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XOLAIR®

 

Omalizumab 

For Subcutaneous Use 

 

DESCRIPTION 

Xolair (Omalizumab)

 

is a recombinant DNA-derived humanized IgG1

κ

 monoclonal 

antibody that selectively binds to human immunoglobulin E (IgE).  The antibody has a 

molecular weight of approximately 149 kilodaltons.  Xolair is produced by a Chinese 

hamster ovary cell suspension culture in a nutrient medium containing the antibiotic 

gentamicin.  Gentamicin is not detectable in the final product.   

Xolair

 

is a sterile, white, preservative-free, lyophilized powder contained in a single-use 

vial that is reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection (SWFI), USP, and administered 

as a subcutaneous (SC) injection.  A Xolair vial contains 202.5 mg of Omalizumab, 

145.5 mg sucrose, 2.8 mg L-histidine hydrochloride mono hydrate, 1.8 mg L-histidine and 

0.5 mg polysorbate 20 and is designed to deliver 150 mg of Omalizumab, in 1.2 mL after 

reconstitution with 1.4 mL SWFI, USP. 

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 

Mechanism of Action 

 Xolair inhibits the binding of IgE to the high-affinity IgE receptor (Fc

ε

RI) on the surface 

of mast cells and basophils.  Reduction in surface bound IgE on Fc

ε

RI-bearing cells 

limits the degree of release of mediators of the allergic response.  Treatment with Xolair 

also reduces the number of Fc

ε

RI receptors on basophils in atopic patients.    

Pharmacokinetics 

After SC administration, Omalizumab is absorbed with an average absolute 

bioavailability of 62%.  Following a single SC dose in adult and adolescent patients with 

asthma, Omalizumab was absorbed slowly, reaching peak serum concentrations after an 

average of 7-8 days.  The pharmacokinetics of Omalizumab are linear at doses greater 

than 0.5 mg/kg.  Following multiple doses of Omalizumab, areas under the serum 

concentration-time curve from Day 0 to Day 14 at steady state were up to 6-fold of those 

after the first dose.  

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In vitro

, Omalizumab forms complexes of limited size with IgE.  Precipitating complexes 

and complexes larger than 1 million daltons in molecular weight are not observed 

in vitro

 

or 

in vivo

.  Tissue distribution studies in cynomolgus monkeys showed no specific uptake 

of 

125

I-Omalizumab by any organ or tissue.  The apparent volume of distribution in 

patients following SC administration was 78 

±

 32 mL/kg. 

Clearance of Omalizumab involves IgG clearance processes as well as clearance via 

specific binding and complex formation with its target ligand, IgE.  Liver elimination of 

IgG includes degradation in the liver reticuloendothelial system (RES) and endothelial 

cells.  Intact IgG is also excreted in bile.  In studies with mice and monkeys, 

Omalizumab:IgE complexes were eliminated by interactions with Fc

γ

 receptors within 

the RES at rates that were generally faster than IgG clearance.  In asthma patients 

Omalizumab serum elimination half- life averaged 26 days, with apparent clearance 

averaging 2.4 

±

 1.1 mL/kg/day.  In addition, doubling body weight approximately 

doubled apparent clearance. 

Pharmacodynamics 

In clinical studies, serum free IgE levels were reduced in a dose dependent manner within 

1 hour following the first dose and maintained between doses.  Mean serum free IgE 

decrease was greater than 96% using recommended doses.  Serum total IgE levels 

(i.e., bound and unbound) increased after the first dose due to the formation of 

Omalizumab:IgE complexe s which have a slower elimination rate compared with free 

IgE.  At 16 weeks after the first dose, average serum total IgE levels were five- fold 

higher compared with pre-treatment when using standard assays.  After discontinuation 

of Xolair dosing, the Xolair induced increase in total IgE and decrease in free IgE were 

reversible, with no observed rebound in IgE levels after drug washout.  Total IgE levels 

did not return to pre-treatment levels for up to one year after discontinuation of Xolair. 

