Omalizumab for Urticaria User Reviews (Page 3)

• Tres_...
• October 31, 2016

Xolair (omalizumab) "I developed hives and unknown swelling since I was 18. My life was miserable. I was always in the hospital I hated it sooo much. I was so depressed all the time. I felt like I wasn't living. Xolar really gave me my life back. I have been in it for 5 months so far so good :) I Wish I could hug who ever made this drug!!!"

• Fraud...
• December 13, 2017

Xolair (omalizumab) "I have been suffering from horrible hives all over my body since June 2017. I took my first Xolair shot 12/8/17 and my hives have gotten worse. I was told by allergy office that I have to get 2 more shots before they consider Xolair to be ineffective. I just hope that I can afford the next 2 shots. No drug should cost this much. Especially if it isn't working!"

• AJano
• August 28, 2019

Xolair (omalizumab) "In my case, THE PRE-FILLED SYRINGES do NOT WORK AT ALL!! Have had 3 sets of shots so far (was not taking anything else during that time frame): - 1st set of shots (the Vials), after 2 weeks, I noticed a 95 -100% improvement in chronic Dermatographism, a 100% improvement in the chronic itchy skin (no rash) symptom, & some improvement in other symptoms...but no improvement in chronic GI symptoms & chronic body swelling. - 2nd set of shots, they switched to the PRE-FILLED SYRINGES. Shots hurt a lot more than the vials/my Allergist's syringes...then after a few hours had throat discomfort/pain/pressure which did't go away till the next morning ...& The PRE-FILLED syringes did absolutely NOTHING & lost some of the improvement I had gained. - 3rd set of shots, strongly asked Allergist to switch back to the Xolair VIALS which they did. Shots hurt a lot less, no throat discomfort/pain/pressure, & after a couple weeks, regained some of the improvement I had lost."

• Gracie
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 12, 2018

Xolair (omalizumab) "This injection has done an amazing job eliminating CIU/DPU (chronic idiopathic urticaria/delayed pressure urticaria)! I have been getting 300mg every 8 weeks for about a year in half now with no side effects. Have been dealing with hives for about 8 years prior to Xolair and prednisone was the only drug that would get rid of the hives."

• Dad
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 17, 2018

Xolair (omalizumab) "My daughter has chronic idiopathic Uticaria and began taking Xolair about 9 months ago to treat the frequent and widespread hives that she was suffering with. Prior to taking Xolair she would get widespread hives about once per week and they would last anywhere from 1 to 3 days. Subsequent to taking Xolair she has not had a single case of hives. So we are extremely pleased with our results."

• Madesta
• November 16, 2017

Xolair (omalizumab) "I was very hesitant to start this medication because of all the warnings I came across online. After 4 months on this medication I can honestly say it has 100% improved my life. I had hives and angio edema covering most of my body. The pain and hives would come and go and change from day to day but I was for the most part homebound because of it. I was taking Benadryl (like tic-tacs), Zyrtec, Singulair, Fatidomide and Prednisone for the really bad breakouts. Within the 1st week after the 1st shot saw significant improvement. Now I only have some breakouts right around the 28th or 29th day of the next shot that is due. I would highly recommend this medication for chronic urticaria."

• Grandma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2016

Xolair (omalizumab) "I am 72 years old and have suffered with Chronic Urticaria for 18 months now 24/7 and my antihistamines and prednisone are no longer helping. My Dr. suggested that I try Xolair. I have had my 2nd injections today and have had no decrease in my hives. I have read that it may take 2 or 3 months before it kicks in but I was sure hoping that I would have some relief in the first month, especially because of the cost of this drug. I will continue for a couple more months to give it a fair chance."

• bano
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 13, 2018

Xolair (omalizumab) "I have been on Xolair since November of 2016. Overall, this has been a very effective treatment for me. Besides a few 1-2 month flare-ups, I have seen a significant improvement. Untreated (and during flare-ups), I break out in hives 2-3 times a day every day, frequently with swelling in my face, lips, hands, and feet. Xolair has decreased this to almost no hives."

• nanway
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2017

Xolair (omalizumab) "I've had hives off and on since 2002. I am 52 years old and I've been diagnosed with Hashimotos and Lupus. I was tired of hive breakouts and constantly taking benedryl. So I decided to start taking xolair. Within a half hour after shot my hands got red and itchy. I told nurse. She seemed unconcerned. Got very tired went home and slept half a day! That night got three hives on leg and arm. Next morning I was achy all over and got dizzy with a headache. I report I also got some chest heaviness. I called doctors and he said it was not from xolair. I can stop benedryl but wants me to continue shots. So far I can't stop benedryl because Im still itchy! I don't know if I should get next dose because I don't want worse side effects.Want to eat again"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2016

Xolair (omalizumab) "In early November 2015, I started breaking out in unexplained hives. It started with huge welts larger than my palm, and I'd get them all over my body, some small, some big. From my scalp to the bottom of my feet, welts have shown up, and my lips and fingers have swollen so badly. Zolair has made a marked difference for me. It hasn't completely cleared me up, but the amount of hives have dramatically decreased. I still get angioedema though, but I don't panic like when it first stared happening. I'm hoping as time goes on 1 - the hives will just go away completely (haha we all with for that, right?) and 2 - if the hives don't go away the shot will continue to lessen the severity of the breakouts."

