Omalizumab for Asthma, Maintenance User Reviews (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2017

Xolair (omalizumab) "I have been xolair for two months. Wow, what a difference this has made. I would cough all day and used my inhalers more than directed. Now I don't cough much and don't wheeze. I use inhalers once a day now. Two weeks after the first shot I could tell a difference. This is a great drug. I do feel some tiredness with it but it is tolerable."

• Ann
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 28, 2019

Xolair (omalizumab) "I was given xolair to control my severe asthma and lung damage that came from it. Xolair did solve my asthma issues. It also, helped heal my lungs and stop me from getting constant infections. But the side effects of Xolair are real. I did not have any anaphylactic reactions. I did have body aches that felt like my bones were breaking, headaches, restless leg syndrome, bloating, hair loss, dizziness, tremors and night terrors. My new health care stopped coverage of xolair. So I stopped getting the shots. It's been 3 months and I still have extreme body aches and restless legs. I hope it will go away someday."

• Arlakay
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2019

Xolair (omalizumab) "I was at a point where I had to use Prednisone for approximately 20 days out of every month. I had now developed asthma on top of the COPD. My lung doctor decided on the Xolair for the immunotherapy. I had 1 injection - for 3 months total. It worked miracles for my breathing!! My side effects were headaches and fatigue for the 1st week after the shot. After the 2nd month, I developed bone and joint aches & pain in my legs and planters fasciitis! My toes and fingers feel swollen (but they're not) when I bend them. I would feel like I'm 100 years old. I was so stiff. I've been taking Motrin on a daily basis for the past 2 months for the pain and stiffness. SOME of the aches, pains and stiffness have decreased - because of the prednisone I'm taking. After I'm off this round of prednisone, we're giving the side effects a few more weeks before contacting the pharmaceutical company for some answers. I hope the side effects aren't permanent."

• Ng2633
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2019

Xolair (omalizumab) "I’m on my 3rd Xolair 300mg I have experienced joint pain , leg & feet ache & hurt , and hair loss. I was told these were not side effects .. it has helped me with my asthma is now controlled . Seeing a rheumatologist now !!!"

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2019

Xolair (omalizumab) "I started experiencing an increase of shortness of breath almost 2 years ago. I have had asthma (relatively well managed) for more than 40 years. Last year I was hospitalized twice. I was eventually referred to both an Allergist and Respirologist. I had been on 3 back to back courses of prednisone. Allergy tests revealed severe environmental allergies as well as oral allergy syndrome. I was approved for fortnightly injections that began in June of this year. I noticed a benefit immediately but after the 4th shot the benefits were wearing off at approximately day 9. I had injections in Aug 13, had 2 full blown asthma attacks in Aug 16 and 17 and continue to labour for breath. I had a scheduled appoint with Respirologist on the 20th. Gave him an update and expressed my frustration. The ragweed pollen is particularly high this year. He prescribed another round of prednisone. I have been taking it for 4 days and still feel like I should go to the hospital."

• GHano
• December 9, 2020

Xolair (omalizumab) "I have been on Xolair almost a month. I had horrible asthma and allergies. At one point I couldn’t even walk without getting out of breath. I’m 25 now. This breathing issues started around 22! Xolair has changed my breathing for the best, but I am in so much pain bodily. My bones and muscles feel like they are constantly under some form of warfare. Aches, pains, and spasms all over my entire body. I can breath, but I constantly feel like I was hit with a car and just keep living after each hit. I am trying to change my diet and move around more, hopefully these changes will help all the icky horrible side effects."

• Milly...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 7, 2017

Xolair (omalizumab) "I’m 21 and joined the clinic programme when I was 19/20. I was constantly in and out of Hospital with attacks. Since having this I rarely get admitted. I have four injections every two weeks! I always feel tired after treatment and need a good sleep! Other than that. Amazing drug"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2018

Xolair (omalizumab) "This drug works very well with me! My PFT baseline has gone up however my IgE is still very elevated. My breathing has improved and I hardly ever have to use my inhaler or nebulizer. Before, I’d have to be in the hospital several times a year in the ICU."

• Candy...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 4, 2021

Xolair (omalizumab) "I am losing my eye sight due to xolair!!! I had perfect eyes before no problems with my eyes until I started taking xolair monthly for my asthma. Then every month I noticed it was harder for me to see. So I went to the eye dr and lost 60% in my right and 40% in the left !!! I immediately stopped taking it and told my dr I didn’t want to take it !! If I could give my review a zero I would !! Be aware"

• Angel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2021

Xolair (omalizumab) "31 year old female, no known allergies. Woke up one day with full body hives that did not react well to steroids/antihistamines until I upped my dose to four Zyrtec per day. Started on 300 mg of Xolair 5 weeks ago and am hive free. No Zyrtec needed. I noticed a headache the first time around and did feel like it made me overly alert, but honestly I'm super happy to not have to take so much Zyrtec. I just got my second dose and am still happy. Will check back in in 4-6 months. Had to fight with insurance to get approved but it was worth it"

• Jkaff
• October 23, 2021

Xolair (omalizumab) "I was on it from late 2005 till about 2012. Shortly after I started taking the medication I developed heart PVC’s. I believe it was caused as a direct result from the xolair. I went to a cardiologist and got a full work up. The PVC’s are annoying and can be unsettling but they are not life threatening (not as of yet anyways). I still have the PVC’s from time to time but not as often as I did as when I was on the xolair. My asthma has been very well controlled since I got off the xolair and started taking Symbicort. Just my experience."

