Tepezza (teprotumumab-trbw) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for thyroid eye disease (TED) in adults. Tepezza comes as an intravenous (IV) infusion that’s given by a healthcare professional.
Tepezza is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor inhibitors. Tepezza isn’t available in a biosimilar version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Tepezza, including its strength and how to receive the medication. For a comprehensive look at Tepezza, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Tepezza provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Tepezza dosage that’s right for you.
Read below for details about Tepezza’s dosages for its approved uses.
Tepezza form
Tepezza comes as a powder in a single-dose vial. The powder is mixed with a liquid to form a solution for intravenous (IV) infusion. You’ll receive the IV infusion in a hospital or clinic.
Tepezza strength
Tepezza comes in one strength of 500 milligrams (mg).
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for thyroid eye disease
Doctors may prescribe Tepezza to treat thyroid eye disease (TED).
If your doctor prescribes Tepezza for TED, your dosage will be based on your body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). The starting dosage per kg is typically 10 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg). For example, if you weigh 154 lb (70 kg), your dosage will likely be 700 mg.
Typically, you’ll receive this dose one time. After 3 weeks, your doctor will increase your dosage to 20 mg/kg (1400 mg if you weigh 154 lb). You’ll receive one 20 mg/kg infusion once every 3 weeks for a total of seven infusions. This is the typical recommended dosage of Tepezza for people with TED.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Long-term treatment
Tepezza is given short term for TED. Doctors prescribe Tepezza for a a full course of eight infusions to treat TED.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to receive Tepezza.
The Tepezza dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your body weight
- if you’re receiving the first infusion or subsequent infusions
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you the IV infusion of Tepezza. First, they’ll mix the powder form of Tepezza with a liquid to make a solution. Then, they’ll prepare the solution for infusion.
You’ll likely go to your doctor’s office, infusion center, or a hospital to receive your infusion. The first two infusions take about 90 minutes. If your doctor recommends it, the third through eighth infusions may be given over 60 minutes.
If you have questions about how to use Tepezza, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also a helpful video and detailed instructions on the manufacturer’s website.
If you miss your appointment for a Tepezza infusion, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule as needed.
If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Tepezza.
How long does it take for Tepezza to start working?
Tepezza starts to work after your first dose. You may see an improvement in your symptoms after 6 weeks. To make sure you receive the full benefits of the treatment, you’ll need to receive all eight infusions. Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Tepezza treatment.
Is there a typical dosage range for Tepezza?
Yes, the typical recommended dosage range for Tepezza is:
- one infusion of 10 mg/kg (initial dose)
- seven infusions of 20 mg/kg
For more information about Tepezza dosages, see the “Tepezza dosage” section above. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Tepezza for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
If you have questions about the dosage of Tepezza that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Tepezza. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Tepezza: For information about other aspects of Tepezza, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Tepezza, see this article. You can also look at the Tepezza prescribing information.
- Cost: If you’d like to learn about Tepezza and cost, see this article.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.