Special Populations  

The population pharmacokinetics of Xolair were analyzed to evaluate the effects of 

demographic characteristics.  Analyses of these limited data suggest that no dose 

adjustments are necessary for age (12-76 years), race, ethnicity or gender. 

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CLINICAL STUDIES 

The safety and efficacy of Xolair were evaluated in three randomized, double-blind, 

placebo controlled, multicenter trials. 

The trials enrolled patients 12 to 76 years old, with moderate to severe persistent (NHLBI 

criteria)

 

asthma for at least one year and a positive skin test reaction to a perennial 

aeroallergen.  At screening, patients in Studies 1 and 2 had a forced expiratory volume in 

one second (FEV1) between 40% and 80% predicted, while in Study 3 there was no 

restriction on screening FEV1.  All patients had a FEV1 improvement of at least 12% 

following beta-agonist administration.  All patients were symptomatic and were being 

treated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and short acting beta-agonists.  In Study 3, 

long-acting beta-agonists were allowed.  Study 3 patients were receiving at least 1000 

µ

g/day fluticasone propionate and a subset was also receiving oral corticosteroids.  

Patients receiving other concomitant controller medications were excluded, and initiation 

of additional controller medications while on study was prohibited.  Patients currently 

smoking were excluded.    

Each study was comprised of a run- in period to achieve a stable conversion to a common 

ICS (beclomethasone dipropionate, for Studies 1 and 2; fluticasone propionate for Study 

3), followed by randomization to Xolair or placebo.  In Study 3, patients were stratified 

by use of ICS-only or ICS with concomitant use of oral steroids.  Patients received Xolair 

for 16 weeks with an unchanged corticosteroid dose unless an acute exacerbation 

necessitated an increase.  Patients then entered an ICS reduction phase of 12 weeks 

(Studies 1 and 2) or 16 weeks (Study 3) during which ICS (or oral steroid in Study 3 

subset) dose reduction was attempted in a step-wise manner.   

Xolair dosing was based on body weight and baseline serum total IgE concentration.  All 

patients were required to have a baseline IgE between 30 and 700 IU/mL and body 

weight not more than 150 kg.  Patients were treated according to a dosing table to 

administer at least 0.016 mg/kg/IU [IgE/mL] of Xolair or a matching volume of placebo 

over each 4 week period.  The maximum Xolair dose per 4 weeks was 750 mg; patients 

who had a weight-IgE combination that yielded a dose greater than 750 mg were 

excluded from the studies.  Patients who were to receive more than 300 mg within the 4 

week period were administered half the total dose every 2 weeks.   

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The distribution of the number of asthma exacerbations per patient in each group during a 

study was analyzed separately for the stable steroid and steroid-reduction periods.  In all 

three studies an exacerbation was defined as a worsening of asthma that required 

treatment with systemic corticosteroids or a doubling of the baseline ICS dose.   

In both Studies 1 and 2 the number of exacerbations per patient was reduced in patients 

treated with Xolair compared with placebo (Table 1).  In Study 3 the number of 

exacerbations in patients treated with Xolair was similar to that in placebo-treated 

patients (Table 2).  The absence of an observed treatment effect in Study 3 may be related 

to differences in the patient population compared with Studies 1 and 2, study sample size, 

or other factors.  In all three studies most exacerbations were managed in the out-patient 

setting and the majority were treated with systemic steroids.  Hospitalization rates were 

not significantly different between Xolair and placebo-treated patients, however the 

overall hospitalization rate was small.  Among those patients who experienced an 

exacerbation, the distribution of exacerbation severity was similar between treatment 

groups. 

