What is omalizumab?
Omalizumab is an antibody that helps decrease allergic responses in the body.
Omalizumab is used to treat moderate to severe asthma that is caused by allergies in adults and children who are at least 12 years old.
Omalizumab is usually given after other asthma medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Omalizumab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about omalizumab?
Some people using omalizumab have had a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction to this medication, either right after the injection or hours later. Allergic reaction may occur even after using the medication regularly for a year or longer.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: wheezing, tightness in your chest, trouble breathing; hives or skin rash; feeling anxious or light-headed, fainting; warmth or tingling under your skin; or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Asthma is often treated with a combination of different drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.
If you also use a steroid medication, do not stop using the steroid suddenly or you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk with your doctor if any of your asthma medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing attacks.
Your symptoms may not improve right away once you start receiving omalizumab. For best results, keep receiving the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a few weeks of treatment.
Use omalizumab regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Using this medication may increase your risk of certain types of cancers of the breast, skin, prostate, or salivary gland. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using omalizumab?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to omalizumab.
To make sure you can safely take omalizumab, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions or if you take other medicines.
Using this medication may increase your risk of certain types of cancers of the breast, skin, prostate, or salivary gland. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk.
While you are using omalizumab, you may also have an increased risk of becoming infected with parasites (worms) if you live in or travel to areas where such infections are common. Talk with your doctor about what to look for and how to treat this condition.
FDA pregnancy category B. Omalizumab is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of omalizumab on the baby.
Omalizumab may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give omalizumab to a child younger than 12 years old.