Xolair User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Twe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 9, 2013

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have been taking Xolair injections for about a year now. My family doctor suggested that we try it because for the past 12 years I had such bad reactions to dust, mold, and any animals. After years of the typical allergy shots at the doctor's office, and having reactions from them - face swelling, throat shutting off, using the EpiPen - it was a weekly thing. Going to the grocery store and praying that the person in line did not have a cat at home, yikes! Well, Xolair is AMAZING! My family doctor 'diagnosed me with asthma' so I could get this medication. Though I only have asthma from the allergies, this medicine REALLY WORKS! Thank you for giving my life back! I can go all month now without an EpiPen injection!"

• San...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 5, 2015

For Urticaria "I had CIU for a year and a half before my first Xolair shot. For six months, I never went a day without hives, experienced lip swelling and face swelling once (never want that experience again). I was told by my allergist that I had exhausted all types of therapy, so Xolair was my last and only option. My first shot was in January, three days later, I was hive-free. I took monthly shots for six months, no hives, so we decided to try six weeks between shots, no hives. It is August now - no hives! Yes, it is expensive, but not being covered with hives from my head to my toes makes that worth it. I would agree that it has made me gain about 10 pounds, and I work out just about every day. I look like I am pregnant but am not ready to give up yet."

• Max...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "My mother was very excited to try Xolair. It seemed to help many people with asthma. Unfortunately, after her second shot, she experienced three of the common side effects: anxiety, severe joint pain, and a heart attack. She has been hospitalized for four days now, and today the doctor came in to talk about end-of-life care. Buyer beware."

• Th3...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2015

For Urticaria "Yesterday I received my 4th shot. For the past 2 months, it seemed after week 3 I would start getting small patches of hives. This last month, on the 3rd week (week-10 days before I was due to receive my shots), my hives came in pretty bad. My ankles and feet start to itch, then it works its way up my legs to my mid-torso. I have to say I'm panicking since receiving my shot yesterday, and taking 2 Benadryl, even 4-5 hrs, and Zyrtec, I'm covered with itchy hives!! Can it be that our bodies become immune to the Xolair?? Please let me know because I feel like my freedom is taken away from me, right as I was so happy and confident being hive-free."

• E12...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2014

For Urticaria "I have had chronic idiopathic urticaria for over 17 years. Since I was 3, all I can remember is the stress, pain, embarrassment, etc. that this condition has caused me. Now, at age 20, I'm finally receiving the medicine I've been hoping and praying for. For a while, Doxepin combined with many different types of antihistamines worked to reduce the amount of hives I would get. Now, only prednisone will temporarily help my hives. Prednisone has caused me to gain weight. Nothing has worked to reduce my hives other than the prednisone, until I found Xolair. The shot did hurt, but it's worth the pain. Towards the end of my first shot, I did get a lot of hives. I'm hoping the next few reduce them even more. I am so happy to have Xolair!"

• liz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 1, 2018

For Asthma, Maintenance "I started Xolair and had wonderful results for about 4 months, and then I began to experience a lot of hair loss. When I complained to my doctor, they denied that it was the Xolair, but it is a known side effect. Then I began to have extreme joint discomfort, and it got worse after each shot. Finally, I had a positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) test, and I have never had anything like that!! I have been off the Xolair for 2 months without much relief of my joints, although my hair loss has slowed down. I was told it will take time for it to all get out of my system. I don't want to say it's a terrible drug because not everyone has these side effects. But I hope that anyone who is wondering if the cause of their issues could be Xolair, it probably is!"

• Reb...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 5, 2016

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have been taking Xolair for 5 years now. It is an amazing medicine. I only have one fully developed lung, so I had asthma pretty bad. I am also allergic to elm trees, so I would get hives and itching a lot when I was outside. No more trips to the ER anymore, and I can go outside and not have to wear jackets in summer due to the trees giving me hives. I have had no side effects so far. All I know is this drug works for me. It has changed my life."

