It’s normal to have concerns about starting a new treatment and what you can expect. Keep in mind that there are a lot of important factors to understand and consider when choosing a treatment. And every treatment has potential benefits and risks for you.

Talk openly with your doctor to get rid of unwanted stress or anxiety with starting a new therapy. To get a FREE Doctor Discussion Guide, click here. It may even be helpful to become familiar with the procedure for taking XOLAIR and how it can affect your symptoms.

For more information on getting started, see below.

How XOLAIR is given

XOLAIR is given by subcutaneous injection, which means an injection just under the skin. This is performed by a doctor or nurse in a doctor's office, clinic, hospital, or similar setting. You will receive XOLAIR once every 2 or 4 weeks.

How your dosage is determined

Your dose will be determined by your body weight and your IgE level, which your doctor will measure with a simple skin or blood test.

Based on your dose, your doctor will also tell you if you will need 1, 2, or 3 injections per dose every 2 or 4 weeks. If you need more than 1 injection, each injection will be given in a different place on your body.

How XOLAIR takes effect

It takes time for XOLAIR to work, so if you don’t see an improvement in your asthma symptoms right away, don’t get discouraged. It doesn’t mean that XOLAIR is not working.

It is important to continue your XOLAIR injections until your doctor tells you to do otherwise. While being treated with XOLAIR, do not decrease the dose of, or stop taking, any other asthma medications unless instructed by your doctor.

Everyone responds to medication differently. No one, not even your doctor, knows exactly how XOLAIR will affect your asthma symptoms or your need for other asthma treatments.

But remember, in clinical studies involving people who still had asthma symptoms while they were taking inhaled steroids, XOLAIR helped reduce the number of asthma attacks they experienced.

You're ready for XOLAIR. Now what?

If you and your doctor think XOLAIR is the right treatment for you, here’s what happens next:

  • Your doctor will order tests to determine your IgE level and allergic triggers
  • Based on these test results, your doctor will decide whether XOLAIR is right for you
  • He or she will submit a statement of medical necessity (SMN) to a Specialty Pharmacy for XOLAIR (a Specialty Pharmacy is a type of pharmacy that handles medicines like XOLAIR) or XOLAIR Access Solutions™ (coverage and reimbursement support and patient assistance services). Please be sure to sign all appropriate forms
  • The Specialty Pharmacy or XOLAIR Access Solutions will let you know if your insurance will cover XOLAIR—most insurance companies cover XOLAIR but will need prior authorization based on your health history and specific insurance plan
  • The Specialty Pharmacy will contact you to verify your information—it’s important to always return phone calls regarding XOLAIR treatment to make sure your insurance company and Specialty Pharmacy have all the information they need
  • If you need additional information about medical coverage for XOLAIR, please speak with your doctor
  • You must authorize the shipment of XOLAIR to your doctor’s office and pay any co-payment prior to delivery
  • Contact your doctor’s office and start your treatment with XOLAIR!

Below is a list of specialty pharmacies that handle XOLAIR. They can help you get the proper supply of XOLAIR, along with everything needed for injection.

As you're getting ready for treatment with XOLAIR, it's important to know that it can take some time for the insurance process to go through before your first XOLAIR injection. So be patient, and don’t give up.

WHO is XOLAIR for?
XOLAIR® (omalizumab) for subcutaneous use is an injectable, prescription medicine for patients ages 12 and older. It is for patients with moderate to severe persistent allergic asthma caused by year-round allergens in the air. A skin or blood test is done to see if you have allergic asthma. XOLAIR is for patients who are not controlled by asthma medicines called inhaled steroids.
XOLAIR helps reduce the number of asthma attacks in people with allergic asthma who still have asthma symptoms even though they are taking inhaled steroids.
Important Limitations of Use
XOLAIR has not been proven to work in other allergic conditions.
XOLAIR is not a rescue medicine and should not be used to treat sudden asthma attacks.
XOLAIR should not be used in children under 12 years of age.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
XOLAIR should always be injected in a doctor's office. You should read the Medication Guide before starting XOLAIR treatment and before each and every treatment.
A severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis has happened in some patients after they received XOLAIR. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition and can lead to death. Seek emergency medical treatment right away if symptoms occur. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
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
You should not receive XOLAIR if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a XOLAIR injection. Do not use XOLAIR if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
In clinical studies 0.5% of patients receiving XOLAIR developed cancer, compared to 0.2% of patients receiving placebo (an injection with no active medicine).
Joint inflammation or pain, rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes have been seen in patients taking XOLAIR. Talk to your doctor if you’ve experienced any of these signs and symptoms.
In patients >12 years of age, the most commonly observed side effects in asthma studies that had a >1% difference between XOLAIR and placebo were joint pain (8%), pain (general) ( 7%), leg pain (4%), tiredness (fatigue) (3%), dizziness (3%), fracture (2%), arm pain (2%), itching (2%), inflammation of the skin (2%), and earache (2%).
In asthma studies, the most common side effects in patients, who either needed to stop XOLAIR or needed medical attention, were injection site reaction (45%), viral infections (23%), upper respiratory tract infection (20%), sinusitis (16%), headache (15%), and sore throat (11%). These side effects were seen at the same rates in XOLAIR-treated patients as in patients in the control group who received placebo.
XOLAIR is not a rescue medicine and should not be used to treat sudden asthma attacks.
XOLAIR is not a substitute for the medicines you are already taking. Do not change or stop taking any of your other asthma medicines unless your doctor tells you to do so. You may not see an immediate improvement in your asthma when beginning XOLAIR therapy.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch, or by calling 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report any side effects at 1-866-4XOLAIR (1-866-496-5247).
Talk to your doctor for more information and if you have any questions about your treatment.
Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for additional important safety information.