TEPEZZA FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about TEPEZZA

Questions about TEPEZZA? Talk to a Nurse Advocate. Call
1-833-483-7399, Monday through Friday, 8AM to 8PM ET

Nurse Advocates do not provide individual patient care or medical advice. After speaking with a Nurse Advocate, be sure to talk with your doctor about your treatment options, including TEPEZZA. You should talk to your doctor to see if TEPEZZA is right for you.

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Out-of-pocket costs vary depending on your health insurance plan. However, Horizon Therapeutics (the makers of TEPEZZA) believes paying for treatment shouldn’t get in the way of your health. That’s why Horizon By Your Side, a patient support program, is available to help you explore all available cost assistance options.

  • Do you have commercial insurance, such as a preferred provider organization (PPO) or health maintenance organization (HMO)? If so, you may be eligible for $0 Co-pay!*
  • Do you have government insurance, such as Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Medigap, VA, CHAMPUS, Department of Defense, TRICARE, or any state patient, foundation, or other pharmaceutical program? If so, there may be additional support for you.
  • No insurance? You still may have options for treatment coverage.

Once you and your doctor decide TEPEZZA is right for you, our Horizon By Your Side staff is available to talk you through the insurance approval process and what your potential out-of-pocket treatment costs may be.

Coverage for TEPEZZA varies depending on your health insurance plan.

  • If you have commercial insurance, such as a preferred provider organization (PPO) or health maintenance organization (HMO), you may be eligible for a $0 co-pay for both the cost of TEPEZZA and the IV infusion process through the Horizon Commercial Co-Pay Program.*
  • If you have government insurance such as Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Medigap, VA, CHAMPUS, Department of Defense, or TRICARE, additional support may be available.

Once you and your doctor decide TEPEZZA is right for you, our Horizon By Your Side staff is available to talk you through the insurance approval process and what your potential out-of-pocket treatment costs may be.

Coverage for patients with Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Medigap, VA, CHAMPUS, Department of Defense, or TRICARE varies by state and individual. Once you and your doctor decide TEPEZZA is right for you, our Horizon By Your Side staff are available to review the insurance approval process and what your potential out-of-pocket treatment costs may be.

Over 15,000 TED patients have been treated with TEPEZZA.

The most common side effects of TEPEZZA include muscle cramps or spasms, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, feeling tired, high blood sugar, hearing problems, taste changes, headache, dry skin, weight loss, nail problems, and changes in menstruation. Learn more about potential TEPEZZA side effects. Then watch a video from a TED Eye Specialist about side effects.

Always speak with your doctor about any side effects you may be experiencing.

TEPEZZA is an IV (intravenous) medicine. This means it is delivered through a needle that is placed in your arm. The process of delivering an IV medicine is called an infusion.

TEPEZZA is given as 1 infusion every 3 weeks, for a total of 8 infusions. So, completing TEPEZZA treatment takes about 5 months. Read more about how TEPEZZA is given.

To get the full benefits, make sure you complete all 8 TEPEZZA infusions as prescribed by your doctor.

Photo of a chair used for infusions Photo of a chair used for infusions Photo of a chair used for infusions

You may receive TEPEZZA at an infusion center. This is a clinic that specializes in delivering IV medicines like TEPEZZA. You may also receive TEPEZZA in your doctor’s office, in a hospital, or in your own home. Talk to your doctor and your insurance provider about the right location for you.

Typically, you’ll receive your TEPEZZA in an infusion chair, which is a cushioned armchair a lot like a recliner.

There may be a TV to help you pass the time, or you can enjoy your own books, magazines, or your tablet or phone. There may be other patients nearby receiving medicines for many types of conditions, not just TED. Medical professionals, like nurses, at the infusion center are trained to look out for side effects, such as infusion reactions, and know how to handle them. They are also trained on the proper way to give IV medicines.

The first 2 infusions of TEPEZZA will take about 90 minutes each to complete. Depending on how you react to the medicine, the next 6 infusions may be as short as 60 minutes. But taking into account time to check-in, have your vitals checked, and prepare the infusion, the total time will be longer.

Learn more:

What to expect during your first infusion

While TEPEZZA and some chemotherapy treatments are both infusions, they are not the same type of medicine.

There are many kinds of medicines that are infused to treat a variety of conditions. And infused medicines may be more common than you think; in fact, some antibiotics are infused. Infusions are also used to treat autoimmune conditions like Thyroid Eye Disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and others.

For some people in clinical studies, TEPEZZA worked quickly: some people began to see less eye bulging, redness, and swelling in as soon as 6 weeks (after 2 infusions). TEPEZZA took longer to work for some patients. It is important to know that in clinical studies, the symptoms for people who saw results with TEPEZZA continued to get better through the full course of 8 infusions.

See real before/after photos

The TEPEZZA clinical studies were designed for patients to receive 8 infusions.

