Xolair User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

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

For Urticaria "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 I 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 vitamin D and CIU."

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

For Urticaria "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, or 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 effect or my daughter sharing her cold, hehe. I read so many of these positive posts, and I am so excited to have started treatment!!"

• lmo...
• November 23, 2009

For Asthma, Maintenance "My son's life is a lot better now that he is receiving this treatment. Why is this medication so expensive? We are on a scholarship through a hospital. My son started treatment in Feb 2009, and his absent rate has gone down. We were in the emergency room too many times. The schools in LA County were going to call the D.A., even with legal doctor's notes. This medication has helped us, and my son went from a 'D' to an 'A' and honor roll!"

• Bro...
• June 1, 2022

For Urticaria "I don't recommend. I developed severe side effects after the third month of injections, 300 mg, 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, toothache, earache, hot flashes, and stopped menses."

• J J...
• August 4, 2017

For Urticaria "I had 1 injection less than a month ago and recently started having the following symptoms: intense fatigue, herpes outbreak, painful joints in hands and knees, neck pain, cough, sore throat, depression."

• ROK...
• March 5, 2018

For Urticaria "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 (300 mg - 150 mg 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."

• Gra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 10, 2018

For Asthma, Maintenance "My experience with Xolair was life-changing. I struggled with chronic asthma and allergies my whole childhood and teenage years. My allergist prescribed this shot to me, so I could eventually be healthy enough to receive allergy shots. I started Xolair at age 13 and received my last dose of it when I was 16. Xolair was worth the pain, time, and money. The serum is extremely thick, and I received 3 shots of it every 2 weeks, but nothing compares to the quality of life I have now. I recommend this drug to anyone who has exhausted all options, who has maxed out on maintenance medication, who frequently finds themselves on Prednisone and antibiotics for the common cold, and can't remain healthy enough to receive allergy shots."

• Hnb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2016

For Asthma, Maintenance "Awful... was on it for 3 months, made my asthma worse... I think if your IgE levels are lower than 700, then maybe it could work, but for me, mine were so high it didn't. Luckily, I didn't have enough to pay, but it cost 10k a month, and I had to spend every other week at the doctor."

• pba...
• November 19, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have been taking the Xolair shots for 4 months now, and I have really bad leg pain, and my feet hurt, headaches, and dizziness. When I said something to my doctor about it, he said I must have hurt myself, no side effects of the shots. I'm tired all the time. It really has helped me, but I'm tired of the side effects."

• Jac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 8, 2023

For Urticaria "I have had chronic hives since they randomly appeared one day when I was about 8. I have been taking Allegra and Zyrtec for years, and that has helped a bunch, but I still got flare-ups now and then. Finally, my doctor recommended Xolair. At first, it seemed to work, at least for the first two weeks. Then my hives started to flare up, covering my whole body and becoming unresponsive to any medicines. My doctor increased my dosage, but that has only made them worse. I have them every day. They are more painful and itchy than before I started taking Xolair. Side effects: for me, I have noticed that I am constantly tired. I used to be a night owl, and now I can barely make it past 9 p.m. I sleep 12 hours and wake up feeling exhausted. I have noticed some bone and muscle pains too. I feel a lot weaker overall. And I’m only 20. In conclusion, this drug might work for some, but for me, it only made things worse."

• a_n...
• January 18, 2017

For Urticaria "I'm a male in my mid 30s. 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 300 mg 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!"

• Moo...
• November 3, 2016

For Urticaria "I'm 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 as soon as I got back, I had lost all immunity to the valley, and hives came. After 9 months of hives, huge and tiny, itching, burning swelling hands, bottom of feet itch and swell, 2 trips to the ER for anaphylactic shock, epipen, prednisone, Benadryl, 2 Kenalog shots, Singulair, Zantac, Xyzal, 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."

• Hon...
• June 12, 2018

For Asthma, Maintenance "Highly recommend Xolair. Was in the clinical trials for Xolair well over 10 years ago. Before Xolair, I was a severe asthmatic who could be found in the hospital almost monthly due to allergic asthma. I received 2 injections every 2 weeks... until I became allergic to it. The company requested - and received - my DNA in order to help them understand why I became allergic and to help others in the future. Xolair was a miracle drug for me - and still is. We don't know why, but it seems to have had a residual effect of some sort with me. A year after stopping the injections, I was stung 2-3 times by yellow jackets. I would have immediately gone into anaphylaxis without the residual effect of the Xolair. Instead, I drove myself to the ER (EpiPen ready to use) without any problems. There was a 'typical' reaction of swelling and pain around the site of the stings with no other reactions."

• Daw...
• March 5, 2017

For Urticaria "I started my Xolair shots in May 2016 after suffering hive outbreaks 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 of Allegra, Zantac, and Hydroxyzine HCL two times daily, then adding Singulair. Two days on Singulair, I had horrible outbreaks, called my allergy doctor, continued on with other meds, waiting to get approved for Xolair. The shot can't come soon enough. Now I just hope I can afford it."

• itc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 26, 2017

For Urticaria "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 a while, I still need one or two 25 mg Benadryl tabs, but overall it seems to be working. I get 150 mg injections every 2 weeks. The only side effect is every time I get an injection, within a few days I get 1 hive about 5 inches below the 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 okay now."