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Table 1 

Frequency of Asthma Exacerbations per Patient by Phase in Studies 1 and 2 

 

Stable Steroid Phase (16 wks) 

 

Study 1 

Study 2 

Exacerbations per 

patient 

Xolair 

 N=268 

(%) 

Placebo 

N=257 

(%) 

Xolair 

N=274 

(%) 

Placebo 

N=272 

(%) 

85.8 

76.7 

87.6 

69.9 

11.9 

16.7 

11.3 

25.0 

≥

2.2 

6.6 

1.1 

5.1 

P-value 

0.005 

< 0.001 

Mean number 

exacerbations/patient 

0.2 

0.3 

0.1 

0.4 

 

Steroid Reduction Phase (12 wks) 

Exacerbations per 

patient 

Xolair 

 N=268 

(%) 

Placebo 

N=257 

(%) 

Xolair 

N=274 

(%) 

Placebo 

N=272 

(%) 

78.7 

67.7 

83.9 

70.2 

19.0 

28.4 

14.2 

26.1 

≥

2.2 

3.9 

1.8 

3.7 

P-value 

0.004 

< 0.001 

Mean number 

exacerbations/patient 

0.2 

0.4 

0.2 

0.3 

 

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Table 2 

Percentage of Patients with Asthma Exacerbations by Subgroup and Phase in Study 3 

 

Stable Steroid Phase (16 wks) 

 

Inhaled Only 

Oral+Inhaled 

 

Xolair 

 N=126 

Placebo 

N=120 

Xolair 

N=50 

Placebo 

N=45 

% Pts with 

≥

exacerbations 

15.9 

15.0 

32.0 

22.2 

Difference 

 (95% CI) 

0.9 

(-9.7, 13.7) 

9.8 

 (-10.5, 31.4) 

 

Steroid Reduction Phase (12 wks) 

 

Xolair 

 N=126 

Placebo 

N=120 

Xolair 

N=50 

Placebo 

N=45 

% Pts with 

≥

exacerbations 

22.2 

26.7 

42.0 

42.2 

Difference 

 (95% CI) 

-4.4 

(-17.6, 7.4) 

-0.2 

(-22.4, 20.1) 

 

In all three of the studies, a reduction of asthma exacerbations was not observed in the 

Xolair-treated patients who had FEV1 > 80% at the time of randomization.  Reductions 

in exacerbations were not seen in patients who required oral steroids as maintenance 

therapy. 

In Studies 1 and 2 measures of airflow (FEV1) and asthma symptoms were evaluated 

(Table 3).  The clinical relevance of the treatment-associated differences is unknown. 

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Table 3. 

Asthma Symptoms and Pulmonary Function  

During Stable Steroid Phase of Study 1 

 

Xolair 

N=268

1

 

Placebo 

N=257

1

 

 

Endpoint 

 

Mean 

Baseline  

 

Median 
Change 

(Baseline to 

Wk 16) 

 

Mean 

Baseline  

 

Median 
Change 

(Baseline to 

Wk 16) 

Total asthma symptom 

score

 

4.3 

-1.5* 

4.2 

-1.1* 

  Nocturnal asthma score 

1.2 

-0.4* 

1.1 

-0.2* 

  Daytime asthma score 

2.3 

-0.9* 

2.3 

-0.6* 

FEV1 % predicted 

68 

3* 

68 

0* 

Asthma symptom scale: total score from 0 (least) to 9 (most); nocturnal and daytime scores from 0 (least) 

to 4 (most symptoms). 

* Comparison of Xolair versus placebo (p < 0.05). 

1

 Number of patients available for analysis ranges 255-258 in the Xolair group and 238-239 in the 

placebo group  

 

Results from the stable steroid phase of Study 2 and the steroid reduction phases of both 

Studies 1 and 2 were similar to those presented in Table 3. 

INDICATIONS AND USAGE 

Xolair is indicated for adults and adolescents (12 years of age and above) with moderate 

to severe persistent asthma who have a positive skin test or 

in vitro

 reactivity to a 

perennial aeroallergen and whose symptoms are inadequately controlled with inhaled 

corticosteroids.  Xolair has been shown to decrease the incidence of asthma exacerbations 

in these patients.  Safety and efficacy have not been established in other allergic 

conditions.  

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CONTRAINDICATIONS 

Xolair should not be administered to patients who have experienced a severe 

hypersensitivity reaction to Xolair (see WARNINGS: Anaphylaxis). 