• JustW...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2020

Xolair (omalizumab) "Was previously taking biologics the 12 months prior. Dr decided to try me on Xolair injections. With in the 1st week after the 1st injection it was getting increasingly harder to breathe was still not getting any better by the 2nd. This was NOT the one for me.. I'm still struggling significantly to breathe and am now back taking prednisone."

• Xolair...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 28, 2023

Xolair (omalizumab) "Wow, I remember the first discussion with my pulmonologist that my lungs were not performing well, even though I was active, played competitive softball tournaments all weekend, ran, etc. When I blew into the hand held meter, I was at 200-250, he said 450 was where I should be. We started Xolair, and after about the third visit, I was over 500. that was like 9 years ago. today I am still over 500, I have rarely, like once or twice a year, had (Had maybe a little strong-but it did relax me) to use an emergency inhaler, when before I always had an emergency inhaler on me, two different pills, and another steroid inhaler. Side effects, none that I know of."

• xolair...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2022

Xolair (omalizumab) "It works for me. Within about an hour of the injection, I can breath better and deeper. I have had life-long dust mite allergies which turned to allergic and eosinophilic asthma once I hit mid-40s. This mitigates the asthma and a lot of the other allergy issues (e.g., nose congestion) without the side effects. I feel a little tired the next day after injection but otherwise feel great with this med. I am back to running 3 miles a day and my pace is picking up to where I was many years ago."

• Jolene...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2023

Xolair (omalizumab) "I was on PRE-FILLED injections twice a month for 6 months to treat my Pulmonary Aspergillosis and improve my IGE levels. This drug has ruined my life. Not only did not help my breathing or IGE levels (went from a 1300-3000) but I went from 95lbs-112. I can’t stop eating since I got this. Plus my legs/arms/face swelled up and I had heart palpitations. I discontinued the injections in November, and I’m still swollen and ravenous constantly. I’m trying to lose weight and control my hunger, but it is impossible! I read this stays in your system up to 6 months after stopping, so that could be why. I have no idea what this has done to me, but I’m furious that severe weight gain is not listed as a side effect. I went from a disciplined,extremely healthy person..to being completely out of control binge eater. I do not recommend this treatment to anyone!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2022

Xolair (omalizumab) "Xolair has changed my life but not for the better! I have asthma & was put on Xolair 6 months ago with mild improvement. But now my life is just sitting, feet hurt, trouble walking, extreme fatigue. I used to walk 3 to 4 miles a day. I’ve stopped this drug & hope my symptoms improve. Please think about how you were before you started taking Xolair!"

• Toron...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 6, 2021

Xolair (omalizumab) "I had severe asthma starting in my late 60s and was diagnosed with several allergies. The usual course of trial and error steroid and inhalers proved largely ineffective and I ended up in the Emerg twice. A new doctor recommended Xolair and after the second set of injections my asthma was totally in control while I continued daily use of Zenhale and Spiriva and occasionally Salbutamol. As I told my doctor, you have given me my life back again. I still have asthma and must be prudent about my surroundings but with Xolair I have a largely normal life. I have no obvious side-effects from Xolair other than the inconvenience of the bi-weekly injection schedule."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2015

Xolair (omalizumab) "I had one injection then three days later I thought - something is different. I can breathe! Checked my peak flow meter and it is up 45 points. Hurray. Can't wait for my next injection."

• Anonymous
• February 7, 2012

Xolair (omalizumab) "I love it. I had NO quality of life I almost gave up on life because I have two kids and I couldn't stand for them to see me suffer any more. This saved my life."

• Selena...
• May 14, 2014

Xolair (omalizumab) "Very useful for treating severe to mild asthma! Highly recommended!"

• A doc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2018

Xolair (omalizumab) "They forgot to list the side effect POVERTY. $500 per vial? Who are you kidding?"

• fred
• February 28, 2009

Xolair (omalizumab) "Prescribed for atopy. No side-effect, but no efficacy after 6 months. My maintenance medications had to stay at the same dosage, so I stopped."

• jimmy...
• April 19, 2009

Xolair (omalizumab) "In the treatment of my severe chronic asthma, this medication is best at managing my condition. I take it subcutaneously once each month, two injections of 150 mg each."

• Roy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 21, 2017

Xolair (omalizumab) "6 months 2 injections every 2 week. Sorry guys but no effect at all. Still on 20 mg of prednisone a day . I wish it had worked."

• Stacey...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2017

Xolair (omalizumab) "It opens your airways"