Talk With Your Doctor About XOLAIR® (Omalizumab)

One of the best things you can do for your treatment is to learn how to talk with your doctor. Speak your mind and take a more active role in your treatment. In turn, your doctor can give you a better diagnosis and treatment recommendation if you are open and tell him or her exactly how you are feeling.

A few tips to get you started

Set expectations—XOLAIR is a treatment unlike any other. So be sure to ask your doctor what you can expect with XOLAIR. You may even want to write down some treatment goals and ask your doctor if you will be able to reach them.

Be honest—don’t just tell your doctor what he or she wants to hear. Instead, tell them everything that relates to your condition and how it’s impacted your life. Your treatment and your relationship with your doctor will be much more productive.

Ask about your IgE level—if you haven’t been tested for IgE, take the time to ask your doctor for a simple screening. It will help determine the type and the amount of medication needed for your treatment. And if you don’t understand something, don’t be afraid to ask for an explanation. Your doctor will appreciate it. And so will you.

Ask about XOLAIR—if you are taking inhaled steroids, yet continue to have asthma attacks and symptoms, XOLAIR could be just the relief you are looking for.

Already taking XOLAIR? A few things to remember:

Keep track of changes—write down anything different about your asthma symptoms. Regularly watch your IgE level. And if your doctor advises it, use a peak flow meter to track any changes in your asthma that may occur as a result of treatment.

Play catch-up—tell your doctor about everything that has happened since your last XOLAIR treatment. Share the list you created with changes in your symptoms. And don’t forget to mention if you missed an appointment. These are all important in keeping a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Ready. Set. Ask.

To make sure you get the most out of your doctor visits, it may help to gather your questions before your appointment. To get started, download your free, personalized Doctor Discussion Guide at AsthmaMatters.com. Go now

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.