Xolair Injection Therapy

Xolair is a biologic therapy that is indicated to treat:

• patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma, are 6 years of age or older, have had a positive skin test or in vitro reactivity to a perennial aeroallergen and whose symptoms are inadequately controlled with inhaled corticosteroids
• patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria, is 12 years of age or older and remains symptomatic despite H1 antihistamine treatment
• patients 1 year of age or older with an IgE-mediated food allergy for the reduction of allergic reactions (Type I), including anaphylaxis, that may occur with accidental exposure to one or more foods

What Is Xolair? 

Xolair (omalizumab) injections help treat asthma and chronic hives, also known as chronic idiopathic urticaria, or CIU. Patients being prescribed Xolair often have tried other forms of treatment – such as inhalers or corticosteroids – with little to no success. Xolair is indicated for patients as young as one year of age. 

How Xolair Works  

Xolair works by inhibiting the binding of immunoglobulin E to its respective receptor on mast cells and basophils. This then reduces symptoms of certain conditions. 

What Is Xolair Used For?  

Doctors order omalizumab to treat several medical conditions. 

Xolair treats: 

• patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma, are 6 years of age or older, have had a positive skin test or in vitro reactivity to a perennial aeroallergen and whose symptoms are inadequately controlled with inhaled corticosteroids 
• patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria,12 years of age or older who remain symptomatic despite H1 antihistamine treatment 
• patients 1 year of age or older with an IgE-mediated food allergy for the reduction of allergic reactions (Type I), including anaphylaxis, that may occur with accidental exposure to one or more foods

Xolair Injection Dosage and Administration  

Patients receive omalizumab via subcutaneous injection. 

Dosage and Frequency  

 Before receiving their first intravenous infusion of omalizumab, the ordering physician determines the patient’s dose. This dose depends on the severity of the condition for which he or she is receiving treatment. 

Xolair is administered roughly once every two to four weeks. 

Xolair Injection Side Effects  

As with all medications, side effects are possible.  

The most common side effects of Xolair include: 

• Joint pain 
• Dizziness 
• Feeling tired 
• Itching  
• Skin rash  
• Bone fractures 
• Pain or discomfort in the ears or ear infection 
• Swelling inside the nose, throat, or sinuses 
• Headache 
• Fever  
• Throat infection 
• Abdominal pain or stomach infection 
• Nose bleeds 
• Injection site reactions 
• Upper respiratory tract infection 

Serious side effects include: 

• Cancer  
• Inflammation of the blood vessels 
• Fever, muscle aches, and rash 
• Parasitic infection 
• Heart and circulation problems

How To Prepare for a Xolair Injection  

It is essential that patients inform their physician if they currently have, or have had, any of the conditions listed below: 

• A latex allergy or any other allergies 
• Sudden breathing problems (bronchospasm) 
• A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) 
• A parasitic infection 
• Cancer  

Before treatment, patients should get a good night’s sleep. In addition, they need to drink an adequate amount of fluid and eat a meal before their Xolair injection treatment at IVX Health. 

How to Get a Referral for Xolair Injections 

Every Xolair referral must be accompanied by a physician’s order for treatment. 

• Patient information should include: 
• Name 
• Current address 
• Home and mobile phone number 
• Insurance information 

Information the physician must include on the patient’s order for Xolair injection therapy: 

• Patient’s name and DOB 
• Order date 
• Diagnosis 
• Physician’s name and NPI# 
• Office address, phone, and fax numbers 
• Provider’s signature 

Supporting clinical documentation from the physician should include: 

• Patient’s current weight and height 
• IgE Lab results 
• FEV1 test results showing demonstrated airflow limitation: FEV1 less than 80% 
• Clinicals to support one or more of the following: 
  • Patient has moderate to severe persistent asthma, is 6 years of age or older, has had a positive skin test or in vitro reactivity to a perennial aeroallergen and whose symptoms are inadequately controlled with inhaled corticosteroids 
  • Patient has chronic idiopathic urticaria, is 12 years of age or older and remains symptomatic despite H1 antihistamine treatment 
  • Nasal polyps in adult patients 18 years of age and older with inadequate response to nasal corticosteroids, as add-on maintenance treatment 
  • Patient has an IgE-mediated food allergy and is 1 year of age or older

If you or someone you care about has one of the conditions that Xolair injections treat, you may want to learn more about subcutaneous injection treatments with omalizumab. To find an IVX Health infusion center near you, please click here. 

Patients chose IVX Health to receive their ongoing Xolair treatments because:

• ALL private suites
• Comfortable recliners, with chairs for guests
• Evening & weekend appointments
• Friendly clinical staff deliver personal service
• Big screen TVs, high-speed WiFi, free snacks