What is TEPEZZA™?
While the pathophysiology of thyroid eye disease (TED) is not fully understood, extensive research over the past 30 years revealed that signaling through the Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) pathway is important for TED development. Therefore, the IGF pathway has become a target for therapy, TEPEZZA™ is one product that achieves this goal.
A newly FDA-approved drug, teprotumumab (Tepezza®, Horizon Therapeutics), which targets the IGF pathway, has recently been shown to be helpful in the majority of patients with active thyroid eye disease, i.e. patients who experience eye redness, pain with eye movement, worsening proptosis, and/or worsening diplopia. Teprotumumab is given by eight IV infusions over 24 weeks. Early experience with this drug has been very promising, although long-term results are still not fully known. It is very expensive, and requires insurance pre-authorization, but can be a very good option for some patients. Our doctors and PAs are well-versed in prescribing and managing patients on teprotumumab.
On March 30, 2021, Horizon announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the increased scale production of TEPEZZA drug product, which will allow Horizon to produce enough medicine to end the supply disruption that was announced in December 2020.
Before receiving TEPEZZA, tell your doctor if you:
- Have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
- Are currently being treated for diabetes, have been diagnosed with diabetes, or know your blood sugar is high.
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TEPEZZA may harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or suspect you are pregnant during treatment with TEPEZZA.
- Women who are able to become pregnant should use an effective form of birth control (contraception) prior to starting treatment, during treatment and for at least 6 months after the final dose of TEPEZZA.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TEPEZZA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to feed your baby during treatment with TEPEZZA.
- Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over the counter medicines, vitamins, dietary and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
For additional information, please see the company website.