container and contact your healthcare provider.
DO NOT USE the prefilled syringe or autoinjector if the medicine is cloudy, discolored/brown, or contains particles. The medicine should be clear and colorless to pale brownish-yellow. You may see an air bubble, which is normal. If the medicine does not look as described or if the expiration date has passed, safely throw away the prefilled syringe or autoinjector in a sharps disposal container and contact your healthcare provider. For more information, call 1-866-4XOLAIR (1-866-496-5247).
If the prefilled syringe or autoinjector does not reach room temperature, this could cause the injection to feel uncomfortable.
On the 75 mg and 150 mg prefilled syringes, activating the syringe needle-shield too early could cause that dose of XOLAIR to no longer work. The needle-shield will totally cover the needle. It is there to prevent accidental needle sticks after use. Once the needle-shield is activated, even if the dose has not been administered, the prefilled syringe should be properly disposed of in a sharps container. If this happens, talk to your healthcare provider.
Call your doctor to discuss when you should inject the next dose.
Dispose of used prefilled syringes or autoinjectors immediately in a sharps disposal container.
Store XOLAIR in your refrigerator between 36 °F and 46 °F. DO NOT FREEZE. (Do not use if the prefilled syringe or autoinjector has been frozen.) Store it in the original packaging to protect it from light.
Temperature change may affect the medicine. The prefilled syringe or autoinjector should not be stored out of the refrigerator for more than 48 hours and should not be exposed to temperatures above 77 °F. If either of these situations happen, do not use the prefilled syringe or autoinjector, and call your doctor’s office.
Allow time for the prefilled syringe or autoinjector to warm up to room temperature:
Leave the syringe or autoinjector in the box to protect it from the light during this time.
If you do not have an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is:
No, XOLAIR should never be put in the freezer. It should always stay in the refrigerator until ready for use.
No, in addition to self-injection, you can have XOLAIR administered by your healthcare provider in a healthcare setting.
What is XOLAIR?
XOLAIR® (omalizumab) for subcutaneous use is an injectable prescription medicine used to treat chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in people 18 years of age and older when medicines to treat CRSwNP called nasal corticosteroids have not worked well enough. It is not known if XOLAIR is safe and effective in people with CRSwNP under 18 years of age.
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: a
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:
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?
What are the possible side effects of XOLAIR?
XOLAIR may cause serious side effects, including:
The most common side effects of XOLAIR in adults with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: headache, injection site reactions, joint pain, upper abdominal pain, and dizziness.
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.
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