Teprotumumab is a medicine used to treat active moderate-to-severe thyroid eye disease, specifically addressing issues like bulging eyes (proptosis) and double vision.
| Drug class | Thyroid Eye Disease |
|---|---|
| Type | Single |
| Forms | Intravenous Infusion |
| Common strength | 500-1000 mg |
| Common Indian brands | Tepezza (not routinely available in India) |
| Prescription status | Prescription (hospital use) |
What Teprotumumab is used for
Teprotumumab is a specialised medicine used to treat a specific eye condition known as Thyroid Eye Disease (TED). This condition is linked to an overactive thyroid gland, but it affects the eyes independently. Teprotumumab is specifically prescribed for:
- Active moderate-to-severe thyroid eye disease
- When the disease causes bulging of the eyes (proptosis)
- When the disease leads to double vision
It’s important to understand that this medicine targets the active phase of the disease, where inflammation and changes behind the eye are still ongoing.
How it works
To understand how Teprotumumab works, it helps to know a little about Thyroid Eye Disease (TED). In TED, the immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues around the eyes, leading to inflammation and swelling of the muscles and fat behind the eyeball. This swelling pushes the eye forward, causing it to bulge (proptosis), and can also affect eye movement, leading to double vision.
Teprotumumab works by targeting a specific protein called the IGF-1 receptor. This receptor plays a crucial role in driving the inflammation and swelling process in TED. By blocking this receptor, Teprotumumab helps to reduce the swelling of the muscles and fat behind the eye, thereby alleviating symptoms like proptosis and double vision. It essentially calms down the immune response that is causing the problem in the eye area.
How it’s used
Teprotumumab is not a medicine you would take at home. It is administered as an intravenous infusion, which means it is given directly into your vein through a drip. This procedure is always performed by specialists in a hospital or clinic setting.
The typical treatment course involves:
- A total of 8 intravenous infusions.
- These infusions are spread out over a period of 24 weeks.
Your ophthalmologist and the hospital team will schedule these infusions and monitor your progress throughout the treatment. It’s crucial to attend all scheduled appointments to ensure the medicine works effectively.
Always follow your ophthalmologist’s exact instructions.
Brands available in India
- Tepezza (not routinely available in India)
Brand availability and pricing vary; confirm with your pharmacist.
Good to know
Prescription eye medicine — use only as directed by a qualified ophthalmologist. This page is for general education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or a prescription. Do not self-medicate or reuse an old prescription. Not currently approved or routinely available in India — included for reference; ask your ophthalmologist about approved alternatives. This is given only by specialists in a hospital or clinic setting and is never for self-use.
Precautions & side effects
While Teprotumumab can be an effective treatment for Thyroid Eye Disease, there are several important considerations and precautions, especially in the Indian context:
- High Cost and Limited Availability: Teprotumumab is a very expensive medicine, and its availability in India is currently limited. It is not routinely available here.
- Mainstay Treatments in India: Due to the factors above, intravenous steroids and orbital radiotherapy remain the primary and more commonly available treatments for Thyroid Eye Disease in India. Your ophthalmologist will discuss the most suitable and accessible options for your condition.
- Potential for Hearing Loss: One important side effect to be aware of is the potential for hearing loss. Your doctor will monitor you for any changes in hearing during the treatment.
- Prescription and Hospital Use: This is a prescription medicine and is only administered by specialists in a hospital or clinic setting. It is never for self-use.
- General Warning: This page is for general education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or a prescription. Do not self-medicate or reuse an old prescription. Always consult a qualified ophthalmologist for your eye care needs.
Understanding Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)
Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), also known as Graves’ Ophthalmopathy, is an autoimmune condition that affects the eyes. It often occurs in people who have an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), particularly those with Graves’ disease, but it can also occur in people with normal or underactive thyroid function. In TED, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues around the eyes, including the muscles that move the eye and the fat behind the eyeball. This attack leads to inflammation, swelling, and a buildup of fluid and tissue.
The symptoms of TED can vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include a gritty sensation in the eyes, redness, puffiness around the eyes, excessive tearing, and sensitivity to light. More severe symptoms, which Teprotumumab is designed to address, include proptosis (bulging of one or both eyes), double vision (diplopia) due to affected eye muscles, and sometimes even vision loss if the optic nerve is compressed. It’s important to note that TED has an ‘active’ phase, where inflammation is ongoing and symptoms are worsening, and an ‘inactive’ or ‘burnt-out’ phase, where the inflammation has settled, but some changes like proptosis might remain. Treatments like Teprotumumab are typically used during the active phase to reduce inflammation and prevent further damage.
