Thinking your asthma is under control? Taking the Asthma Control
Test™ may surprise you. It is important to recognize if your asthma is
well controlled or uncontrolled. Even if your rescue inhaler stops
your asthma symptoms from getting worse, using it more than 2 times a
week is one of the signs that your asthma may not be under control.
Keeping your asthma properly controlled–so that you can see a
noticeable decrease in your symptoms–is one of the goals of your
asthma treatment. Download the asthma control test below to know your
level of control.
Know Your Control Score
There are two quizzes that you can choose from to help identify your
asthma control score.
The first is the Asthma Control Test™ (ACT™), which is a
short quiz for patients 12 years of age and older. It provides a
numerical score to help you and your asthma specialist determine if
your asthma symptoms are well controlled.
The second is the Asthma Control Test Caregiver Report
(ACT-CR™), which is specifically for caregivers of patients 6 to
less than 12 years of age.
An important step to getting asthma controlled starts with knowing
that it may not be controlled. These quizzes can help with that. After
you have your score, be sure to share it when talking with your asthma specialist.
Asthma Control Test™ (ACT™)
Take the Asthma Control Test™ (ACT™) for patients 12 years of
age and older and share the results with your asthma specialist.
If you are caring for someone between the ages of 6 and less than 12
years old who has allergic asthma, get the Asthma Control Test
Caregiver Report (ACT-CR™).
Any one of these signs may mean uncontrolled asthma:
Asthma symptoms occur more often than usual
Asthma
symptoms are worse than they used to be
Asthma symptoms are
more bothersome at night
Quick-relief inhaler is used more
than 2 days a week
If you notice any of these signs, it may be time to talk to an
asthma specialist. An asthma specialist, such as an allergist or a pulmonologist, has
additional years of specialized education in understanding,
diagnosing, and treating different types of asthma, including allergic asthma.
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:
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
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 your injection. Your healthcare provider should talk to you about getting medical treatment if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction after leaving the healthcare provider’s office or treatment center.
Do not receive 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:
have a latex allergy or any other allergies (such as food allergy or seasonal allergies). The needle cap on the XOLAIR prefilled syringe may contain latex
have sudden breathing problems (bronchospasm)
have ever had a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis
have or have had a parasitic infection
have or have had cancer
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if XOLAIR may harm your unborn baby.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XOLAIR passes into your breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while you receive XOLAIR.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
How should I receive XOLAIR?
XOLAIR should be given by your healthcare provider, in a healthcare setting.
XOLAIR is given in 1 or more injections under the skin (subcutaneous), 1 time every 2 or 4 weeks.
In asthma patients, a blood test for a substance called IgE must be performed prior to starting XOLAIR to determine the appropriate dose and dosing frequency.
Do not decrease or stop taking any of your other asthma medicine unless your healthcare providers tell you to.
You may not see improvement in your symptoms right away after XOLAIR treatment.
What are the possible side effects of XOLAIR?
XOLAIR may cause serious side effects, including:
See, “What is the most important information I should know about XOLAIR” regarding the risk of anaphylaxis.
Cancer. Cases of cancer were observed in some people who received XOLAIR.
Inflammation of your blood vessels. Rarely, this can happen in people with asthma who receive XOLAIR. This usually, but not always, happens in people who also take a steroid medicine by mouth that is being stopped or the dose is being lowered. It is not known whether this is caused by XOLAIR. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have rash; chest pain; shortness of breath; or a feeling of pins and needles or numbness of your arms or legs.
Fever, muscle aches, and rash. Some people who take XOLAIR get these symptoms 1 to 5 days after receiving a XOLAIR injection. If you have any of these symptoms, tell your healthcare provider.
Parasitic infection. Some people who are at a high risk for parasite (worm) infections, get a parasite infection after receiving XOLAIR. Your healthcare provider can test your stool to check if you have a parasite infection.
Heart and circulation problems. Some people who receive XOLAIR have had chest pain, heart attack, blood clots in the lungs or legs, or temporary symptoms of weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, or altered vision. It is not known whether this is caused by XOLAIR.
The most common side effects of XOLAIR:
In adults and children 12 years of age and older with asthma: pain especially in your arms and legs, dizziness, feeling tired, skin rash, bone fractures, and pain or discomfort of your ears.
In children 6 to less than 12 years of age with asthma: common cold symptoms, headache, fever, sore throat, pain or discomfort of your ear, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and nose bleeds.
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.
What is XOLAIR? XOLAIR® (omalizumab) for subcutaneous use is an injectable prescription medicine used to treat patients 6 years of age and older with moderate to severe persistent asthma whose asthma symptoms are not controlled by asthma medicines called inhaled corticosteroids. A skin or blood test is performed to see if you have allergies to year-round allergens.
XOLAIR is not used to treat other allergic conditions, acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus.
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