UNDERSTANDING ALLERGIC ASTHMA & IgE

If asthma is still affecting your daily life, you should know more about IgE (Immunoglobulin E). IgE is the key to understanding allergic asthma. This antibody is produced by the immune system to protect against foreign substances and plays an early role in the asthma inflammatory cascade that causes allergic asthma.

If you have allergic asthma, inhaling an allergic trigger such as mold or dust mites sets off a complex process:

Your body may respond by producing IgE, which combines with the allergen.
This causes the allergic-inflammatory process, a series of chemical reactions that cause swelling and inflammation of your airways.
As a result, you may experience asthma attacks and symptoms.

If you have allergic asthma, reducing your IgE level may help prevent attacks and symptoms before they start. To determine if IgE is a contributing factor for you, see your asthma specialist for an IgE blood or skin test.

Who is XOLAIR For?

XOLAIR (Omalizumab) For Subcutaneous Use is a prescription medicine given by injection for people who are 12 years of age and above who have moderate to severe persistent asthma that is triggered by year-round allergens in the air. A simple skin or blood test will confirm that a patient has this kind of asthma. This is known as allergic asthma. XOLAIR helps reduce the number of asthma attacks in people with allergic asthma who still have asthma symptoms even though they are taking inhaled steroids. XOLAIR has not been proven to work in other allergic conditions.

Important Safety Information

XOLAIR (Omalizumab) For Subcutaneous Use should always be injected in a doctor's office. You should read the Medication Guide before starting XOLAIR treatment and before each and every treatment.

A severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis has happened in some patients after they received XOLAIR. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition. Seek emergency medical treatment right away if symptoms occur. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

- wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness, or trouble breathing

- low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, rapid or weak heartbeat, anxiety, or feeling of "impending doom"

- flushing, itching, hives, or feeling warm

- swelling of the throat or tongue, throat tightness, hoarse voice, or trouble swallowing

You should not receive XOLAIR if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a XOLAIR injection. Do not use XOLAIR if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

In clinical studies, 0.5% of patients receiving XOLAIR developed cancer, compared to 0.2% of patients receiving placebo injections.

In clinical studies, the most common side effects in patients receiving XOLAIR included injection-site reactions (45%), viral infections (23%), upper respiratory tract infection (20%), sinus infection (16%), headache (15%), and sore throat (11%).

Do not change or stop taking any of your other asthma medicines unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so. You may not see an immediate improvement in your asthma when beginning XOLAIR therapy.

Talk to your doctor for more information and if you have any questions about your treatment.

Please see full Prescribing Information and the Medication Guide for additional important information.

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Asthma On Track is supported by Genentech, Inc. & Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

For more information please visit xolair.com