Omalizumab for Urticaria User Reviews (Page 4)

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

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 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."

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

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 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."

• Lon...
• June 25, 2017

Omalizumab "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."

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

Omalizumab "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."

• Jul...
• May 20, 2015

"Yeah, well... we ended up at the end of the road with the Xolair for my daughter's treatment for her chronic hives. Every day of being miserable, covered in hives that itched, burned, and were severely painful, along with swelling of many parts of her body to excruciating levels. She started the Xolair injections in January 2015. For the first three months, they worked wonderfully. She only had minimal hives. After the April injections, she flared up that same night and has every day since. I thought at first they gave her the wrong shot in April, and then for the May shot, we'd be able to know for sure if they gave her the wrong thing. Well, we had the May injections last week, and the same thing. She's covered in hives."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2015

"I developed CIU approximately 4 months ago and have never gone a day without extensive hives, except when on prednisone and the first 3 weeks after my first Xolair shots. Since then, I have had two more rounds of Xolair, but the hives are not going away, and I'm terribly disappointed. Have not given up the other antihistamines prescribed by my allergist. Does anyone know how long Xolair takes before it starts knocking out the hives?"

• Ama...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2018

Omalizumab "Was diagnosed with chronic urticaria 4 months ago, with no signs of relief. Once the shot kicked in after a few days, the breakout periods extended. I haven't had the hives, which is great, as they covered me from head to toe, but I still suffer from lips and face swelling up like balloons every week or so. Hopefully, my next shot will fix that! Experienced no side effects at all."

• Obi...
• January 12, 2020

Omalizumab "I took Xolair for over 1 year; at times I would get hives. My issue: I still had to take Zyrtec, Allegra, Singulair, Zantac, and Benadryl at least 2, sometimes 3. I used to have lip swelling, and that definitely improved; however, my last shot was Dec 6. Our insurance changed, so I have not had a Jan shot, and this morning I have broken out again. My problem with the shot: if 3 or pills work, why pay so much for it? I have had hives for 29 years."

• hiv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2015

"Broke out with hives probably like 5 or 6 months ago, then had them every day. Tested for allergies, didn't change diet, nothing new, and didn't change detergents. Nothing seemed to be the root cause. Was put on various medicines such as prednisone and allergy meds and doxepin. Finally got Xolair shots. Got two shots at once and have to get them once a month, but it worked! Honestly, hives all over your body every day really brings you down. This brought down my hives a lot in a few days, then after a few days, I was hive-free. Going from every day for months to nothing for the past week has really improved my self-esteem. It's looking really good so far. Recommend it if you've tried everything else."

• Itc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2019

Omalizumab "I have had chronic spontaneous urticaria for 9 months. After going through all the OTC drugs and prescription drugs, I was started on Xolair injections 6 weeks ago and have had 2 shots. I have experienced no change in the severity of the hives nor the itching since starting the injections. I've been told Xolair can take 12 to 16 weeks to fully take effect, so I'm still hoping it will work. In the meantime, I'm losing sleep, tearing at my skin, and have become a recluse as I don't want people to see me scratching all the time. I started having acupuncture, cupping, and herbal treatment 2 weeks ago, and that helps for a day or two. However, the cost of 3 to 4 acupuncture treatments a week has resulted in my savings all gone just to get some relief from this infernal itching. I have been to the ER, and they can't give me prednisone or other steroids as I'm on warfarin."

• Jea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 24, 2015

"I've had CIU for 15 years, have been to docs from Boston to Colorado, and more cocktails of different medications on and off label. The hives took away lots of my life! Welts and angioedema. Started Xolair ten months ago. Very few hives for several months, then they were all gone. After 5 months, I came off all other antihistamines. Now hive-free! Still get one shot once a month."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 4, 2020

Omalizumab "Helps a great deal when the pharmacy will ship it on time. However, for those who have a problem with hives, look into mast cell activation disorder. Particularly if there are other symptoms that may seem unrelated."

• J J...
• August 4, 2017

Omalizumab "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."

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

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!"

• Mlw...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 5, 2019

Omalizumab "I had chronic hives for 2 months, and Zyrtec and Zantac did not help. Prednisone was the only thing that stopped them. I was approved for Xolair in month 3. On the 3rd injection, I no longer have hives. After 12 months, developed side effects of stuffy nose, headaches, chills, hot flushed face."

