For Active Thyroid Eye Disease
Tepezza (teprotumumab-trbw) is the first FDA-approved medical therapy specifically targeting the underlying pathology of Thyroid Eye Disease. In clinical trials, it produced a ≥2 mm reduction in proptosis (bulging eyes) in 83% of patients — without surgery — and significantly improved double vision, lid retraction, and quality of life.
Tepezza (generic name: teprotumumab) is a fully human monoclonal antibody approved by the FDA in January 2020 for the treatment of active Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), also called Graves' ophthalmopathy. It is administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion in an outpatient infusion center or physician's office.
Before Tepezza, the main options for significant proptosis were IV steroids — which provided mostly temporary relief — orbital radiation or other immunosuppressive therapies, and surgical orbital decompression. Tepezza targets the disease mechanism directly, producing reductions in proptosis and inflammation that often persist beyond the completion of the treatment course, though some patients experience partial relapse and may need retreatment.
ASOPRS fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeons are uniquely qualified to manage Thyroid Eye Disease across its full natural history — from monitoring the active inflammatory phase and administering Tepezza, through surgical rehabilitation when the disease stabilizes.
The hallmark of TED is activation of orbital fibroblasts — connective tissue cells within the orbit — by two key immune receptors: the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) and the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R). When autoantibodies bind these receptors, fibroblasts proliferate, produce excess hyaluronic acid, and differentiate into fat cells, causing orbital volume to expand. The result is proptosis, lid retraction, double vision, and orbital pain.
Teprotumumab binds and blocks the IGF-1R receptor, interrupting the signal cascade that drives fibroblast activation. By silencing this pathway, the drug:
Because teprotumumab acts on a different pathway than steroids, patients who have failed or cannot tolerate steroid therapy may still respond to Tepezza.
Tepezza was approved on the basis of two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (OPTIC and its predecessor). Key results at week 24:
| Outcome | Tepezza | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Proptosis response (≥2 mm reduction) | 83% | 10% |
| Overall response rate | 78% | 7% |
| Mean proptosis reduction | 2.82 mm | 0.54 mm |
| Clinical Activity Score response | 59% | 21% |
| Diplopia response | 68% | 29% |
| Quality of life (GO-QOL) | +19.0 pts | +6.6 pts |
In the OPTIC extension study, patients who responded to Tepezza maintained significant proptosis reductions at 51 weeks post-treatment, with most responders sustaining their improvements. Patients who relapsed after initial treatment responded well to a second course of teprotumumab.
Tepezza characteristically reduces proptosis (eye bulging) and softens the inflammatory, staring appearance of active thyroid eye disease. Individual results vary.
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Tepezza is most effective in patients with active thyroid eye disease — meaning the inflammatory phase is ongoing. Key candidacy criteria:
Clinical signs of active disease — a Clinical Activity Score (CAS) of at least 3 of 7 (pain with eye movement, redness, swelling, conjunctival injection). Tepezza works best during the active inflammatory phase; since the 2023 label update it is approved for TED regardless of activity score or duration, so candidacy is individualized.
Ideally within the first 9–12 months of symptom onset, when the inflammatory phase is most active and treatment response is highest.
Proptosis ≥3 mm above normal, or new or worsening diplopia that impacts daily function.
Thyroid hormone levels should be stabilized with endocrinology management before or concurrent with Tepezza treatment.
Note on inactive TED: Patients in the inactive (quiescent) phase of TED — stable proptosis, no active inflammation — are not candidates for Tepezza and should be evaluated for surgical options including orbital decompression, strabismus surgery, and eyelid recession.
Tepezza is administered as an IV infusion according to a standardized protocol:
10 mg/kg over 90 minutes. Baseline eye measurements, Clinical Activity Score, and blood glucose are recorded before starting.
20 mg/kg every 3 weeks. After the first one or two infusions are well tolerated, the infusion time may be shortened (to 60 and then 30 minutes). Total treatment: 24 weeks.
Eye exams and Hertel exophthalmometry at each visit track proptosis reduction. Blood glucose monitoring is recommended, especially in patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Final measurements at week 24. Most patients reach maximum response by infusion 6–8. Stable disease can then be monitored; relapse is treated with a second course.
Most patients complete all 8 infusions, but Tepezza requires active monitoring — particularly of blood glucose and hearing — and the side effects below should be reviewed before starting treatment. The most clinically important to monitor:
Blood glucose can rise significantly during and after infusions. Patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes require close monitoring. All patients should have fasting glucose checked before each infusion.
Hearing-related effects (tinnitus, ear fullness, autophony, hearing loss) were reported in about 10% of clinical-trial patients, but post-marketing studies using formal hearing testing found otologic symptoms in a majority of patients. Most symptoms (tinnitus, fullness, autophony) resolve after treatment, but some hearing loss can be permanent. The FDA label recommends audiologic assessment before, during, and after treatment — baseline and monitoring audiology is especially important for patients with pre-existing hearing problems.
Usually mild and manageable with magnesium supplementation. Rarely requires treatment interruption.
Diffuse thinning usually resolves after completing the treatment course.
Mild reactions (flushing, headache, nausea) can usually be managed by slowing the infusion rate. Severe reactions are rare.
Tepezza is not contraindicated in inflammatory bowel disease, but it may cause an exacerbation of pre-existing IBD (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis). Patients with known IBD should be monitored, and any flare in symptoms reported promptly.
Tepezza may cause harm to a developing fetus. Pregnancy should be excluded before starting treatment, and patients who can become pregnant should use effective contraception during therapy and for 6 months after the final infusion.
TED is a complex, multi-stage disease that requires monitoring and management across its entire natural history — from the active inflammatory phase treated with Tepezza, through the stable phase where surgical rehabilitation is performed. An ASOPRS fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeon is uniquely positioned to provide this continuity:
ASOPRS fellowship-trained surgeons measure proptosis, grade CAS, and interpret orbital imaging to track disease response to Tepezza over time.
When Tepezza produces a plateau — or when disease is inactive — oculoplastic surgeons perform orbital decompression, strabismus surgery, and eyelid recession.
Patients receive complete TED management from one subspecialist rather than being referred between multiple providers.
TED is driven by underlying thyroid autoimmunity. Oculoplastic surgeons coordinate care with your endocrinologist and assist with prior authorization for Tepezza infusions.
Schedule an evaluation to find out whether your thyroid eye disease is in the active phase and whether Tepezza — or surgical rehabilitation — is the right next step.
