For people living with thyroid eye disease, a proven and effective treatment can make a huge difference in the quality of life. Symptoms of thyroid eye disease include eye protrusion or bulging (proptosis), eye swelling and inflammation, eyelid retraction, red eyes, double vision, misaligned eyes, blurry vision, and dry eyes.
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If you believe that you or a loved one were harmed by Tepezza a treatment for thyroid eye disease (TED), you may be entitled to compensation.
A newer drug, Tepezza, brought hope for many people with the condition, as it was clinically proven to help treat eye protrusion. This symptom of thyroid eye disease is not only physically bothersome, but it can be emotionally concerning as well as it affects the facial appearance.
However, every drug has the potential to cause side effects, and for many people, those side effects were just as bad as if not worse than the symptoms of the disease itself. From hearing loss to high blood sugar, Tepezza comes with a host of side effects. If you’re considering using the drug to treat eye bulging due to thyroid eye disease, it’s important to be well-informed. Here, find answers to frequently asked questions about Tepezza.
What Is Tepezza Used For?
Tepezza is the name of a medication that is used to treat the autoimmune condition thyroid eye disease, which is also known as TED and Graves’ ophthalmopathy. It was approved by the FDA in 2020 as a treatment, with studies showing that it reduces eye protrusion. Though there are other symptoms of TED, Tepezza does not treat those symptoms. If you have symptoms that are present due to eye protrusion, you may find relief in those symptoms as well.
Why Is Tepezza So Expensive?
The price of Tepezza can vary based on your hospital, pharmacy, dose, and insurance. The drug is pricey in part because of its mode of delivery: rather than simply picking up a pill from the pharmacy, you need to visit your healthcare provider eight times to receive Tepezza infusions. This adds to the cost of treatment.
Tepezza is also expensive because it is a newer biologic drug, and there aren’t any generic options available. Anybody who uses this treatment for thyroid eye disease needs to use the brand name Tepezza.
What Is Tepezza?
Tepezza is an insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor inhibitor, and it’s a biologic drug approved to treat thyroid eye disease. It’s an injection given every three weeks for a total of eight injections.
Does Tepezza Cause Weight Gain?
Weight gain is not listed as an official side effect on the Tepezza product packaging. Although it’s not a known side effect, every drug has the potential to react differently for every person. If you experience weight gain while taking Tepezza, consult with your doctor to try to determine the cause.
Some known side effects of Tepezza include infusion reactions, worsening of inflammatory bowel disease, high blood sugar, muscle spasm, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, fatigue, high blood sugar, dry skin, change in taste, and headache. Many people also complain of hearing loss while taking Tepezza.
How Does Tepezza Work?
Tepezza works by targeting thyroid eye disease when it is in an active stage, and this reduces eye bulging. The drug blocks a key component of thyroid eye disease, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R). In someone who has TED, these receptors and surrounding tissues are attacked by the body which can lead to swelling and inflammation. When Tepezza blocks the receptors, swelling is reduced, which in turn reduces eye bulging.
How Much Does Tepezza Cost?
One vial of Tepezza costs between $14,900 and $16,301. The amount of medication you need varies based on your weight and how well you tolerate the medication, but a full course of treatment is eight IV infusions. Your out-of-pocket cost will vary in large part due to your insurance coverage.
What Does Tepezza Treat?
Tepezza treats thyroid eye disease, which is an autoimmune condition that causes swelling around the eye. Its main function is to treat eye bulging, which happens when the body attacks insulin-like growth factor-1 receptors behind the eye and causes swelling. It does not treat other symptoms of TED.
How Is Tepezza Administered?
Tepezza is delivered via an injection. A healthcare provider administers the injection into a vein via an IV infusion. The infusion typically takes about 60 to 90 minutes, and infusions are repeated every three weeks until eight total infusions have been given.
How Long Does Tepezza Stay In Your System?
Tepezza can stay in your system for up to 100 days after you complete your last of eight doses. The average half-life of Tepezza is 20 days; a half-life refers to how long it takes half of the medicine to leave your body. After four to five half-lives (80 to 100 days for Tepezza), Tepezza should be fully out of your system.
Is Tepezza Covered By Insurance?
Tepezza is covered by some insurance plans, however, the amount of coverage varies from one plan to the next. People with commercial insurance policies may be eligible for a $0 copay through the Horizon Commercial Co-Pay Program. Additional support may also be available for government-based insurance programs such as Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Medigap, VA, CHAMPUS, Department of Defense, and TRICARE. To find the most accurate information about insurance coverage, contact your insurance provider.
