Omalizumab and Hair Loss: What Users Say

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

Omalizumab 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!"

• Bro...
• June 1, 2022

Omalizumab 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."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 17, 2025

Omalizumab for Urticaria "It worked great in the beginning, a year ago. The longer I use it, it seems to be less effective. I've now had hives 24/7 for 3 weeks. No relief from itching, skin is bruised from scratching. I've experienced hair loss, a cough, and at times my tongue swells. I'm currently taking 150 two times. Dermatology doctor has increased it to 2 injections two times a month. March will be my first time to use this much. Further testing is being done now, March 2025, and it seems I may need to change medications. Testing is ongoing at this point. Along with Xolair, I've been taking antihistamines daily. It all helped in the beginning, but the doctor thinks I have something else going on."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 28, 2019

Omalizumab for Asthma, Maintenance "I was given Xolair to control my severe asthma and lung damage that came from it. Xolair did solve my asthma issues. It also helped heal my lungs and stop me from getting constant infections. But the side effects of Xolair are real. I did not have any anaphylactic reactions. I did have body aches that felt like my bones were breaking, headaches, restless leg syndrome, bloating, hair loss, dizziness, tremors, and night terrors. My new health care stopped coverage of Xolair, so I stopped getting the shots. It's been 3 months, and I still have extreme body aches and restless legs. I hope it will go away someday."

• Ng2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2019

Omalizumab for Asthma, Maintenance "I’m on my 3rd Xolair 300 mg. I have experienced joint pain, leg and feet ache and hurt, and hair loss. I was told these were not side effects. It has helped me with my asthma, it is now controlled. Seeing a rheumatologist now!"

• Ela...
• December 2, 2016

For Urticaria "I started by waking up in February 2016 with head-to-toe hives, which remained until today. I still have hive breakouts and random angioedema spells. I get a shot a month, but I still have to take prednisone daily. I've been on prednisone since February 2016. I've lost so much hair and gained 45 lbs. I hate waking up still. I've been getting Xolair for 6 months, it takes the edge off, but not enough. Miserable in Georgia."