Xolair and Rash: What Users Say

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

For Urticaria "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 halfway 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!"

• Th3...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2015

For Urticaria "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 Xolair?? 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."

• Mer...
• May 2, 2016

For Urticaria "I'm on Xolair for chronic idiopathic urticaria. This shot has changed my life! I just had my 6th one today, I only get breakthrough hives about once a week, and it's not very bad. My dermatographia and angioedema are completely gone. I've been able to get off most of my antihistamines and prednisone as well."

• pfb...
• October 11, 2016

For Urticaria "I suffered from UCI for close to a year. Nonstop hives with no relief other than steroids. After many allergists, one finally suggested Xolair. It was covered by my insurance (BCBS). I had 3 shots, 1x per month for 3 months. It's been a year with no issues, and I no longer need Xolair. Thank you to the people who created Xolair. It changed my life!!"

• Abe...
• October 30, 2018

For Urticaria "I have had 2 Xolair shots. I took a month break in between to think about how I felt about the experience. After the first shot, I experienced severe sugar cravings and felt starving for about 8 days. My joints hurt as well, but by the second week, things got better. The hives came back about 8 weeks after the first shot, more painful and swollen than before, so I decided to get the 3rd shot. Now, 2 weeks in, I am still starving and craving sugar. I have gained weight, but the hives are gone. Had anyone else experienced the cravings? I did notice it in one review here but would like to know if there are any others. My doctors don’t believe me. Frustrated."

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

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."

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

For Asthma, Maintenance "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."

• nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2017

For Urticaria "I've had hives off and on since 2002. I am 52 years old, and I've been diagnosed with Hashimoto's and lupus. I was tired of hive breakouts and constantly taking Benadryl, so I decided to start taking Xolair. Within a half hour after the shot, my hands got red and itchy. I told the nurse, she seemed unconcerned. I got very tired, went home, and slept half a day! That night, I got three hives on my leg and arm. The next morning, I was achy all over and got dizzy with a headache. I report I also got some chest heaviness. I called the doctor, and he said it was not from Xolair. I can stop Benadryl, but he wants me to continue shots. So far, I can't stop Benadryl because I'm still itchy! I don't know if I should get the next dose because I don't want worse side effects. Want to eat again."

• Tre...
• October 31, 2016

For Urticaria "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!!!"

• Mad...
• November 16, 2017

For Urticaria "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."

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

For Urticaria "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

For Urticaria "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."

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

For Urticaria "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!!"

• Moo...
• November 3, 2016

For Urticaria "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."

• Obi...
• January 12, 2020

For Urticaria "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."

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

For Urticaria "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."

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

For Urticaria "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."

• Vcu...
• November 22, 2017

For Urticaria "I am 52 years old. On Xolair for 3 years. I get 2 injections every 4 weeks. The shot is painful because the medicine is thick, but having the shot injected at the back of my arm has helped. I've had hives since I was 17. I've been on most kinds of allergy medicines. I was on Benadryl before it was OTC. I've had lips and eyes swell to beyond recognition. I've had swollen hands and feet and have woken up in the middle of the night with hives from head to foot. Prednisone was the only thing that helped before Xolair. Insurance companies are a pain, though. I missed my last dose waiting on insurance, who wants to make sure the other meds won't work. With the missed dose and the appearance of hives, I think Xolair works."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2021

For Urticaria "I got my first injection in January. Had great results. Second injection almost 2 weeks ago, and I've had severe hives every day since. It is awful, they are everywhere. Nothing helps in subsiding them."

• MAR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2022

For Urticaria "I received my first injection about a month and a half ago. I just received my second injection this past Monday, and I am still itching! I am not sure how long this medication takes to officially make you stop itching. I am at my boiling point with dealing with these hives on a daily basis. Has anybody else had a similar experience where it takes a couple of months to stop itching all over your body?"

• D M...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 24, 2023

"Xolair has been the only thing that has worked! Before Xolair, I was in the ER every month with hives and swelling on the bottom of my feet, fingertips, eyes, lips, tongue, and throat. I have suffered since I was a teen, never knowing when the swelling would happen. I am now 60 years old and have been on Xolair for about 6-8 years. I still stay away from foods that trigger my angioedema, and I have hives when it’s hot outside or exercise. But thank God nothing life-threatening anymore."

• Sch...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2024

"Was diagnosed with Mast Cell Syndrome after getting diagnosed with MCAS due to non-stop hives, anaphylaxis, etc. Started a month before my appendix burst and at the onset of thyroid issues. I was taking a massive amount of antihistamines, EpiPens, prednisone (which only temporarily helped then it would worsen). First shot...no hives, just had the second shot...still have hives on legs and feet, but no face swelling or chest pain, so I will take it. Fingers crossed it keeps improving, but so far so good."

• Gre...
• May 17, 2022

For Urticaria "Xolair helps with the hives, but has serious side effects. I still need double doses of antihistamine, but I'm able to continue working, so it seems worth it. I still have issues, especially in winter when I am less active. Exercise really helps! Main symptoms are brain fog, random joint and muscle pain (annoying but not terrible), a bad rash on my leg, burning feet in bed at night, burning itchy scalp, face, and neck (not as bad as hives, but sometimes distressing). Also makes me very sleepy on certain days, and not fit to drive-so I've started working at home mostly. In winter, I need one shot every three to four weeks. In spring/summer, not as often. Stay active! The dopamine and testosterone seem to counter the effects of the drug. Don't take this drug unless you seriously need it. It is a medicine of last resort."

• Joy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2021

For Urticaria "My hives and angioedema flare up worse after the injection, and I have to go on steroids."