Omalizumab for Urticaria User Reviews

• IHate...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2020

Xolair (omalizumab) "I am getting my 6th shot next week. There is good news then bad! My first month I was tapering off of prednisone so I wasn’t sure if XOLAIR was working. 2nd month it did nothing, and then finally half way through month 3 my hives went away!!! Only if I continued to take antihistamines. It’s almost like it “activated” the antihistamines that hadn’t worked before. At the end of the month I would notice maybe 6 - 10 hives show up like it was “wearing off”, but that was nothing compared to 500+ before. Then I had my 5th shot, and started getting VERY bad hives again. The antihistamines slightly work, but the XOLAIR just STOPPED working like it did in month 3/4? I am currently waiting for approval for the 450mg dosage, and I hope XOLAIR starts working again! Has anyone had this experience? I will keep checking back to see if anyone has a similar story!"

• Moe
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 14, 2018

Xolair (omalizumab) "Suffered from chronic urticuria for 2 yrs. Was MISERABLE!! STARTED XOLAIR 1.5 yrs ago. Hives are GONE. BUT I feel I have severe side effects. Body pain so bad I can't function. I'm a very active person...generally..... Now I can barely get up to pee in the middle of the night!!!!! Anyone out there with the same problem????"

• Aida
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2021

Xolair (omalizumab) "I've had chronic urticaria for 6 months now. They started soon after my flu shot although my first allergist said it's not possible. Whatever! I tried everything including 4 Allegra a day, Singulair, Pepcid, Doxepin, Xyzal and the dreaded Prednisone. One trip to ER because of anaphylaxis. I am miserable. My new allergist started me on Xolair. Just got my 2nd dose and honestly after each dose, I flared up worse than when on my daily regimen of antihistamines. I am still waiting for my miracle. Unfortunately, I am experiencing back pain and knee pain. Although I do suffer with pain already, this pain is much worse and constant. I am not using a cane to get up when I sit down. Walking and standing are issues as well. Let me know if anyone else is experiencing same issues."

• Jano
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 10, 2020

Xolair (omalizumab) "Xolair is honestly a miracle drug for me. I had been experiencing full body hives (autoimmune urticaria) for months and I had reached my breaking point as no antihistamine worked. Then came Xolair. It took some time to work so you have to be patient but once it did, my quality of life dramatically improved. I no longer experience hives although I can tell when it is wearing off because I will start to itch a bit ( nowhere close to what my hives were like before). I receive monthly injections."

• Mary
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2020

Xolair (omalizumab) "I've been suffering from chronic urticaria for half a year with daily breakouts. Different parts of my body were always covered with lesions. I was on 3 different antihistamines and tried steroid therapy for a couple of months with no success. I was on the edge of depression because of constant pain and itch. I had my first 300mg shots a week ago and now my urticaria just disappeared. Had headache and fatigue the day after the shot but that was it. This drug was a miracle for me, changed my quality of life and, for the time being, no major side effects. I will have a better overall idea after six months I guess and I will be back with more comments."

• hihos...
• August 13, 2015

Xolair (omalizumab) "I have been living with chronic debilitating hives with angioedema for over 30 years! After my first injection of Xolair I have been almost virtually free of hives for 1 yr and 1 month! I got a few hives once and got another injection and they were gone. It has changed my life completley! No weight gain. Just a bit more tired than I use to be but that is fine with me. I can bike and do 1000 more things than I could ever do with hives. The pain was ungodly and I don't know how I lived that way and hope I never have to again,"

• Grate...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2019

Xolair (omalizumab) "After 8 years 5 dermatologist thousands of dollars my prayers have been answered with xolair . It has changed my life my skin no longer decides what I'm going to wear if I'm going to go out if I can plan a vacation I never thought I'd see the day where I didn't itch all over my body and cry myself to sleep. I am so grateful to the allergist who put me on this medication so far it is working for me I feel truly blessed it has been a long eight years I've missed out on so much by hiding especially in the summer trying to hide my arms I have worn a sleeveless shirt more in the past five months than I have in the last 8 years and it's winter time. I will post monthly on how I am doing and I wish I could thank personally whoever makes it possible to get this shot with a $5 copay I am truly grateful."

• Hives...
• February 10, 2016

Xolair (omalizumab) "I have had daily hives from June 2015 until October 2015, Despite prednisone and mega dose of Anti-Histamine, my hives kept coming every single day. I started xolair in October 2015 and took my first 150 ml shot in October 30, 2015, then In November27, 2015 and then in December 23, 2015. Unfortunately after my 3rd shot and on Christmas day, my hives came back with vengeance and I kept having them daily. The in January 13, 2016, I took 2 shots (300 ml) and still nothing. My hives have been getting worse on a daily basis. I am due for 2 shots next week again. I hope it will work out. Did anyone experience that? Xolair works for couple months then stopped working? Do you think it will work again after few more shots?"

• KayCee
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2014

Xolair (omalizumab) "After suffering for 8 years with my body exploding into itchy & painful hives & occasionally going into anaphylaxis, my immunologist screened me last year to start on Xolair for Autoimmune Chronic Urticaria, Angioedema, Anaphylaxis. I've been on bi-weekly shots since the start of this year. All I can say is that is a MIRACLE medication! I'm no longer mutating into a monster with head to toe hives, swollen eyes & lips, gasping for air & praying the Epi-Pens do their job before I die. Having been on corticosteroids for so long, I blew up like a parade float & started to have problems with bone degeneration & cataracts. 2 weeks after getting my initial injection; I said farwell to steroids!!! HUZZAH! Loving my life once again. :)"

• Jewels
• January 1, 2015

Xolair (omalizumab) "I have had 8 Xolair injections for Chronic Urticaria Autoimmune and I am thrilled it took four shots to get me off prednisone and to be hive free. I one by one removed all the other medicines. I HIGHLY recommend Xolair."

