Omalizumab for Urticaria User Reviews (Page 3)

• Tre...
• October 31, 2016

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

• AJa...
• August 28, 2019

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, and some improvement in other symptoms... but no improvement in chronic GI symptoms and 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 didn't go away till the next morning... and the pre-filled syringes did absolutely nothing and 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, and after a couple weeks, regained some of the improvement I had lost."

• Mad...
• November 16, 2017

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 angioedema 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, I 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."

• PKa...
• March 19, 2018

Omalizumab "I have urticaria hives for almost 7 years. I have tried Zyrtec, Claritin, and all other medicines. No luck. Finally, I found Xolair. It really worked well for a while. I was amazed to have that injection every time. No hives, itching, redness. Yeah, I got what I needed. But after a year, I realized my elbow and palm were getting muscle pain and joint pain in fingers. And also, if I got a cold, it would take time to recover even if I had the cold and cough syrups. I used to have the cold for more than 10 days. Sneezing, coughing, runny nose. You can say, 'It might be allergies.' Yes, I tried Zyrtec for allergies also, nothing worked. Xolair destroys our immune system totally, whatever we built from our childhood. Sometimes, when you get a cold, people will have a fever tablet also for precaution. But after having the tablet only, they will feel fever. Same here, slowly you will be like an asthma patient after getting Xolair even if you don't have asthma. No Xolair. Avoid sugar whenever possible (sugar will lead to being itchy). Good luck."

• ROK...
• March 5, 2018

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 (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 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2016

Omalizumab "I am 72 years old and have suffered from chronic urticaria for 18 months now, 24/7, and my antihistamines and prednisone are no longer helping. My doctor suggested that I try Xolair. I have had my second 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."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 12, 2018

Omalizumab "This injection has done an amazing job eliminating CIU/DPU (chronic idiopathic urticaria/delayed pressure urticaria)! I have been getting 300 mg every 8 weeks for about a year and a half now with no side effects. I 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

Omalizumab "My daughter has chronic idiopathic urticaria 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."

• SCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2018

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 noticeable. Xolair has brought me back to the quality of life I expect."

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

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. Xolair has made a marked difference for me. It hasn't completely cleared me up, but the amount of hives has dramatically decreased. I still get angioedema though, but I don't panic like when it first started happening. I'm hoping as time goes on 1 - the hives will just go away completely (haha we all wish for that, right?) and 2 - if the hives don't go away, the shot will continue to lessen the severity of the breakouts."

• ban...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 13, 2018

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."

• CKa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 22, 2020

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."

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

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 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."

• MMK...
• 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."

• Alp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2018

Omalizumab "I'm on here because my mom takes these shots for idiopathic chronic hives. It isn't working for her unfortunately. We live states apart, and I've had some similar allergic reactions to some of you, but I had some luck in discovering the foundation for it. It's a 'rare' but becoming much more common allergy to mammalian meat and all mammal meat by-products caused by a tick bite called Alpha Gal allergy. Itchy hands and feet and delayed reaction are big indicators for it. There is a simple blood test to find out, and then you have to avoid mammal meat and their products like the plague. You can still eat poultry and fish, etc., but for some severe cases, you have to be a strict vegan about EVERYTHING. You would not believe the amount of everyday products that use the fat from a cow or the blood of a pig, etc. pretty gross, actually. Once you eliminate most to all of these, life improves dramatically! Anyway, hope this helps some of you!!!"

• Ami...
• September 16, 2016

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 up hope, and one day, I started looking again as my hives were out of control. I got a second opinion from another allergist, and he put me on Xolair. I 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. It's expensive if you don't have insurance, but if you do have insurance, I would suggest giving it a try."

• Sha...
• October 15, 2016

Omalizumab "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."

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

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, 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!!"

• Daw...
• March 5, 2017

Omalizumab "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."

• a_n...
• January 18, 2017

Omalizumab "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!"

• kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2013

"Chronic hideous urticaria, 17 years. Tried hundreds of antihistamines and off-label doses of stage 2 treatments, steroid-dependent daily for 13 years. Received omalizumab, within 36 hours, completely hive-free. Only downfall, have to get 3 shots every 2 weeks, but small price to pay. It's a miracle."

• Moo...
• November 3, 2016

Omalizumab "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."

• sel...
• October 6, 2015

"I'm 22 years old. I consider myself an extremely healthy individual. I got sick with a virus. I started to get mild hives. Eventually, I felt a lot better, but my hives persisted. I saw a few specialists, got tested, lots of blood drawn. My hives were caused by an autoimmune reaction. My hives continued to get worse daily for over two months, to the point where my entire face was swelling. Doctors gave me four times the amount of antihistamines to take daily, those did well to control it, but they still lingered. After the first week of my first Xolair injection, my hives completely disappeared. I continued to take the injection for the next two months and still am, but I am hive free! Not one hive! No side effects! I couldn't be happier with the results."

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

Omalizumab "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."

• Bro...
• June 1, 2022

Omalizumab "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."