From the Guidelines
Xolair (omalizumab) can cause fever as a side effect, although the provided evidence does not directly quantify the incidence of fever as a specific adverse reaction. The available data primarily focuses on anaphylaxis and anaphylactic reactions associated with Xolair, with a reported rate of 0.09% of patients experiencing anaphylaxis 1. While fever is not explicitly mentioned in the provided studies as a common side effect, it is reasonable to consider it as part of the spectrum of hypersensitivity reactions that can occur with monoclonal antibodies like omalizumab.
Key Considerations
- The mechanism behind potential Xolair-induced fever could involve the immune system's response to the medication, similar to how it causes anaphylaxis in some patients 1.
- Patients experiencing fever after receiving Xolair, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like rash, difficulty breathing, or swelling, should promptly contact their healthcare provider.
- It is crucial for healthcare providers to monitor patients closely, especially after the first few injections, due to the higher likelihood of reactions occurring during this period.
- Management of fever might include antipyretics like acetaminophen, and the decision to continue Xolair treatment should be made on a case-by-case basis, weighing the benefits against the risks of adverse reactions. Given the potential for fever as part of a hypersensitivity reaction, it is essential for patients and healthcare providers to be vigilant for any signs of adverse reactions following Xolair administration.
From the FDA Drug Label
- 6 Fever, Arthralgia, and Rash In post-approval use, some patients have experienced a constellation of signs and symptoms including arthritis/arthralgia, rash, fever, and lymphadenopathy with an onset 1 to 5 days after the first or subsequent injections of XOLAIR.
Xolair can cause fever as part of a constellation of signs and symptoms that have been reported in post-approval use, including arthritis/arthralgia, rash, and lymphadenopathy, typically occurring 1 to 5 days after the first or subsequent injections of XOLAIR 2.
From the Research
Xolair and Fever
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that Xolair (omalizumab) causes fever as a side effect 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, a study on drug-induced fever suggests that some medications can cause fever as a result of a hypersensitivity reaction, which may be a possibility with any drug, including Xolair 7.
- The studies on Xolair focus on its effectiveness in treating allergic asthma and its effects on immunological parameters, but do not mention fever as a common side effect 3, 4, 5, 6.
- It is possible that fever could occur as a rare or idiosyncratic reaction to Xolair, but there is no evidence to support this in the provided studies.