• Mello
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2020

Xolair (omalizumab) "I was skeptical since I was on 2 zyrtec, 1 allegra, 2 hydroxyzine, and topical steroid cream for hives. I tested negative for all the allergens through skin and blood testing, so no one knew what the problem was. By the second injection my hives stopped and it became a lot easier to breathe (didn't know I had breathing issues). I love Xolair, I do need it upped to 2 times a month since it works for about 3 weeks for me, but I really am happy I no longer am a blob of hives."

• Grate...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 15, 2020

Xolair (omalizumab) "Grateful here I first posted after I was on xolair for 3 months I am so happy to say 8 months later I love xolair I have no side effects I get an occasional hive here and there no full-blown skin rashes anymore. I feel for anyone out there who is suffering from skin conditions there is help out there you just got to find the right doctor took me 8 years. And find a doctor who will really listen to you. I also want to mention I also am on allergy shots for my allergist found things I didn't know I was allergic to so together with the xolair I have my life back. Don't give up."

• Hives...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2014

Xolair (omalizumab) "I have had CIU for over 13 years without remission. Horrible, painful, debilitating hives that grow for days before receding. I've never gone more than a couple of days without at least one hive, despite mega-doses of antihistamines and other doctor recommended medications. I'd tried it all! I received my first injection of Xolair 26 days ago and have not had one single hive! This medicine is, so far, the miracle I have been hoping and searching for, for 13 long years!"

• Aller...
• December 21, 2016

Xolair (omalizumab) "It seemed to be working but after ,10 Months and 20 injections, I suffered a severe allergic reaction.Apparantly you can develop a hypersensitivity to the injections,which can cause this.In doing extensive research this is much more common then 1 in a ,1000 people as reported by manufacturer,it is more like ,1 in every 100 people.I was one of those people and have suffered considerable.I have been ill since my last injections on March 31,2016. Was hospitalized 3 times and I am sicker then before using injections. Please research this medication in depth first! I question the safety of this medication!"

• Hive...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2015

Xolair (omalizumab) "This medicine saved my life! All of a sudden at the age of 39 I was covered in hives on a daily basis for months. Antihistamines and steroids didn't do the trick and I was miserable. Within 2 months of being on this I am completely hive free. I wouldn't be able to function without it. Love it!"

• Jenny...
• May 14, 2014

Xolair (omalizumab) "This has been a miracle for me, and I truly hope that it can help others! For the past two years, I've had chronic refractory idiopathic urticaria, nonresponsive to antihistamines and with angioedema. Four months ago, I began an omalizumab treatment course of 300 mg every 4 weeks. Within days of the first injection, I immediately noticed a huge decrease in the redness, size, and swelling of the hives, and since then, I've noticed a gradual reduction in the symptoms. I've been hive-free for almost a full month now. The only downside: without insurance, this is extremely expensive. But for me, I consider it absolutely worth it."

• Kel
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 29, 2019

Xolair (omalizumab) "18 years of urticaria & 18 years of daily prednisone. I tried every drug under the sun & absolutely nothing worked (except steroids) until I found Xolair. I can’t begin to explain how this drug has changed my life!"

• Tired
• June 19, 2020

Xolair (omalizumab) "Am female now 56 Had experienced chronic Urticaria Lasting a few months probably 3 times over approx 20years. The episodes occurred & disappeared on their own. However 2 years ago, it came again & tried the Zyrtec benadryls Zantac etc, only had relief with Prednisone. Eventually got approved for the monthly Xolair & have been going into hospital monthly for 2x150mg injections into the stomach. My concern was when do I stop taking these injections given the hives may go away, have been gradually delaying my injection by a week each cycle & have noticed that By week 8 a small amount of hives start to appear. I know the discomfort of severe hives so very reluctant to stop injections in fear of it returning but I am now starting to have severe knee pain & struggle to lift myself when I kneel down . Other Recent issue has been Redness/ rosacea on face which I now take different medication for & am unsure if it’s related to the Xolair. Anybody else experiencing this?"

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

Xolair (omalizumab) "I had CIU for a year and half before my first Xolair shot. For six months, I never went a day without hives, experienced the 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 6 months, no hives so we decided to try 6 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 workout just about every day. I look like I am pregnant but not ready to give up yet."

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

Xolair (omalizumab) "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!"

• E123
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2014

Xolair (omalizumab) "I have had chronic idiopathic uticaria 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!"

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

Xolair (omalizumab) "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 lb is a lot) It's is 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!"

• rajf
• June 11, 2020

Xolair (omalizumab) "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 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"

• Th3610
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2015

Xolair (omalizumab) "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 xolar?? 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."

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

Xolair (omalizumab) "I have had been diagnosed with severe Urticaria 3 months ago I was being rushed to ER every night for 2 weeks with anaphylaxis and a horrendous hive reaction and having to have adrenalin 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 break out since the injection I am concerned about the side effects, can anyone tell me if they have had similar and if they subside eventually. I understand everyone reacts differently but I am just wanting to get a feel for what others have experienced."