• Rob...
• March 16, 2016

For Asthma, Maintenance "This is my second time I have been on this medication. I was on it about 5 years ago for severe asthma and had to stop because of cost and insurance not covering it. I went from a 42% lung capacity to 65% in just about 6 months. I felt great, and over about 3 years I started to decline again. I started back thanks to better insurance and the co-pay assistance and feel a lot better. My lung capacity still is not great, but I have gone from using my rescue inhaler several times a day to using it only about once every few weeks. So far, I have been lucky enough to not have any side effects. I highly recommend it, but be sure you get the co-pay assistance in place before starting it."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2018

For Urticaria "I have been diagnosed with severe urticaria 3 months ago. I was rushed to the ER every night for 2 weeks with anaphylaxis and a horrendous hive reaction, having to have adrenaline administered to ease it. I have now just started my first injection of Xolair. I must say the side effects have not been pleasant. I have experienced severe itching of my eyes, muscular and joint pain, and horrible headaches. Although I have not had a breakout since the injection, I am concerned about the side effects. Can anyone tell me if they have had similar experiences and if they subside eventually? I understand everyone reacts differently, but I am just wanting to get a feel for what others have experienced."

• Ben...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 11, 2017

For Asthma, Maintenance "I am glad to see that so many people had a positive experience with Xolair on this review page. I hope these reviews are real. I was fine on Xolair for about a year, although I will say I did not notice too much difference. In fairness, my asthma was relatively under control at the time with a daily steroid (Symbicort). One day after a shot, I experienced what can only be described as the most ridiculous sounding symptom on the Xolair box: feelings of impending doom. This was 3 years ago, and I have suffered from severe anxiety ever since. My life, including my marriage, has been drastically affected by Xolair. PLEASE use caution before taking this and, more importantly, before letting your children take it."

• Mar...
• February 26, 2016

For Urticaria "I have had chronic hives every day all over my body since 1982. I went to many doctors and had all kinds of tests, and no one could find out why. I researched the internet a few times a year to see if there was any new research done that would prove to be helpful. Last year, I read about Xolair. After a long discussion with my doctor, we decided to try Xolair injections. On the day of my first injection, I had a swollen hive 4' by 6' on my back that was very painful. After the shot, it started to shrink, and I haven't had one single hive since then. I am thrilled. No side effects. My health insurance covers almost all of the cost. I am so thankful to finally be relieved of so many years of suffering!"

• mic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 13, 2012

For Asthma, Maintenance "This medicine is a miracle, it has changed my life completely. Before Xolair, I was being admitted to hospital via ambulance every 6-7 days, with ICU admissions. Without this medicine, I would not be alive today, as there was nothing else that would help. I have tried everything going, every attack via ambulance, they were injecting me with adrenaline until they got me to the hospital."

• sus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 11, 2013

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have had far fewer asthma attacks and allergies since being on Xolair injections every 2 weeks and have become a lot less dependent on my rescue inhaler. I've been on this medicine for at least 4 years and have had no adverse effects and I highly recommend it... it has changed my life."

• Jim...
• February 16, 2016

For Asthma, Maintenance "I've been taking this injection monthly for 9 years and have been extremely happy with the way it's improved my quality of life. I use my rescue inhaler less, and I need prednisone courses very infrequently. Although I try hard to be regimented about getting my shot, I forget to schedule the appointment and/or the delivery to my doctor's office. My body can tell when it's ready for the next one. I feel badly for the person who's posted with such hostility on here about it not working for him/her. It's a godsend for me and many other severe asthmatics."

• raj...
• June 11, 2020

For Urticaria "I have been on Xolair for 2 years next month. I have had months with no hives and some flares in between. I get 150 mg in each arm every four weeks. I know I have had some side effects, even though the allergist disagrees with me. But I have worked through them, and the benefits are worth taking, even though there are a lot of risks. I was hoping to be off all the antihistamines and prescription Singulair by now, but still having to take them all with the Xolair. I don't know how much longer I can stay on the Xolair. My worry is what will happen to me once it is stopped. I worry I will go back to being covered in hives again. I cannot go back to that, I have had a very much better quality of life by taking the Xolair."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2014

For Urticaria "I started taking Xolair, and while it eliminated my hives (yay!), I experienced terrible stomach problems (constant gas and bloating) and weight gain of about 10 lbs that I cannot seem to lose. (I'm small, so 10 lbs is a lot.) It's hugely annoying - I feel pregnant, and I am very active and fit and have always been able to maintain my weight, and now I can eat almost nothing and work out, and it's still there. Going off of Xolair, hope this problem resolves itself. Annoying!"

