Omalizumab

Who is Omalizumab for ?

Omalizumab is used for the treatment of moderate to severe persistent asthma that is triggered by allergies. Omalizumab can be used in adults and children older than 12 years of age. Omalizumab will be used in addition to your other asthma medications.

Omalizumab prevents the binding of certain antibodies in the blood that can cause an asthma attack. Treatment with Omalizumab may not result in immediate improvement in your asthma symptoms, but you may notice gradual improvement.

When should I be careful taking Omalizumab ?

Before taking Omalizumab:

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to Omalizumab or any other medications.
• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have or have been diagnosed with lymphoma or other cancers.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Omalizumab, call your doctor immediately.
• tell your doctor or pharmacist about all other medications you are taking, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and/or nutritional and herbal supplements.
• do not decrease the dose or stop taking your oral or inhaled corticosteroids or any other asthma medications unless otherwise instructed by your health care provider.
• know that Omalizumab should not be used for relief of an acute asthma attack.

Omalizumab Side Effects

Although side effects from Omalizumab are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• Headache
• Mild redness, itching, swelling, or bruising at injection site
• Nausea
• Joint pain

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

• Bleeding (i.e. nose bleed) or unusual bruising
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Skin rash or hives
• Swelling of the throat or tongue