WARNINGS 

Malignancy 

Malignant neoplasms were observed in 20 of 4127 (0.5%) Xolair-treated patients 

compared with 5 of 2236 (0.2%) control patients in clinical studies of asthma and other 

allergic disorders.  The observed malignancies in Xolair-treated patients were a variety of 

types, with breast, non- melanoma skin, prostate, melanoma, and parotid occurring more 

than once, and five other types occurring once each.  The majority of patients were 

observed for less than 1 year.  The impact of longer exposure to Xolair or use in patients 

at higher risk for malignancy (e.g., elderly, current smokers) is not known (see 

ADVERSE REACTIONS: Malignancy)  

Anaphylaxis 

Anaphylaxis has occurred within 2 hours of the first or subsequent administration of 

Xolair in 3 (<0.1%) patients without other identifiable allergic triggers.  These events 

included urticaria and throat and/or tongue edema (See ADVERSE REACTIONS).  

Patients should be observed after injection of Xolair, and medications for the treatment of 

severe hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis should be available.  If a severe 

hypersensitivity reaction to Xolair occurs, therapy should be discontinued (see 

CONTRAINDICATIONS). 

PRECAUTIONS 

General 

Xolair has not been shown to alleviate asthma exacerbations acutely and should not be 

used for the treatment of acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus.    

Corticosteroid Reduction 

Systemic or inhaled corticosteroids should not be abruptly discontinued upon initiation of 

Xolair therapy.  Decreases in corticosteroids should be performed under the direct 

supervision of a physician and may need to be performed gradually.   

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Information for Patients

 

Patients receiving Xolair should be told not to decrease the dose of, or stop taking any 

other asthma medications unless otherwise instructed by their physician.  Patients should 

be told that they may not see immediate improvement in their asthma after beginning 

Xolair therapy.   

Laboratory Tests 

Serum total IgE leve ls increase following administration of Xolair due to formation of 

Xolair:IgE complexes (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, DOSAGE AND 

ADMINISTRATION).  Elevated serum total IgE levels may persist for up to 1 year 

following discontinuation of Xolair.  Serum total  IgE levels obtained less than 1 year 

following discontinuation may not reflect steady state free IgE levels and should not be 

used to reassess the dosing regimen.    

Drug Interactions  

No formal drug interaction studies have been performed with Xolair.  The concomitant 

use of Xolair and allergen immunotherapy has not been evaluated

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility 

No long-term studies have been performed in animals to evaluate the carcinogenic 

potential of Xolair. 

No evidence of mutagenic activity was observed in Ames tests using six different strains 

of bacteria with and without metabolic activation at Omalizumab concentrations up to 

5000 

µ

g/mL. 

The effects of Omalizumab on male and female fertility have been assessed in 

cynomolgus monkey studies.  Administration of Omalizumab at doses up to and 

including 75 mg/kg/week did not elicit reproductive toxicity in male cynomolgus 

monkeys and did not inhibit reproductive capability, including implantation, in female 

cynomolgus monkeys.  These doses provide a 2- to 16-fold safety factor based on total 

dose and 2- to 5- fold safety factor based on AUC over the range of adult clinical doses. 

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Pregnancy (Category B)  

Reproduction studies in cynomolgus monkeys have been conducted with Omalizumab.  

Subcutaneous doses up to 75 mg/kg (12- fold the maximum clinical dose) of Omalizumab 

did not elicit maternal toxicity, embryotoxicity, or teratogenicity when administered 

throughout organogenesis and did not elicit adverse effects on fetal or neonatal growth 

whe n administered throughout late gestation, delivery, and nursing.    

IgG molecules are known to cross the placental barrier.  There are no adequate and well-

controlled studies of Xolair in pregnant women.  Because animal reproduction studies are 

not always predictive of human response, Xolair should be used during pregnancy only if 

clearly needed.   

