Tepezza (teprotumumab-trbw) is a prescription drug used to treat thyroid eye disease (TED) in adults. It comes in single-use vials and is usually given as an infusion into your vein once every 3 weeks.
The active ingredient in Tepezza is teprotumumab-trbw. (The reason “-trbw” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to show that it’s distinct from similar drugs that may be created in the future.)
Tepezza belongs to a group of drugs called insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor inhibitors. It’s a type of monoclonal antibody.
Tepezza comes as a powder in single-use vials mixed with sterile water by a healthcare professional. This liquid solution is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein over time) in a doctor’s office, hospital, or infusion center.
This article describes the dosages of Tepezza, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about Tepezza, see this in-depth article.
The table below highlights the basics of Tepezza’s dosage. All doses are listed in milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight. (For reference, 1 kg equals approximately 2.2 pounds.)
You’ll receive a dose once every 3 weeks. Eight infusions is considered a full treatment course of Tepezza.
| Usual dose | |
| Infusion 1 | 10 mg/kg |
| Infusions 2–8 | 20 mg/kg |
Keep reading for more details about Tepezza’s dosage.
What is Tepezza’s form?
Tepezza comes as a powder in single-use vials. A healthcare professional will mix the powder with sterile water to make a liquid solution. They’ll administer this solution via an IV infusion, typically into your arm.
What strength does Tepezza come in?
Tepezza comes in one strength. Each vial contains 500 mg of teprotumumab.
What are the usual dosages of Tepezza?
The first infusion you receive will likely be a lower dose than the infusions that follow.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for TED
The typical Tepezza dosage for adults with TED is based on your body weight in kg. All doses are given as IV infusions. You’ll receive a dose once every 3 weeks, for a total of eight infusions, which takes about 5 months to complete.
For your first infusion, you’ll likely receive a dose of 10 mg/kg. For the remaining seven infusions, you’ll likely receive a dose of 20 mg/kg. Your first two infusions will be given over 90 minutes. If you don’t experience side effects, infusions three through eight may be given over 60 minutes.
If you experience side effects with the first two doses, your doctor may pause or stop the infusion. These side effects may include high blood pressure, high heart rate, or muscle pain. Your doctor will likely provide a corticosteroid, antihistamine, or another medication to help with pain or fever. You may also be given these medications before later infusions. Once side effects subside, your doctor will likely give remaining infusions at a slower pace.
Your doctor may request that you stay in the infusion facility for about 90 minutes after each dose in case any side effects occur.
Is Tepezza used long term?
No. Tepezza isn’t usually a long-term treatment. A complete treatment course of Tepezza is eight infusions, which will take about 5 months to receive.
Tepezza comes as a powder in single-use vials. A healthcare professional will mix this powder with sterile water to make a liquid solution, which you’ll be given via an IV infusion. You’ll receive these infusions at a doctor’s office, hospital, or infusion center.
Your first two infusions will be given over 90 minutes. If you don’t experience side effects, subsequent infusions can be given over 60 minutes.
If you do experience side effects with one or both of your first two infusions, your doctor may pause or slow the infusion. You may also be given certain medications to help with side effects. Once you recover, your doctor will likely give remaining infusions at a slower pace. (See “What are the usual dosages of Tepezza?” section above to learn more.)
To learn more about how you’ll receive Tepezza, watch this video on the drug manufacturer’s website.
It’s important that you receive all eight doses of Tepezza for a full treatment course, which usually takes around 5 months. If you miss an appointment to receive a dose of Tepezza, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule.
If you need help remembering your appointments, try downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Tepezza’s dosage.
Do older adults need a lower dose of Tepezza?
No. Studies don’t recommend lower doses of Tepezza if you’re over 65 years old.
How long does it take for Tepezza to start working?
In studies, people noticed an improvement in some TED symptoms, such as less eye bulge after 6 weeks of Tepezza treatment. But your doctor will monitor you to be sure the drug is effectively treating your condition.
If you have other questions about what to expect from Tepezza treatment, talk with your doctor.
The sections above describe the usual dosage provided by Tepezza’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Talk with them if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage. Examples of questions you may want to ask include:
- Can I receive more than eight infusions of Tepezza?
- If I notice improvement before I complete my treatment course of Tepezza, can I stop receiving it?
- If I have diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease, do I need a different dosage of Tepezza?
To learn more about Tepezza, see these articles:
- Tepezza Infusion: Treatment for Thyroid Eye Disease
- Tepezza Side Effects: What You Need to Know
- Tepezza and Cost: What You Need to Know
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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.