This medication can interrupt activity that could otherwise lead to the bulging of eyes associated withGraves' disease.
Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee
Uses
This drug has been FDA-approved for the treatment of thyroid eye disease.
Before Tepezza, surgery was needed to make a run at make this happen.
Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee
Likewise, those withdiabetesor glucose resistance may find they experiencehyperglycemiawhile taking the medication.
You should alert your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or currently breastfeeding.
Dosage
Tepezza will be administered at a health facility by an experienced professional.
Keep in mind that this does take a little time, especially in the beginning.
The initial two infusions of this medication will each be done over a 90-minute period.
After that, the infusion takes just 60 minutes.
Tepezza is given every three weeks, with a total of eight infusions.
If you are delayed in taking a dose, discuss this with your healthcare provider.
Be aware that some people may experience a reaction to the infusion.
Signs of such a reaction include:
If you experience these symptoms, tell your healthcare provider.
In most cases, corticosteroids and antihistamines can be used to manage such reactions successfully.
You may even be asked to use such medications before subsequent infusions.
Adjustments can be made to make this easier for you to tolerate.
For example, the infusions can be given a little more slowly if this is necessary.
About 10% of patients in the clinical trials experienced hyperglycemia while on Tepezza.
If this causes a flare-up of the bowel disease, it may be necessary to discontinue the medication.
You should immediately contact emergency services.
Anyone who is pregnant should not take this medication since it may cause harm to the fetus.
In those with mild-to-moderate kidney impairment, Tepezza has been found to function the same as in other populations.
However, the effect of liver impairment is currently unknown.
National Library of Medicine.Teprotumumab (Tepezza) for thyroid eye disease.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.New drug treats thyroid eye disease without surgery.
Food and Drug Administration.Label: Tepezza.