Nursing Mothers  

The excretion of Omalizumab in milk was evaluated in female cynomolgus monkeys 

receiving SC doses of 75 mg/kg/week.  Neonatal plasma levels of Omalizumab after 

in 

utero

 exposure and 28 days of nursing were between 11% and 94% of the maternal 

plasma level.  Milk levels of Omalizumab were 1.5% of maternal blood concentration.  

While Xolair presence in human milk has not been studied, IgG is excreted in human 

milk and therefore it is expected that Xolair will be present in human milk.  The potential 

for Xolair absorption or harm to the infant are unknown; caution should be exercised 

when administering Xolair to a nursing woman.  

Pediatric Use 

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 12 have not been 

established.   

Geriatric Use 

In clinical trials 134 patients 65 years of age or older were treated with Xolair.  Although 

there were no apparent age-related differences observed in these studies, the number of 

patients aged 65 and over is not sufficient to determine whether they respond differently 

from younger patients.  

ADVERSE REACTIONS 

The most serious adverse reactions occurring in clinical studies with Xolair are 

malignancies and anaphylaxis (see WARNINGS).  The observed incidence of 

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malignancy among Xolair-treated patients (0.5%) was numerically higher than among 

patients in control groups (0.2%).  Anaphylactic reactions were rare but temporally 

associated with Xolair administration.     

The adverse reactions most commonly observed among patients treated with Xolair 

included injection site reaction (45%), viral infections (23%), upper respiratory tract 

infection (20%), sinusitis (16%), headache (15%), and pharyngitis (11%).  These events 

were observed at similar rates in Xolair-treated patients and control patients.  These were 

also the most frequently reported adverse reactions resulting in clinical intervention (e.g., 

discontinuation of Xolair, or the need for concomitant medication to treat an adverse 

reaction).  

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction 

rates observed in the clinical trials of one drug cannot be directly compared with rates in 

the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in medical 

practice.   

The data described above reflect Xolair exposure for 2076 adult and adolescent patients 

ages 12 and older, including 1687 patients exposed for six months and 555 exposed for 

one year or more, in either placebo-controlled or other controlled asthma studies.  The 

mean age of patients receiving Xolair was 42 years, with 134 patients 65 years of age or 

older; 60% were women, and 85% Caucasian.  Patients received Xolair 150 to 375 mg 

every 2 or 4 weeks or, for patients assigned to control groups, standard therapy with or 

without a placebo.   

Table 4 shows adverse events that occurred 

≥

 1% more frequently in patients receiving 

Xolair than in those receiving placebo in the placebo controlled asthma studies.  Adverse 

events were classified using preferred terms from the International Medical 

Nomenclature (IMN) dictionary.  Injection site reactions were recorded separately from 

the reporting of other adverse events and are described following Table 4.   

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Table 4 

Adverse Events  

≥

 1% More  Frequent in 

Xolair-Treated Patients   

Adverse event 

Xolair 

n = 738 

(%) 

Placebo 

n = 717 

(%) 

Body as a whole 

 

 

Pain 

Fatigue 

Musculoskeletal system 

 

 

Arthralgia 

Fracture 

Leg pain 

Arm pain 

Nervous system 

 

 

Dizziness 

Skin and appendages  

 

 

Pruritus 

Dermatitis  

Special senses  

 

 

Ear ache 

 

Age (among patients under age 65), race, and gender did not appear to affect the between 

group differences in the rates of adverse events. 

Injection Site Reactions  

Injection site reactions of any severity occurred at a rate of 45% in Xolair-treated patients 

compared with 43% in placebo-treated patients.  The types of injection site reactions 

included: bruising, redness, warmth, burning, stinging, itching, hive formation, pain, 

indurations, mass, and inflammation. 

Severe injection-site reactions occurred more frequently in Xolair-treated patients 

compared with patients in the placebo group (12% versus 9%).      

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The majority of injection site reactions occurred within 1 hour-post injection, lasted less 

than 8 days, and generally decreased in frequency at subsequent dosing visits. 

