US Healthcare Professionals

For people 1 year of age and older at risk of food allergic reactions after accidental exposure.

STARTING XOLAIR

What to expect at your or your child’s first XOLAIR injection

Going for your first XOLAIR injection may bring up mixed emotions—maybe you’ve never done anything like this before. Below are a few details about what will happen when you arrive at your doctor’s office.

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XOLAIR dosing and frequency for food allergy

XOLAIR is given by an injection just under the skin (subcutaneous injection) every 2 or 4 weeks. This should be done by your healthcare provider. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dosing and frequency for you or your child based on weight and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level, measured before the start of treatment.

  • Your healthcare provider will inject XOLAIR under the skin of your upper arm or thigh
  • You will get 1 or more injections per visit depending on the dose your doctor has prescribed

Your doctor or nurse will check for any reactions

  • XOLAIR may cause side effects in some people. In rare cases (less than 0.1% or at least 0.2%), anaphylaxis (a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction) may occur
  • Your doctor may determine that it is appropriate for you to give yourself XOLAIR injections. They will provide you training on how to do this and how to recognize the signs and symptoms of severe allergic reactions and what to do if they occur

Patients with a history of allergic reactions to medications or other non-food materials can be at an increased risk of anaphylaxis associated with XOLAIR compared with those with no prior history of anaphylaxis.

Before every administration of XOLAIR, read the XOLAIR Medication Guide

FAQs About Starting XOLAIR

Hear Dr. Ruchi Gupta, Dr. Travis Miller, and Dr. Courtney Blair answer common questions about starting XOLAIR.

FAQs About Starting XOLAIR

Hear Dr. Ruchi Gupta, Dr. Travis Miller, and Dr. Courtney Blair answer common questions about starting XOLAIR.

Information on Dosing and XOLAIR Injections

Hear Dr. Travis Miller explain how XOLAIR dosing is determined and options for injection administration.

Information on Dosing and XOLAIR Injections

Hear Dr. Travis Miller explain how XOLAIR dosing is determined and options for injection administration.

Healthcare providers featured in these videos received compensation to share their stories. Individual results may vary.

Simple things you can do to prepare for injection day

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Learn about the injection

Read the Medication Guide and Instructions for Use before every injection.

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Before your visit

Ask your doctor where the injection will be applied so you can plan what to wear for easy access to the injection site.

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Fear of needles?

If receiving your injection in-office or by a caregiver, try focusing your attention elsewhere with something like a game, book, or movie.

Preparing a child*

If you are taking a child for their first XOLAIR injection, help them so they know what to expect. Here are some ideas that may help:

  • Explain beforehand that the injection is necessary to reduce their risk of allergic reactions
  • Toys or video games can be a welcome distraction before and during the injection
  • Show your support—think of the injections as a step in managing their food allergy

*XOLAIR is approved for adults and children 1 year of age and older with food allergy.

NEXT: Self-Injection >

You’ve got a whole support network on your side

From diagnosis to treatment, everyone’s food allergy experience is unique. The Support For You program is designed with YOU in mind. Access free 1-on-1 sessions and learn about programs that may help you save on XOLAIR.

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Explore real stories of navigating life with food allergies

Meet patients and caregivers as they share their food allergy experiences and their decisions to include XOLAIR as part of their food allergy action plan.

Watch Patient Stories

Patients featured received compensation to share their story. Individual results may vary.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION & INDICATION

What is XOLAIR?

XOLAIR® (omalizumab) for subcutaneous use is an injectable prescription medicine used to treat food allergy in people 1 year of age and older to reduce allergic reactions that may occur after accidentally eating one or more foods to which you are allergic. While taking XOLAIR you should continue to avoid all foods to which you are allergic. It is not known if XOLAIR is safe and effective in people with food allergy under 1 year of age.

XOLAIR should not be used for the emergency treatment of any allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.

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 treatment is initiated. Your healthcare provider should talk to you about getting medical treatment if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Do not receive and use 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 seasonal allergies). The needle cap on the XOLAIR prefilled syringe contains a type of natural rubber 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 and use XOLAIR.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

How should I receive and use XOLAIR?

  • When starting treatment, XOLAIR should be given by your healthcare provider in a healthcare setting.
  • If your healthcare provider decides that you or a caregiver may be able to give your own XOLAIR prefilled syringe or autoinjector injections, you should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject XOLAIR.
  • Do not try to inject XOLAIR until you have been shown the right way to give XOLAIR prefilled syringe or autoinjector injections by a healthcare provider. Use XOLAIR exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
  • The XOLAIR autoinjector (all doses) is intended for use only in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older. For children 12 years of age and older, XOLAIR prefilled syringe or autoinjector may be self-injected under adult supervision. For children 1 to 11 years of age, XOLAIR prefilled syringe should be injected by a caregiver.
  • See the detailed Instructions for Use that comes with XOLAIR for information on the right way to prepare and inject XOLAIR.
  • XOLAIR is given in 1 or more injections under the skin (subcutaneous), 1 time every 2 or 4 weeks.
  • In people with food allergy, a blood test for a substance called IgE must be performed before starting XOLAIR to determine the appropriate dose and dosing frequency.
  • Do not decrease or stop taking any of your food allergy medicine or allergen immunotherapy, unless your healthcare providers tell you to.
  • You may not see improvement in your symptoms right away after XOLAIR treatment. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your healthcare provider.
  • If you inject more XOLAIR than prescribed, call your healthcare provider right away.

What are the possible side effects of XOLAIR?

XOLAIR may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Cancer. Cases of cancer were observed in some people who received XOLAIR.
  • Fever, muscle aches, and rash. Some people 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 these are caused by XOLAIR.

The most common side effects of XOLAIR in people with food allergy: injection site reactions and fever.

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 and Instructions for Use.

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