Update on sister

[twiddles2]

My sister has just been told she might have to have some injections for her asthma. They have just come out. I wondered if anyone has had them

[Minushabens]

I heard about these a while back but it went out of my head (as many things do these days). I can’t help in terms of knowing anything about them, but it would be brilliant to hear how they go & if they work.

[Wheezebag13]

Hi, whilst in hospital recently a fellow asthma sufferer mentioned omalizumab which is an injection to help severe asthma. This may be the treatment your sister has been recommended. I had never heard of it but I know some on this forum use it.

[zionfrost]

I've investigated that shot (can't remember the name) and the side effects were way scary. I didn't even consider.

[twinkly29]

I tried those. They didn't work for me as my asthma is mainly infection driven but, aside from feeling really tired later that day, the injections were fine. They keep you for a couple of hours after each jab to make sure of no reaction.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

If it's just come out it might be mepolizumab (brand name Nucala) or reslizumab (Cinqaero). Omalizumab (Xolair) has been around for a while.

The list of side effects can be pretty scary but the pharma company has to list everything that may happen even if just a few people on the trial got them once and they went away. (I have spent time at work reading the study reports for drugs - not these ones but for other conditions - and literally everything gets listed then they decide if any chance it could be at all related tl the drug.)

To get approved for use, the drug can't be too toxic! Obviously some people can't tolerate them but they can make a huge difference to others with a big reduction in the need for steroids and hospital admissions. I would be happy to take the risk personally, but while.I qualify on severity, none of these drugs is suitable for me because my asthma isn't driven by the things they target (eosinophils for the newer ones, Xolair is for allergic asthma).

I'm sure the Asthma UK nurses would be very happy to chat with you or your sister about the injections - they're really helpful!