In a clinical study, more than 8 out of 10 patients who completed all 8 infusions of TEPEZZA had less eye bulging. Additionally, 7 out of 10 patients in the clinical studies had improvements in double vision. Patients also had less eye redness, pain, and swelling. You may start to see some results with TEPEZZA before all 8 infusions are complete. But to get the full benefits of TEPEZZA treatment, you should finish all infusions as prescribed by your doctor.

Learn more:

What to expect when you take TEPEZZA

You should not take TEPEZZA if you are pregnant because TEPEZZA may harm your unborn baby. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you can become pregnant, you should use an effective form of birth control (contraception) before you start TEPEZZA, during treatment, and for at least 6 months after your last TEPEZZA treatment.

Before receiving TEPEZZA, tell your doctor if you 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.

It’s not common, but another course of treatment with TEPEZZA might be needed to treat disease flare in some patients. According to one study, approximately 15% of TED patients may experience a return of symptoms, or a flare, regardless of how their TED was originally treated. If your symptoms return, talk to your doctor to see if another course of TEPEZZA may be needed.


When my symptoms returned, my doctor said I needed a second course of TEPEZZA. My first course of TEPEZZA provided a lot of relief. So, I was hopeful to have a similar experience. And, thankfully, I did.”

– Patti D., real TEPEZZA patient

The most common side effects of TEPEZZA include muscle cramps or spasms, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, feeling tired, high blood sugar, hearing problems, taste changes, headache, dry skin, weight loss, nail problems, and changes in menstruation. Watch a video from a TED Eye Specialist about side effects.

Always speak with your doctor about any side effects you may be experiencing.


With each infusion, I did feel more and more relief. And after 8 infusions, when my doctor took the measurements, I could feel and see the difference in my eyes.”

– Jeanne T., real TEPEZZA patient

Photo of TEPEZZA patient, Randi, holding glasses

USE and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about TEPEZZA?

Infusion reactions can happen during or within 24 hours after your infusion of TEPEZZA. If you have a reaction while receiving TEPEZZA, your doctor or nurse will slow or stop your infusion and treat your reaction. If you have a severe infusion reaction, your doctor may stop your treatment completely.

Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of these symptoms during or after your treatment with TEPEZZA:
  • High blood pressure
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Redness of the face/Feeling hot
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain

If you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, TEPEZZA may make your IBD symptoms worse. Symptoms of worsening IBD may include: an increased number of loose stools with stomach pain or cramps, and blood in your stools. After each TEPEZZA infusion, tell your doctor right away if you have worsening IBD symptoms.

TEPEZZA may cause an increase in your blood sugar. Before starting treatment with TEPEZZA, tell your doctor if you are currently being treated for diabetes, know your blood sugar is high, or have been diagnosed with diabetes. It is important for you to take your treatments and follow an appropriate diet for glucose control as prescribed by your doctor.

TEPEZZA may cause severe hearing problems including hearing loss, which in some cases may be permanent. Tell your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms of hearing problems or changes in hearing.

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.
What are the possible side effects of TEPEZZA?

The most common side effects of TEPEZZA include muscle cramps or spasms, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, feeling tired, high blood sugar, hearing problems, taste changes, headache, dry skin, weight loss, nail problems, and changes in menstruation.

This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Tell your doctor or treatment team about any side effect you may have.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please visit TEPEZZA.com for more information.

USE

TEPEZZA is a prescription medicine used to treat Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), no matter if you’ve had TED for months or years.

P-TEP-US-00841-3 07/23

USE and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about TEPEZZA?

Infusion reactions can happen during or within 24 hours after your infusion of TEPEZZA. If you have a reaction while receiving TEPEZZA, your doctor or nurse will slow or stop your infusion and treat your reaction. If you have a severe infusion reaction, your doctor may stop your treatment completely.

Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of these symptoms during or after your treatment with TEPEZZA:
  • High blood pressure
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Redness of the face/Feeling hot
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain

If you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, TEPEZZA may make your IBD symptoms worse. Symptoms of worsening IBD may include: an increased number of loose stools with stomach pain or cramps, and blood in your stools. After each TEPEZZA infusion, tell your doctor right away if you have worsening IBD symptoms.

TEPEZZA may cause an increase in your blood sugar. Before starting treatment with TEPEZZA, tell your doctor if you are currently being treated for diabetes, know your blood sugar is high, or have been diagnosed with diabetes. It is important for you to take your treatments and follow an appropriate diet for glucose control as prescribed by your doctor.

TEPEZZA may cause severe hearing problems including hearing loss, which in some cases may be permanent. Tell your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms of hearing problems or changes in hearing.

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.
What are the possible side effects of TEPEZZA?

The most common side effects of TEPEZZA include muscle cramps or spasms, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, feeling tired, high blood sugar, hearing problems, taste changes, headache, dry skin, weight loss, nail problems, and changes in menstruation.

This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Tell your doctor or treatment team about any side effect you may have.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please visit TEPEZZA.com for more information.

USE

TEPEZZA is a prescription medicine used to treat Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), no matter if you’ve had TED for months or years.

P-TEP-US-00841-3 07/23