You may not have as much control over your asthma as you think

According to the National Guidelines,* if you experience 2 or more attacks a year that require oral steroids, your asthma is not well controlled. Other signs that your asthma may not be well controlled include:

  • Wakes you up at night 1 to 3 times per week
  • Requires rescue medication more than 2 days a week
  • Limits your participation in daily activities
  • Requires urgent medical care such as hospitalization
  • Causes daytime symptoms (wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, cough)

Make sure to speak with your doctor about these Guidelines.

*National Guidelines are developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a leading authority in asthma care.

Take the Asthma Control Test™ (ACT)

This survey was designed to help you describe your asthma—how it makes you feel and what you are able to do. It will also help you determine if your asthma is really controlled. To complete the survey, simply choose the button that best describes your answer. Then click the submit button below.

1. In the past 4 weeks, how much of the time did your asthma keep you from getting as much done at work or at home?

  • None of the time
  • A little of the time
  • Some of the time
  • Most of the time
  • All of the time

2. During the past 4 weeks, how often have you had shortness of breath?

  • Not at all
  • Once or twice a week
  • 3 to 6 times a week
  • Once a day
  • More than once a day

3. During the past 4 weeks, how often did your asthma symptoms (wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness) wake you up at night or earlier than usual in the morning?

  • Not at all
  • Once or twice
  • Once a week
  • 2 to 3 nights a week
  • 4 or more nights a week

4. During the past 4 weeks, how often have you used your rescue inhaler or nebulizer medication (such as albuterol, Ventolin®, Proventil®, Maxair™, or Primatene® Mist)?

  • Not at all
  • Once a week or less
  • 2 or 3 times per week
  • 1 or 2 times per day
  • 3 or more times per day

5. How would you rate your asthma control during the past 4 weeks?

  • Completely controlled
  • Well controlled
  • Somewhat controlled
  • Poorly controlled
  • Not controlled at all

Asthma Control Test™ copyright, QualityMetric Incorporated 2002, 2004. All Rights Reserved. Asthma Control Test is a trademark of QualityMetric Incorporated. Ventolin is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline. Proventil is a registered trademark of Schering-Plough Corporation. Maxair is a trademark of 3M Pharmaceuticals. Primatene is a registered trademark of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc.

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.