Immunogenicity

 

Low titers of antibodies to Xolair were detected in approximately 1 /1723 (<0.1%) of 

patients treated with Xo lair.  The data reflect the percentage of patients whose test results 

were considered positive for antibodies to Xolair in an ELISA assay and are highly 

dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay.  Additionally, the observed 

incidence of ant ibody positivity in the assay may be influenced by several factors 

including sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and 

underlying disease.  Therefore, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to Xolair with 

the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading.  

Allergic symptoms, including urticaria,

 

dermatitis and pruritus

 

were observed in patients 

treated with Xolair.  There were also 3 cases of anaphylaxis observed within 2 hours of 

Xolair administration in which there were no other identifiable allergic triggers (see 

WARNINGS: Anaphylaxis). 

OVERDOSAGE 

The maximum tolerated dose of Xolair has not been determined.  Single intravenous 

doses of

 

up to 4000 mg have been administered to patients without evidence of 

dose-limiting toxicities.  The highest cumulative dose administered to patients was 

44,000 mg over a 20-week period, which was not associated with toxicities.   

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION 

Xolair 150 to 375 mg is administered SC every 2 or 4 weeks.  Because the solution is 

slightly viscous, the injection may take 5-10 seconds to administer.  Doses (mg) and 

dosing frequency are determined by serum total IgE level (IU/mL), measured before the 

start of treatment, and body weight (kg).  See the dose determination charts below 

(Table 5 and Table 6) for appropriate dose assignment.  Doses of more than 150 mg are 

divided among more than one injection site to limit injections to not more than 150 mg 

per site.    

 

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Table 5

 

ADMINISTRATION EVERY 4 WEEKS 

Xolair Doses (milligrams) Administered by Subcutaneous 

Injection Every 4 Weeks for Adults and Adolescents (12 Years of 

Age and Older) with Asthma 

Body Weight (kg) 

Pre-

treatment 

Serum IgE 

(IU/mL) 

30-60 

> 60-70 

> 70-90 

> 90-150 

≥

 30-100 

150 

150 

150 

300 

> 100-200 

300 

300 

300 

 

> 200-300 

300 

 

 

 

> 300-400 

 

 

 

 

> 400-500 

 

 

 

 

> 500-600 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 6

 

ADMINISTRATION EVERY 2 WEEKS 

Xolair Doses (milligrams) Administered by Subcutaneous 

Injection Every 2 Weeks for Adults and Adolescents (12 

Years of Age and Older) with Asthma 

Body Weight (kg) 

Pre-

treatment 

Serum IgE 

(IU/mL) 

30-60 

> 60-70 

> 70-90 

> 90-150 

≥

 30-100 

 

 

 

 

> 100-200 

 

 

 

225 

> 200-300 

 

225 

225 

300 

> 300-400 

225 

225 

300 

 

> 400-500 

300 

300 

375 

 

> 500-600 

300 

375 

 

 

> 600-700 

375 

 

 

 

 

 

 SEE TABLE 6 

DO NOT DOSE 

 

SEE TABLE 5 

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Dosing Adjustments 

Total IgE levels are elevated during treatment and remain elevated for up to one year 

after the discontinuation of treatment.  Therefore, re-testing of IgE levels during Xolair 

treatment cannot be used as a guide for dose determination.  Dose determination after 

treatment interruptions lasting less than 1 year should be based on serum IgE levels 

obtained at the initial dose determination.  Total serum IgE levels may be re-tested for 

dose determination if treatment with Xolair has been interrupted for one year or more.  

Doses should be adjusted for significant changes in body weight.  (See Table 

5

 and 

Table 

6

). 

Preparation for Administration 

Xolair for SC administration should be prepared using SWFI, USP ONLY. 

Xolair is for single use only and contains no preservatives.  The solution should be used 

for SC administration within 8 hours following reconstitution when stored in the vial at 

2

−

8

°

C (36-46

°

F), or within 4 hours of reconstitution when stored at room temperature. 

The lyophilized product takes 15-20 minutes to dissolve.  The fully reconstituted product 

will appear clear or slightly opalescent and may have a few small bubbles or foam around 

the edge of the vial.  The reconstituted product is somewhat viscous; in order to obtain 

the full 1.2 mL dose ALL OF THE PRODUCT MUST BE WITHDRAWN from the vial 

before expelling any air or excess solution from the syringe. 

