Tepezza (teprotumunab-trbw) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for thyroid eye disease in adults. As with other drugs, Tepezza can cause side effects, such as nausea, fatigue, and muscle spasms.

Tepezza can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who received Tepezza in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Tepezza. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Tepezza’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Tepezza include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect during Tepezza treatment and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after receiving Tepezza. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Tepezza may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Tepezza’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects during Tepezza treatment, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* An allergic reaction is possible after receiving Tepezza. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Tepezza may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Can Tepezza cause long-term side effects?

Yes, it’s possible for Tepezza to cause long-term side effects. However, serious long-term side effects are not common with this drug.

Temporary hearing problems, such as hearing loss, were reported during Tepezza’s clinical trials. In most cases, this hearing loss went away after stopping treatment with Tepezza. However, in other cases, hearing loss was permanent. For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Tepezza may also cause hair loss or hair thinning during treatment. If you experience this side effect, it’s expected to go away after you finish treatment with Tepezza. However, it may take some time for your hair to fully grow back.

Nail changes, such as nail discoloration, are also possible during treatment with Tepezza. If you experience any nail changes, it may take some time for your nails to grow out and return to their typical appearance.

If you have concerns about long-term side effects with Tepezza, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How long do side effects of Tepezza typically last?

It can depend. Many side effects reported with Tepezza are mild and typically don’t last for long. Most side effects will go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the drug. Certain side effects, such as mild infusion-related reactions, may only last for a short time after each infusion.

If you experience side effects that are bothersome or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can determine whether Tepezza is causing these effects and recommend ways to manage them.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Tepezza may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Tepezza.

Hearing problems, such as hearing loss

Hearing problems, such as hearing loss, were commonly reported side effects in Tepezza’s clinical trials. These hearing problems can occur in one or both ears. Most of these reported side effects went away after the person stopped receiving the drug. However, in some cases, hearing loss was permanent.

Hearing problems may include:

What you can do

Your doctor will likely check your hearing before, during, and after treatment with Tepezza. If you notice any changes in your hearing, talk with your doctor. They can advise ways to manage this side effect.

If your hearing problems are severe, your doctor may recommend that you stop treatment with Tepezza. In this case, they can prescribe a different treatment for your thyroid eye disease (TED).

Hair loss

Hair loss or hair thinning was a commonly reported side effect in clinical trials of Tepezza. Hair loss or thinning typically affects hair on the scalp. However, it can also affect body hair. Hair loss reported with this drug is expected to be temporary and should go away after you stop receiving Tepezza infusions.

What you can do

If you have concerns about hair loss during treatment with Tepezza, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to help manage this side effect.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Tepezza can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep receiving Tepezza. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you start Tepezza. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Before you start treatment with Tepezza, tell your doctor if you have an IBD, such as Crohn’s disease. Receiving Tepezza infusions can worsen your condition by causing your IBD to flare-up. If you experience any symptoms of IBD during treatment, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloody stool, or incontinence, talk with your doctor. They may have you stop treatment with Tepezza.

Diabetes or prediabetes: Before starting treatment with Tepezza, be sure to tell your doctor if you have diabetes or prediabetes. Tepezza can cause high blood sugar. If you already have one of these conditions, you may have a higher risk of this side effect. Your doctor will check your blood sugar level before and during treatment. If you develop high blood sugar during treatment, your doctor will recommend ways to manage your blood sugar level while receiving Tepezza.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Tepezza or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Tepezza. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child, treatment with Tepezza is not considered safe for you or your child. Be sure to tell your doctor whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding before you start receiving Tepezza injections. They can suggest different treatment options for your condition.

Alcohol consumption: There are no known interactions between Tepezza and alcohol. If you have questions about drinking alcohol during treatment with Tepezza, talk with your doctor.

As with most medications, Tepezza can cause side effects. Most are mild and typically go away on their own after a few days to weeks. Tepezza can also cause some serious side effects. You should talk with your doctor if you have any side effects that last, are bothersome, or are serious.

If you’d like to learn more about Tepezza, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from receiving the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

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.