• MLW...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 7, 2019

Omalizumab "I had hives starting July 2018, and Zyrtec & Zantac did not help, but prednisone did. After 2 months, insurance approved Xolair. I was told up front it would take 3 Xolair injections to feel relief, and it did. After 8 months of Xolair, I began having side effects of chills, cold/painful hands and feet. After 11 months, I had nasal congestion, sore throat, headaches, and cough that have lasted 4 months with no relief. They start to get a little better, then get worse after injection, but the provider refuses to admit it is Xolair causing it. I am considering dropping Xolair to see if hives are gone, and unfortunately, the only guidance on discontinuing is from Johns Hopkins in that it wears off in 6 to 12 months and has not cured hives. Hopefully, my body has when I stopped. I believe this is a big moneymaker for my provider, who charges me $250 just to give an injection. Thankfully, I have the Genentech/Novartis $5 copay for injection cost and Xolair cost."

• LBa...
• March 19, 2021

Omalizumab "I had severe hives all over my body for 4 months before starting Xolair treatments. The hives started clearing up within a week of receiving my first dose. I have a few days of headache, fatigue, feeling feverish after the injections. It's 100% worth it, though."

• Kri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2018

Omalizumab "I had chronic hives for almost 5 years, and nothing worked. I was ready to totally break down and knew Xolair was my last hope! Had my first shot a month ago and have had no hives, no edema, no itching, and lots of smiles, and am feeling like me again! Do whatever it takes to get this med if you are at the end of your rope. The only side effect has been dental pain, which has been way more manageable! Forever grateful for Xolair!"

• Des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2018

Omalizumab "I have had another appointment, but with no effect on histamine intolerance. I am on my second dose, but things still are getting worse. Why should I need to still take my previous preventive pills if Xolair is supposed to work? It is not working, sorry!"

• yov...
• April 4, 2015

"I have had pretty severe CIU for a couple of years now. Before the Xolair, I was taking cyclosporine BID, Plaquenil BID, Allegra BID, ranitidine BID (and other various doses and combinations of antihistamines to no avail), prednisone PRN (whenever I developed angioedema, which was a few times a month), and I was about 50% controlled (once or twice daily, mild to moderate outbreaks with severe outbreaks about 1x/week). I was able to add Xolair last June. It took a few months, and I have not been able to get off any of my other medications, but I am at >90% control. I feel like I have my life back. =) I am still hoping I will be able to get off some of this other stuff, but at least I feel normal again."

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

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."

• Abb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 7, 2015

Omalizumab "Urticaria: I'm 34 years old, Indian male and working in UAE for the past 3 years. Suddenly, one day, I developed hives and swelling on my lip, then consulted a dermatologist and started to live with an antihistamine tablet called Lezine. All three reports, blood, urine, and stool, were normal. But these hives used to come on my body almost once a month, but they were not severe ones. It used to be on my thighs, legs, and shoulders, sometimes on my lip. I was not able to trace the reasons. I did an IgE component test, it was expensive, however, this was also normal. Today, I finally planned to go on Xolair injection, took 2 shots same time, i.e., 300 ml, thank God my insurance approved this expensive injection. I will update you guys accordingly about the effect."

• jus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 18, 2024

Omalizumab "For the longest time, I've had hives that were red, and I mean it was all over my body. It would heat up to the point I felt like I was burning, and it would burn my skin. I finally found someone that would listen to me because I've been unhappy my whole life. She did her research, they did biopsies, and it came back as normal hives. I also have other conditions along with this, but this is the only medication that's ever helped me. I've never had any negative side effects. I absolutely love it, and thank you for making it, to whoever did. At first, I did most of my shots at the doctor's office, and then we moved to at home. It was easy to use the syringes with the safety features, it's wonderful, especially if you have children. I am on 300 mg once a month."

• Abe...
• April 10, 2018

Omalizumab "I suffer from urticaria for 11 months and I had my 1st Xolair injection last month, and I am going to take the 2nd in a few days. I suffer from joint and muscle pain even before I had my Xolair medication, and it is still there. I can say that I am feeling better, especially with the hives and the rash, although they appear, but still, they are not as severe as before. I hope that better results are seen with my coming injections."

• Jew...
• February 14, 2016

"Xolair saved me from a miserable existence. I have been on it, having monthly shots for over a year and a half. It takes 4 shots to work well and 6 for headaches to stop. Highly recommend. Hive-free since the 6th shot. Don't let headaches and pain discourage you."