If you suspect you have TED or are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is crucial to consult an ophthalmologist promptly. Early diagnosis and appropriate management can help preserve vision and improve quality of life. Your doctor will conduct a thorough examination and may recommend various tests, including blood tests to check thyroid function and imaging scans of your eyes, to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of your condition.
General Advice for Eye Care and Hygiene
While Teprotumumab is an intravenous treatment, maintaining good general eye care and hygiene is always important, especially for patients with eye conditions. Here are some general tips:
- Maintain Good Hygiene: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your eyes or administering any eye drops or ointments (if prescribed for other conditions). This helps prevent infections.
- Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes: Rubbing your eyes, especially with unwashed hands, can introduce germs and irritate already sensitive eyes.
- Protect Your Eyes: If you have light sensitivity, wearing sunglasses outdoors can provide comfort. For those with proptosis, sleeping with your head elevated can sometimes help reduce morning puffiness.
- Regular Check-ups: Continue to follow up with your ophthalmologist regularly, as advised. These appointments are crucial for monitoring your condition and the effectiveness of any treatments.
- Stay Hydrated and Eat Well: A healthy lifestyle, including adequate hydration and a balanced diet, supports overall health, including eye health.
- Manage Underlying Conditions: If you have an underlying thyroid condition, it’s vital to work with your endocrinologist to ensure your thyroid hormone levels are well-controlled, as this can sometimes influence the course of TED.
When to Seek Medical Help
Even while undergoing treatment like Teprotumumab, or if you are managing your TED with other therapies, it’s important to know when to seek immediate medical attention. Contact your ophthalmologist or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience any of the following:
- Sudden Vision Loss or Changes: Any sudden decrease in vision, blurred vision, or changes in your field of vision.
- Severe Eye Pain: Intense or worsening pain in or around your eyes.
- New or Worsening Double Vision: A sudden onset of double vision or a significant worsening of existing double vision.
- Inability to Close Your Eyelids: If you suddenly find it difficult or impossible to close your eyelids completely, as this can lead to severe dry eye and corneal damage.
- Signs of Infection: Increased redness, swelling, discharge from the eye, or fever.
- Any New or Concerning Symptoms: If you develop any new symptoms that worry you or if your existing symptoms dramatically worsen.
- Hearing Changes: As Teprotumumab can cause hearing loss, report any changes in your hearing, such as ringing in the ears or decreased hearing ability, to your doctor immediately.
Always remember that your ophthalmologist is your best resource for personalised advice and care regarding your eye condition. Do not hesitate to reach out to them with any concerns.
Frequently asked questions
What is Teprotumumab used for?
Teprotumumab is used to treat active moderate-to-severe thyroid eye disease, especially when it causes bulging of the eyes (proptosis) and double vision.
How does Teprotumumab work?
Teprotumumab works by blocking a specific protein called the IGF-1 receptor. This receptor drives the swelling of muscles and fat behind the eye in thyroid eye disease, so blocking it helps reduce inflammation and symptoms.
Are there any common Indian brands for Teprotumumab?
Teprotumumab is known by the brand name Tepezza, but it is not routinely available in India. Intravenous steroids and orbital radiotherapy remain the mainstay treatments here.
How is Teprotumumab administered?
Teprotumumab is given as an intravenous infusion, meaning it is delivered directly into your vein through a drip. The treatment typically involves 8 infusions over a period of 24 weeks, administered by specialists in a hospital or clinic setting.
Do I need a prescription for Teprotumumab?
Yes, Teprotumumab is a prescription medicine and is only for hospital use. It must be prescribed and administered by a qualified ophthalmologist or specialist.
What are the key precautions for Teprotumumab?
Key precautions include its very high cost and limited availability in India, with IV steroids and orbital radiotherapy being the main alternatives here. It can also cause hearing loss, which your doctor will monitor. It is only given by specialists in a hospital setting and is never for self-use.
References
- Eye health – MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- Eye health information – American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Learn about eye health – National Eye Institute (NIH)
- Blindness and vision impairment – World Health Organization
- StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
Medically reviewed by Dr. C Jagadesh Reddy, Chief Surgeon: Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery — last reviewed 2026-07-28.
This page is for general education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never self-medicate or reuse an old prescription. Always consult a qualified ophthalmologist before starting, changing or stopping any eye medicine.