• Kel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 20, 2015

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have been taking this medication on and off for the last 6 years. The only reason I didn't take it the whole time was because I was pregnant twice and insurance issues the other time. When I'm not on this medication, I can't even so much as look at a cat or dog. I have not had to take oral steroids monthly like I used to, only now maybe once a year when I get a cold or flu. I was so restricted in what I could do before I took Xolair, now I can go to the gym or play with the kids just fine. I would recommend it to anyone who has asthma and is allergic to an animal."

• Anonymous
• September 28, 2012

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have been on this medicine for 7 months, and it has absolutely changed my life. The severity of my asthma was so bad that it would land me in the hospital at least once every two months. And I mean admitted for like a week, not just ER visits. I take 300 mg 4 times a month. The results are phenomenal. I am able to do things and participate in physical activities that I haven't been able to do in years. I have zero side effects, and although it is a pain to have to go to the infusion center at the hospital once a week, it is beyond worth it. If the possible benefits outweigh the possible risks, I would definitely recommend Xolair."

• Mik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 12, 2012

For Asthma, Maintenance "I was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 2. For years, I was a very sick, steroid-dependent child. At the age of 11, I was admitted to the number 1 asthma and immunology hospital in the world, as an inpatient for just over a year. I did gain a little more control over my asthma but missed many, many days of school. In my early 20s, I became disabled due to my asthma. For years, I would do the emergency room thing, be admitted to the local hospital into ICU for a week or so at a time, several times each year. I've been intubated several times due to respiratory failure. I've only been to the ER twice since being on Xolair. All of my other medicines have been discontinued. Thank you."

• Dan...
• August 16, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have been on Xolair for 4 years now. I am currently 38 yo. Prior to starting injections, I was in the hospital 6-8 times a year for pneumonia, low O2 levels, pleurisy, you know - the usual asthma nonsense. I had been taking prednisone (the only thing that semi-worked) and was at the point of 120 mg of that to breathe and be able to function. I ended up with Cushing's disease from the steroids. This was the most miserable time of my life. Xolair took about 8 months of injections to work. I continue to go monthly for 2 injections, and I can honestly say that this has been life-saving. I can play all the sports I used to, run a 5k again, chase my kids around, and haven’t even had so much as a cold in 3 years. That’s saying a lot - I’m a kindergarten teacher! Miracle drug!"

• Ame...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 28, 2019

For Urticaria "Prior to starting Xolair a little over 1 year ago, I have had chronic hives for 18 years. More days with than without hives. Swelling of face, lips, eyes, hands, and feet. Hospitalized several times. In ER at least 10 times a year. Xolair ended all of that. A small, manageable flare-up infrequently. No side effects whatsoever. This medicine has restored my quality of life as well as my sanity. I no longer feel as if my hives will one day kill me if a hospital isn't nearby. Thank you, makers of Xolair!"

• Ray...
• July 20, 2019

For Urticaria "I've been taking it for a year now and still going, it is a miracle. It helped me with asthma, urticaria, redness, and all over my body rashes! Thank goodness for it. But I’m always in joint pain! Should I take anything for it?"

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 4, 2019

For Urticaria "I was diagnosed with CIU 2.5 years ago, but have been suffering for over 6 years. I have been taking Xolair for almost 2 years now. In the beginning, it did wonders for me. I had no flare-up, almost no itchiness at all. It was a miracle. Then this summer, after 1.5 years of 350 mg/4 weeks, it stopped working. I am taking 100 to 150 mg of Benadryl every 6 hours, and still, the itching is driving me crazy. To be able to sleep, I need to strap an ice pack to my legs and arms to calm the itching. Anyone else is in the same boat? Thanks."

• Fay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 19, 2020

For Urticaria "I've been suffering for 18 years with this crazy hives. I did all the pills, I'm still taking 1 Zyrtec a day, one Singulair a day, 150 mg Xolair shot a month. I'm clean and clear, and thank God. Finally, after many years of misery, I thought I was the only person out there suffering. The shot has been a miracle for me, but I do agree with the sugar cravings and weight gain. I have to diet and watch what I eat all the time so I don't blow up, but I'm very grateful for the shot, it has changed my life back to normal."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 23, 2020

For Urticaria "Two years ago, I was diagnosed with CIU - chronic idiopathic urticaria - which made my life miserable, holding my ice pack all day long, everywhere I go, until my doctor introduced me to Xolair injection. I got relief instantly. I get 2 shots of 150 mg every 4 to 6 weeks. I'm so blessed this medicine has worked for me."