• SCano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2018

Xolair (omalizumab) "I suffered from chronic hives for months with multiple attempts at different combinations of antihistamines. The condition only worsened. I went from being hive free for short breaks to having hives covering 50% or more of my body constantly day after day for months. Xolair has changed it all. I have been and remain completely hive free. I got my first shot and had immediate relief. I had a couple of small hives that wanted to break through, but literally lasted a couple of hours and went away. They were hardly noticable. Xolair has brought me back to the quality of life I expect."

• CKano
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 22, 2020

Xolair (omalizumab) "Xolair has changed my life for the better and I have been asymptomatic since starting monthly injections. I had chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) and angioedema for the past 20 years. I had been trying high doses of antihistamines, NSAIDs, acupuncture, basically anything to stop the itching and swelling. At one point, I was put on prednisone, only to have the CIU come back after tapering off. Then I worked with the doctor to test Xolair. It has worked amazingly well. I get injections once a month and for the most part am asymptomatic. I have no side effects. Sometimes before an injection, I will have itching, but the next injection quickly alleviates symptoms. Xolair has been transformative at changing my quality of life. I am so much happier and healthier now."

• VC Pa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 19, 2023

Xolair (omalizumab) "I felt less hives and itchy after a couple of weeks. I was ready for another injection by the time I was scheduled for my 4-week follow-up. Still hives and itchy, but as time goes on and it's been close to a year, I have improved a lot. I have side effects with muscle pain and swelling in my veins. The itchy burning hives are much worse without the Xolair. I can tolerate the pain with Advil. I am now on a 6-week schedule to see if I can be weaned down. This will be my second month waiting for my next 6 weeks. I am having fewer breakouts and use prednisone spray to control the itching. I do get pressure hives and I have to be careful what I wear due to the type of material which causes itching, and if I scratch, I will break out with small hives. They will spread if I get anxious. All in all, I think this medication saved me from going crazy. I have had some really good days and a few that were a bit itchy. I have had several days that I had no hives. I'm thinking positive and praying for none."

• Amitesh
• September 16, 2016

Xolair (omalizumab) "I have been battling with hives on and off for almost 15 years. I went to see my local allergist and he said if antihistamines are not working, change your lifestyle such as diet, hair products etc. I gave hope and one day I started looking again as my hives were out of control. Got a second opinion from another allergist and he put me on Xolair. I have received my first shot last week and I haven't had any hives since then. My face is clear and knock on wood hope it stays this way. Such a relief. If you have tried everything and nothing has worked which was my situation, give xolair a shot. Its expensive if you don't have insurance but if you do have insurance, I would suggest giving a try."

• Yo yo
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 6, 2019

Xolair (omalizumab) "I have had CIU (chronic idiopathic urticaria ) on and off for about 20 years. I had a long span of many years where the hives disappeared, but then one day, they returned. I have been on Xolair for about a year, and it worked....until 2 weeks ago. Now I am having aggressive hives after having virtually none this past year. Xolair clearly worked when I started the medication, so am am sticking with it for now. I have zero side effects from Xolair. I am concerned it seems to have stopped working however. I will have to do some research on vit D and CIU"

• Hives...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2017

Xolair (omalizumab) "I have suffered with hives since I was pregnant with my first child - 7 years ago! I tried everything! Seen an allergist, omitted foods, drinks, soaps - everything. Multiple trips to the ER and steroids. I suffer from migraines but can't take any ibuprofen/advil/tylenol/motrin because they give me hives so bad that my hands swell up nearly to my elbows now. I discovered Xolair and just had my first 2 injections yesterday! Took a while for insurance to approve it. So far I feel fine other than a sore throat, but not sure if that's an actual side affect or my daughter sharing her cold hehe. I read so many of these positive posts and I am so excited to have started treatment!!"

• ROK
• March 5, 2018

Xolair (omalizumab) "I had experienced severe frequent episodic urticaria for approximately two years. I'd been tested for allergies and spent a year working with my dermatologist attempting to isolate an allergen without success. He ultimately suggested we try Xolair. All symptoms were gone within 24 hours of the first Xolair injection (300mg - 150mg in each thigh subcutaneously). There were four treatments at four week intervals followed by two 150 mg treatments at four week intervals. There is no research to guide the decision of when to discontinue the drug and no incentive for the manufacturer to conduct the trials. I've not had an injection for 8 weeks and remain symptom free."