STEP 1:  

Draw 1.4 mL of SWFI, USP

 

into a 3-cc syringe equipped with a 1- inch, 

18-gauge needle. 

STEP 2:  

Place the vial upright on a flat surface and using standard aseptic technique, 

insert the needle and inject the SWFI, USP directly onto the product.  

STEP 3:  

Keeping the vial upright, gently swirl the upright vial for approximately 

1 minute to evenly wet the powder.  Do not shake.  

STEP 4:  

After completing STEP 3, gently swirl the vial for 5-10 seconds approximately 

every 5 minutes in order to dissolve any remaining solids.  There should be no visible 
gel- like particles in the solution.  Do not use if foreign particles are present. 

Note:  Some vials may take longer than 20 minutes to dissolve completely.  If this is 
the case, repeat STEP 4 until there are no visible gel- like particles in the solution.  It 

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is acceptable to have small bubbles or foam around the edge of the vial.  Do not use 
if the contents of the vial do not dissolve completely by 40 minutes. 

STEP 5:  

Invert the vial for 15 seconds in order to allow the solution to drain toward the 

stopper.  Using a new 3-cc syringe equipped with a 1- inch, 18-gauge needle, insert the 
needle into the inverted vial.  Position the needle tip at the very bottom of the solution in 
the vial stopper when drawing the solution into the syringe.  Before removing the needle 
from the vial, pull the plunger all the way back to the end of the syringe barrel in order to 
remove all of the solution from the inverted vial.   

STEP 6:  

Replace the 18- gauge needle with a 25- gauge needle for subcutaneous 

injection.   

STEP 7:  

Expel air, large bubbles, and any excess solution in order to obtain the required 

1.2 mL dose.  A thin layer of small bubbles may remain at the top of the solution in the 
syringe.  Because the solution is slightly viscous, the injection may take 5-10 seconds to 
administer. 

A vial delivers 1.2 mL (150 mg) of Xolair.  For a 75 mg dose, draw up 0.6 mL into the 
syringe and discard the remaining product (see Table 7). 

Table 7

  

Number of Injections and Total Injection Volumes  

for Allergic Asthma 

Dose (mg) 

Number of Injections 

Total Volume Injected 

(mL)

a

 

150 

1.2 

225 

1.8 

300 

2.4 

375 

3.0 

 

a

 1.2 mL maximum delivered volume per vial. 

 

Stability and Storage 

Xolair

 

should be shipped at controlled ambient temperature (

≤

 30

°

C [

≤

 86

°

F]).  Xolair 

should be stored under refrigerated conditions 2-8

°

C (36-46

°

F).  Do not use beyond the 

expiration date stamped on carton.   

Xolair is for single- use only and contains no preservatives.  The solution may be used for 

SC administration within 8 hours following reconstitution when stored in the vial at 

2

−

8

°

C (36-46

°

F), or within 4 hours of reconstitution when stored at room temperature. 

background image

 

 

 

 

Reconstituted Xolair vials should be protected from direct sunlight. 

HOW SUPPLIED 

Xolair

 

is supplied as a lyophilized, sterile powder in a single- use, 5-cc vial that is 

designed to deliver 150 mg of Xolair upon reconstitution with 1.4 mL SWFI, USP. 

Each carton contains one single-use vial of Xolair

®

 (Omalizumab) NDC 50242-040-62. 

 

XOLAIR®  

Omalizumab 

 For

 

Subcutaneous Use 

 

Manufactured by: 

Genentech, Inc. 

1 DNA Way 

South San Francisco, CA  94080-4990 

 

Jointly marketed by: 

Genentech, Inc. 

1 DNA Way 
South San Francisco, CA  94080-4990 

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

 

One Health Plaza 
East Hanover, NJ  07936-1080 

 

4821000 

Issued:  Date

 

?

2003 Genentech, Inc.