Xolair for Asthma, Maintenance User Reviews (Page 2)

• Kin...
• December 30, 2015

"Got sick (flu) or so I thought. I went to work. Went home, next morning, could barely walk. I went to urgent care, got a wheelchair. Doc said I had a bad asthma attack. Admitted me to the hospital for a while. Seen a pulmonologist, who suggested I try Xolair. That was over 2 years ago, it changed my life. I get shots every 2 weeks."

• Awe...
• September 4, 2010

"I've been on Xolair for 4 months, 2 shots 1 time a month, and now as I approach my 5th month. The doctor is talking about decreasing my Advair. I currently take 500 of Advair and have not had to use my rescue inhaler in a very long time. I was diagnosed with COPD about 6 years ago, but my symptoms have totally reversed themselves, and I am doing very well. The doctor tells me that I may only get down to 100 of Advair, but I think my asthma is doing great. Xolair is a great medicine."

• Bia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2019

"So far, I have had two shots of Xolair. I will say my breathing is somewhat better, I'm not using my rescue inhaler as often as I have been. I'm able to do things that I hadn't been able to do for a long time due to my asthma. I have noticed I am experiencing more headaches than normal, my vision is blurry. My blood pressure has gone up, and my legs ache and cramp. I have mentioned this to my nurse practitioner. I was told, let's keep an eye on it, that's kind of odd, so now I'm at the point where I don't even want to take the shot anymore due to all the side effects."

• FCH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2017

"I have just received my 4th Xolair shot. I get them every two weeks. While I do think the shot is making a difference, I am also discovering I am having some common side effects. Apparently, I am getting dehydrated and have some dizziness. Anyone else have side effects, and how long did they last? I was so concerned with the possibility of an anaphylactic reaction I did not catch that I was experiencing common side effects."

• WeN...
• May 14, 2011

"I have been on Xolair since June 2009, and I can somewhat tell a difference. I don't use my rescue inhaler as much as I used to, and I don't get bronchitis as much. My maintenance medicines have not changed at all over the last few years. Still on the same doses and medicines. I have been using a lot more of Prednisone though."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 9, 2012

"This medication given bi-weekly, 3 injections each visit (150 mg), has been life-changing. Having been in an induced coma to save my life, followed by a tracheotomy, and in and out of the hospital many times last year, I needed this. I went from a lung rating of 8/10 (serious) to 0.8 in 4 visits. My lungs have vastly improved, and my Prednisolone (steroid) is stabilized. Fortunately, I qualify for funding as a government patient. I only had one reaction - with the very first dose - a rash. Now I take an antihistamine before I leave home for the injections."

• Dav...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 6, 2017

"I developed allergies in my 30s and then asthma. Within 5 years, the asthma and allergies became severe, having anaphylaxis and systemic reactions to medicines and foods, while inhalants caused severe asthma reactions. I saw 6 allergy specialists, and I was told there wasn't anything else they could do. I had an anaphylactic reaction to both allergy skin testing and an allergy immunolytics therapy injection. Finally, in 2008, an allergist recommended Xolair. After 4 months, I noticed the seasonal allergies and number of asthma issues decreased. I haven't had an anaphylactic reaction since 2010. I now just take Allegra daily and live a regular life."

• JFa...
• May 7, 2018

"I have had a very positive response from these injections. I've just started my 7th month. From constantly taking Ventolin, being breathless, coughing, and unable to exercise, I am now back to normal, no Ventolin used in the last 7 months, where I used to use 5 to 7 Ventolin scripts a month. Feeling great."

• Enr...
• November 14, 2015

"I've had asthma since childhood, and at 57 years old, my asthma attacks were so bad I tried everything. My allergist suggested Xolair. My asthma is under control. I feel great with regular injections twice a week. I thank my doctor and Xolair. If your asthma is bad, give it a try. God bless."

• Anonymous
• July 9, 2010

"I've been taking the shots for 6 months now and have only had 2 episodes of mild asthma. Before the shots, I had severe asthma for 27 years and was on steroids for 27 years. Needless to say, my bones have suffered the consequences of steroids. I wish this drug wasn't so expensive. It saves lives. It changes lives, but most people can't afford it! Including myself. I was completely disabled from asthma, but Medicaid approved this drug for me for 6 months. It has made an amazing difference."

• Tul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2019

"Xolair was prescribed to treat my severe asthma and chronic urticarias, but after my first shot, I had an anaphylactic reaction. They brought me to the emergency room and I was able to go back home 5 hours later, but unfortunately, I had another delayed anaphylactic reaction and had to stay in the hospital for 3 days, and during this time, I had 4 more episodes. I was excited about Xolair because I read so many positive reviews, and my doctors also told me that it was going to help me a lot. But it didn't work for me."

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

"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."

• pba...
• November 19, 2019

"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."

• lmo...
• November 23, 2009

"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!"

• Har...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 25, 2017

"I have had asthma all my life. As I got older, it has worsened. I was continuously on steroids. I'm 1 1/2 years post-op of my Bronchial Thermoplasty (BT) procedures. I receive Xolair once a month. To be honest, it was the best decision I've made. My asthma has remarkably improved, and I'm living a life I thought I'd never have. I went dancing, and I actually stayed up on the dance floor waiting for the next song. I'm able to go motorcycling and not worry how long I can stay out if I'm going to get winded, where I'm in need of a nebulizer treatment. I'm fully aware I still have asthma, where I go my rescue inhalers and my EpiPen go with me. I'm now enjoying my life, thanks to BT and Xolair."

• Hon...
• June 12, 2018

"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."

• Kry...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 22, 2020

"I started Xolair to treat CIU (chronic idiopathic urticaria) and have always had asthma. It took about 2 injections before I started to see a difference. Now I’m basically hive-free for 3 weeks out of the month. It starts to come back when I’m due for my next shot, then goes away after a few days. My breathing is so much better. My side effects were pretty severe anxiety, but hydroxizine helped with that, some leg cramps, and joint pain, but I am so thankful and happy I can live a normal life now! Thank you, Xolair!"

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

"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."

• Mr ...
• May 19, 2020

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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!"

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

"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."

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

"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."

• Arl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2019

"I was at a point where I had to use Prednisone for approximately 20 days out of every month. I had now developed asthma on top of the COPD. My lung doctor decided on the Xolair for the immunotherapy. I had 1 injection - for 3 months total. It worked miracles for my breathing!! My side effects were headaches and fatigue for the 1st week after the shot. After the 2nd month, I developed bone and joint aches and pain in my legs and plantar fasciitis! My toes and fingers feel swollen (but they're not) when I bend them. I would feel like I'm 100 years old. I was so stiff. I've been taking Motrin on a daily basis for the past 2 months for the pain and stiffness. Some of the aches, pains, and stiffness have decreased - because of the prednisone I'm taking. After I'm off this round of prednisone, we're giving the side effects a few more weeks before contacting the pharmaceutical company for some answers. I hope the side effects aren't permanent."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2017

"I have been on Xolair for two months. Wow, what a difference this has made. I would cough all day and used my inhalers more than directed. Now I don't cough much and don't wheeze. I use inhalers once a day now. Two weeks after the first shot, I could tell a difference. This is a great drug. I do feel some tiredness with it, but it is tolerable."