• Sha...
• October 15, 2016

For Urticaria "Had it 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."

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

For Urticaria "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 and 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 Spiriva, Dulera, Qvar, albuterol, etc."

• Oli...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 13, 2018

For Asthma, Maintenance "At first, I was a little nervous to get Xolair after reading a lot of info online. Let me tell you, starting the injections was the BEST decision! I was at the point that I stopped going out with my friends or doing anything at all, because my asthma drained me and I was always scared of going into an asthma attack. After starting the injections, I feel like I’m able to breathe so much better and barely ever have attacks! I think I’ve had 1 since I started getting the injections... My asthma is sometimes bothered but nothing like it was before. Thank God for Xolair!"

• 70i...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2017

For Asthma, Maintenance "At the age of 67, I developed allergic asthma after moving to SW Florida. I've had chronic sinusitis for years but controlled it with O/C medications. The multiple asthma attacks (with lack of breath) were daily. I had to use inhalers and a nebulizer. After 2 years of trying different medications, the allergist said, 'we're going to try Xolair.' Used it for 6 months and no change. Have now been changed to Nucala. Too early to tell its effects. An inhaler called QVAR seems to be keeping me in good health until the Nucala does its job."

• Mim...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 12, 2019

For Urticaria "I have been on Xolair for the past 2 years for idiopathic urticaria (IU), and it worked great until we switched to the prefilled vials. Now they do not work at all. I will be going back to see if the medication starts to work for me again. I do not want this drug to stop working as my IU was fairly under control. I am so miserable. I hope that I do not have to go on steroids. Has anyone asked about using Dupixent? I think I am going to ask at my next app."

• Nei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2017

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have been on this drug for 6 months, and I must be in that % that doesn't work well for. I honestly feel like a guinea pig, and I am going to stop taking this medicine. For all who take it and it works, I am happy for you."

• Mr ...
• May 19, 2020

For Asthma, Maintenance "Severe asthma, was previously on Nucala. It didn't help that much. Regular bouts of bronchitis and other chest infections. Ok, 8 days ago I received 300 mg of Xolair. Shortly after the injections, I could feel my chest starting to loosen up. The next 7 days I could breathe pretty easily, only using my nebulizer every other day. Now for the side effects I have experienced so far... (Drum roll) nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, leg cramps, sore muscles, and extreme fatigue. The fatigue is fading, but everything else is still here. I added Alka-Seltzer chewables to my daily regime and I do not eat that much now (not a bad thing for me). I'm 39 years old. I'm trying to get my quality of life back. While I can breathe now and breathe well, now I must figure out a plan to deal with the side effects. Does it work for my asthma? Yes! Do the side effects negate the ease of being able to breathe? That is TBD."

• Lon...
• June 25, 2017

For Urticaria "Chronic hives for 1 year - took all the antihistamines and prednisone. The only thing that kicked the hives was a prednisolone pack that I recently took after the Xolair shot did not work. I have had 8 Xolair shots (monthly injections), and at first, they were very effective. After the 6th one, I had recurring hives and angioedema return, so I am back on a large dose of Allegra and am nightly taking hydroxyzine. Xolair seems to help with the size of the hives and the amount when breaking out. Weight gain is definitely noticed, but due to prednisone prior to the shot, I can't be certain it is all due to Xolair. Will continue on Xolair and perhaps look at a Kenalog shot."

• Aly...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 13, 2018

For Urticaria "I had been getting hives head to toe for 3 years before trying Xolair. Honestly, it was so miserable. I had two allergists trying me on prednisone, Singulair, doxepin, something like that (in short, it was a crazy pill regimen), and that didn't even alleviate the hives in the slightest - just made me depressed and jittery. Until one day, I went to a new doctor and he let me try Xolair. Immediately after the first shot, my hives were 80% better, and by the second shot, 4 weeks later, I was 100% no hives. My skin is super sensitive in general, so sometimes I still get itchy, or if I go past my 4 weeks, some hives develop again. But it is so much better than waking up red, blotchy, and itchy every freaking day. Xolair has really changed my life. Although, I wish it was more definite when I can get off of it. I think you kind of just have to wait for your body allergies to change (meanwhile Xolair will still suppress the hives). All in all, I would still get on it if I had to do it again."

• WJM...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 28, 2024

For Urticaria "I started getting monthly Xolair 300mg (2x150mg, one in each arm), injections in January of 2023, after a months-long bout of flare-ups of urticaria/angioedema. I had been suffering from intermittent flare-ups of these for several years and was just taking antihistamines along with Prednisone periodically to control it. In January of 2023, my allergist at the time suggested trying Xolair, and am I glad I did. This drug has done wonders for me. I haven't had a single flare-up of either urticaria or angioedema ever since! I started out with monthly injections every 4 weeks, but after 6 months, we decided to extend it to every 6 weeks, and I haven't had any issues by extending it. I haven't had any issues with side effects of any kind. This drug is extremely expensive and I would have never gotten on it without the help of insurance. I have never had an out-of-pocket expense that I was responsible for. Also, these injections don't make my arms ache or hurt at the injection sites!"