Xolair (omalizumab) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for asthma and certain other conditions. Xolair has interactions with a lab test used to check certain antibody levels.

Xolair is prescribed for:

  • treating moderate to severe asthma in certain adults and children ages 6 years and older
  • treating chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in adults
  • helping prevent allergic reactions caused by certain food allergies in adults and children ages 1 year and older
  • chronic spontaneous urticaria (hives) in certain adults and children ages 12 years and older

An interaction occurs when one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected.

Xolair comes as a solution in an injection pen or autoinjector for subcutaneous injection. It’s also available as a powder inside vials, but this form is only used by healthcare providers. These different forms of Xolair have the same interactions.

To learn more about Xolair’s interactions, keep reading. For additional information about Xolair, including details about its uses, see this article.

There currently aren’t reports of Xolair interacting with other medications. But this doesn’t mean interactions won’t be discovered at a later time.

Before you start treatment with Xolair, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions that may be discovered later. (To learn whether Xolair interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Xolair and other interactions” section below.)

In some cases, factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing Xolair due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. The contraindications of Xolair include:

Having had an allergic reaction to Xolair or any of its ingredients

If you have had an allergic reaction to Xolair or any of its ingredients*, your doctor will likely not prescribe Xolair. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

Note: Before you start treatment with Xolair, it’s important to tell your doctor if this contraindication applies to you. They can determine whether to prescribe Xolair.

* To view a full list of Xolair’s ingredients, check out the drug’s prescribing information.

There aren’t any known interactions between Xolair and alcohol. However, your doctor may advise you to avoid or limit alcohol consumption during Xolair treatment.

This is because drinking alcohol while taking the drug may worsen some of Xolair’s side effects. For example, you may experience nausea, headache, or dizziness.

Alcohol can also worsen the condition you’re receiving Xolair to treat. For example, if you have asthma, drinking alcohol may trigger or worsen your symptoms.

If you consume alcohol during Xolair treatment, these side effects may be more likely to occur. If you have questions about drinking alcohol during Xolair treatment, talk with your doctor.

Xolair may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. You’ll find details below. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with Xolair.

Xolair interactions with supplements

It’s possible for drugs to interact with supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

Xolair interactions with herbs

There are no specific reports of herbs interacting with Xolair. However, that doesn’t mean herbal interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Xolair treatment.

Xolair interactions with vitamins

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Xolair. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Xolair.

Xolair interactions with food

There were no reports of food interactions with Xolair. If you’d like to learn more about eating certain foods during treatment with Xolair, talk with your doctor.

Xolair interactions with vaccines

There aren’t any known interactions between Xolair and vaccines. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see whether you’re due for any vaccines.

Xolair interactions with lab tests

Xolair may interfere with the results of a blood test used to check the level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in your blood. IgE is a type of antibody your body makes to help recognize and fight off bacteria, viruses, and other germs. Treatment with Xolair is known to elevate the level of IgE in your blood.

As a result, your doctor will not use blood tests that check total IgE levels to determine your Xolair dosing once you start treatment. Xolair can interfere with the results of this test for up to 1 year after you stop treatment. So be sure to tell your doctor or other healthcare professional if you’ve used Xolair previously if they order this lab test for you after your Xolair treatment ends.

For additional information, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

XOLAIR INTERACTION WITH CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Xolair. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis in combination with Xolair. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Xolair treatment plan.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Xolair. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Xolair may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Xolair include:

  • Cancer: If you have cancer, treatment with Xolair could worsen it. Xolair has also been reported to cause new cancer development. Talk with your doctor about your cancer risk before you begin using Xolair.
  • Parasitic infection: Xolair can increase the risk for parasitic infection, especially if you’re already at risk (for example, if you live in or travel to an area where these infections occur). If this applies to you, talk with your doctor about your risk for parasitic infections before you begin using Xolair.
  • Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Xolair or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Xolair. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
  • Latex allergy: The needle cap on Xolair prefilled syringes contains a natural rubber latex. The Xolair autoinjector is not made using latex. The glass vials of Xolair also do not contain latex. Be sure your doctor is aware if you have a latex allergy so they can prescribe the safest form of Xolair for you.
  • Breastfeeding: It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Xolair while breastfeeding. There isn’t enough information to determine whether the drug passes into breast milk or what effects Xolair may have on a child who is breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before using Xolair. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed your child.
  • Pregnancy: There haven’t been enough clinical trials to determine whether Xolair is safe to use while pregnant. Animal studies show that the drug may cause congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects) or pregnancy loss. However, it’s important to note that animal studies don’t always indicate what may happen in humans. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting Xolair. They can advise you on the right treatment plan for you.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Xolair and possible interactions.

Can you take Xolair and prednisone together?

Yes, if your doctor prescribes both medications for you. There’s no reported interaction between Xolair and prednisone.

It’s important to note that both Xolair and prednisone suppress how active your immune system is. Medications that suppress immune system activity can raise the risk of infection. In theory, taking Xolair and prednisone together could further raise your risk for infection. But this hasn’t been shown in studies to date.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about using Xolair and prednisone together, including whether this combination is safe for you.

Is it safe to take Xolair with albuterol?

Yes, it’s safe to take Xolair with albuterol. These medications aren’t reported to interact.

In fact, if you’re taking Xolair for asthma, you should continue taking your rescue inhaler as directed by your doctor. Albuterol is commonly used as a rescue inhaler to treat sudden asthma symptoms, including an asthma attack. On the other hand, Xolair should not be used to treat sudden asthma symptoms. While Xolair works long-term to treat asthma symptoms, the drug doesn’t work quickly enough to treat sudden symptoms (such as bronchospasm).

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have further questions about using Xolair and albuterol together.

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Xolair. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

  • Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
  • Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
  • Create a medication list, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Xolair label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. And the paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.

If Xolair doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with Xolair by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.