TEPEZZA®
Infusion Therapy
Thyroid eye disease is a rare chronic condition, and TEPEZZA® infusion therapy was the first drug approved by the FDA for its treatment in 2020. Patients with rare diseases often have few treatment options available, and the approval of TEPEZZA IV therapy was an important milestone for the treatment of thyroid eye disease.
About TEPEZZA® Infusion Therapy
TEPEZZA (teprotumumab) is a prescription IV medication formulated to treat thyroid eye disease (TED). This biologic formula is made from parts of living organisms and does not have a generic biosimilar form.
This medication attaches to proteins found on the surface of cells to keep the immune system from activating the damaging proteins. This protects the affected muscle and fat tissue behind your eyes from your immune system.
Conditions Treated by TEPEZZA®
Though a relatively rare condition, thyroid eye disease can be serious and progressive. In some cases, it can result in vision loss. TED is also known as Graves’ eye disease, Graves’ ophthalmopathy, and Graves’ orbitopathy.
What to Expect During TEPEZZA® Infusion Therapy
The FlexCare team will administer TEPEZZA infusion therapy during a 60- to 90-minute infusion therapy session in one of our comfortable, patient-centered infusion suites.
Your physician will determine the dosage based on your medical condition, weight, and other factors. TEPEZZA IV therapy is usually given as a series of infusions approximately every three weeks for a total of eight doses, which equals a total duration of about five months of treatment.
Injection site reactions may include increased blood pressure, fast heartbeat, headache, or muscle pain. Side effects of TEPEZZA infusion therapy can include muscle spasms, fatigue, weakness, nausea, dry skin, or a change in hearing and taste senses. Though temporary hair loss may also occur, growth should return to normal after completed the course of treatment.
It is usually safe and often recommended to use eye drops during your TEPEZZA treatment, but we recommend discussing it with your doctor prior to use.
FlexCare has the highest approval rate of second-course Tepezza referrals. Contact us if your second course of treatment was previously denied.
Getting Started With Infusion Therapy
If you have been prescribed TEPEZZA infusion therapy to treat thyroid eye disease, your doctor can easily send us a referral. If you have any questions, you can also contact FlexCare directly. We look forward to helping you soon.