omalizumab Health Article

Generic name(s):

omalizumab

Brand name(s):

Xolair

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

Some people using omalizumab have had a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction to this medication, either right after the injection or hours later. Allergic reaction may occur even after using the medication regularly for a year or longer.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: wheezing, tightness in your chest, trouble breathing; hives or skin rash; feeling anxious or light-headed, fainting; warmth or tingling under your skin; or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Asthma is often treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

If you also use a steroid medication, do not stop using the steroid suddenly. Talk with your doctor if any of your asthma medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing asthma attacks. Your symptoms may not improve right away once you start receiving omalizumab. For best results, keep receiving the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a few weeks of treatment.

It is important to use omalizumab regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Using this medication 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.

What is omalizumab?

Omalizumab is an antibody that helps decrease allergic responses in the body.

Omalizumab is used to treat moderate to severe asthma that is caused by allergies.

Omalizumab is usually given after other asthma medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Omalizumab may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using omalizumab?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to omalizumab.

Before using omalizumab, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions or if you take other medicines.

Using this medication 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. FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Your name may need to be listed on a pregnancy registry if you become pregnant while you are using this medication or within 8 weeks after receiving at least one dose of omalizumab. The purpose of this registry is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and delivery to evaluate whether omalizumab had any effect on the baby.

Omalizumab may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.