• MMKPP
• December 22, 2014

"At 32 years old I suddenly developed chronic hives after having zero allergies my entire life. After three months of antihistamines that did nothing and large doses of prednisone that caused extreme weight gain and mood issues, I was able to start Xolair and my hives cleared within days. Today was my 4th set of shots and I continue to be free from all hives. I've read the horror stories of people suffering for decades before this treatment came out and I am unbelievably thankful that I was able to start so soon after my diagnosis. It's incredibly expensive but the manufacturer has multiple programs to help people with and without insurance to cover the cost."

• a_nic...
• January 18, 2017

Xolair (omalizumab) "I'm a male in my mid 30's. Had hives for 3-6 month stretches with 3-6 month breaks since I was 15 years old. Symptoms were as bad as most people on here, but never needed a hospital visit. Got on Xolair shortly after it was approved by the FDA, around 2-1/2 years ago. Hives were gone within 24 hours and usually the only hive I see is if I'm over-extending my time between shots. Started at 2 shots per visit (300 mg total) every 4 weeks. Now taking 300mg every 6 weeks. Works like a charm. Wish they could get the cost down. Even with insurance and assistance programs I still end up paying a large amount out of pocket. All in all a VERY effective medication that I wish had been available years ago!"

• Moogy...
• November 3, 2016

Xolair (omalizumab) "Im 58 and female. After a hive free life I left my home in the S J Valley where the air is terrible (pollen and allergens are bad) to go to Hungary. I had no problem there but soon as I got back I had lost all immunity to the valley and hives came. After 9 mnths of hives, huge and tiny, itching, burning swelling hands, bottom of feet itch and swell, 2 trips to ER for anaphylactic shock, epi pen, prednisone, Benedryl, 2 Kenelog shots, Singulair, Zantac, Xyzol, Zyrtec and Xanax, after much research, I found Xolair is the only med approved for hives.I FINALLY got started.I am getting 150mg every 2 weeks rather than 300mg p/mo. It seems slow but gradually better. Still get rash, hives shrunk size and amount, only need 2 pills/not 12. Hopeful.."

• Dawne
• March 5, 2017

Xolair (omalizumab) "I started my Xolair shots May 2016 after suffering hive out breaks for 5 plus years. The shot worked immediately. I had 9 injections once monthly. Then I had a new insurance provider which requires me to start the regime Allegra, Zantac and Hydroxyzine HCL two times daily then adding Singular. Two days on Singular I had horrible outbreaks called my Allergy Dr. continued on with other meds waiting to get approved for Xolair. The shot cant come soon enough. Now I just hope I can afford it."

• itchy
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 26, 2017

Xolair (omalizumab) "I have been receiving xolair injections for about a year and a half for chronic hives. It has gotten rid of it about 90 percent. Once in awhile I still need one or two 25mg benadryl tabs but overall it seems to be working. I get 150mg injections every 2 weeks. Only side effect is every time I get an injection, within a few days I get 1 hive about 5 inches below injection site. It itches and resembles a bug bite. I know it's from Xolair because I switch arms and it always happens on whichever arm. I have noticed fatigue and exhaustion but not sure that is Xolair related. Sometimes still get pressure hives from underwear where elastic hits but overall much better. Had an insurance problem missed a month hives returned but ok now."

• Brown...
• June 1, 2022

Xolair (omalizumab) "I don't recommend. I developed severe side effects after third month of injections 300mg when changed to the abdomen. Side effects too severe to continue treatment. Limited space so will list all symptoms but some were severe skeletal, muscle and joint pain, severe muscle tightness, intense fatigue, severe insomnia, rapid weight gain, debilitating GI distress, tightness of bilateral achilles tendons, dry and prickly skin, dry eyes, hair loss, tooth ache, ear ache, hot flashes and stop menses"

• MrsSu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 30, 2017

Xolair (omalizumab) "I'm taking Xolair for Idiopathic Chronic Urticaria (UCI) after a few years of random allergic reactions (unknown origin) despite 3+ years of allergy shots. My allergist & I have never been able to identify the cause. He recommended Xolair because I have severe asthma as well (allergic, exercise induced and environmental) which was not responding well to 3 inhalers, Prednisone, nebulizer treatments (multiple types), allergy meds/shots, etc. Since starting Xolair over 2 years ago, my UCI has virtually disappeared and my asthma is dramatically better. I can actually go weeks without using Spireva, Dulera, Qvar, albuterol, etc. "

• Sharkie
• October 15, 2016

Xolair (omalizumab) "Had gives for 4 1/2 years. Multiple doctors and medications, this is the only one that worked and gave me my life back. The side effects( hard time losing weight) are worth not being covered in thousands of hives."