Tepezza Side Effects May Be Linked To Hearing Loss: Study

Nearly two out of three individuals experienced Tepezza hearing loss side effects, developing after an average of 3-4 infusions. As a result researchers recommended patients be screened and monitored before treatment.

The findings of a new study suggest side effects of the thyroid eye disease drug Tepezza causes hearing problems in up to two-thirds of all patients who use it.

Stanford University researchers say 65% of patients who took Tepezza reported hearing problems, such as ringing of the ears, autophony, a sensation that their ears were plugged, or total hearing loss.

The findings were presented at a virtual annual meeting of The Endocrine Society last week, and are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Tepezza (temprotumumab) was just recently introduced in January 2020 as a treatment for thyroid eye disease, which can cause eyes to be dry, watery or red, and can cause eyes to bulge and cause double vision, as well as other vision problems. The drug is injected once every three weeks until they have received eight infusions total.

In this latest study, researchers evaluated the side effects of Tepezza in 26 patients who were given at least four infusions. Of those, 17 patients, or 65%, reported developing hearing problems. Of those, six, or 23%, reported suffering hearing loss; seven, or 27% developed tinnitus, a ringing in the ears; and three, or 12%, reported feeling an ear plugging sensation. In addition, 29% said they developed autophony, where their own voices sounded unusually loud to themselves.

The hearing problems from Tepezza appeared to develop after an average of 3.6 infusions, according to the findings.

Four of the patients who reported problems had sensorineural hearing loss, which occurs when hair cells in the inner ear become damage. Some patients saw problems lessen or disappear after several months, but not all. The follow up period was only three months, which researchers said was too short to properly assess whether the problems were truly reversible.

The researchers recommended doctors become more aware of the potential hearing issues when prescribing the drug, and recommended new patients be screened before taking it. The researchers advised doctors to conduct baseline audiogram testing.

2022 Tepezza Lawsuit Update

The first Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit was filed by Daniel Weibel in August 2022, indicating that he experienced hearing problems after receiving a series of infusions between June 2020 and September 2020, shortly after the drug was introduced through an FDA fast-track approval process.

Although the Tepezza warning label mentions hearing loss as a possible side effect, the lawsuit alleges that false and misleading information suggested that the Tepezza hearing problems resolve and typically last only a short amount of time. However, Weibel indicates that he never would have agreed to take the thyroid eye disease treatment if he had been warned about the risk of long-lasting hearing loss from Tepezza side effects.

Throughout 2022, Tepezza lawyers are investigating additional cases for former patients left with tinnitus or hearing loss following treatment. All claims are being pursued on a contingency fee basis, which means that there are no fees or expenses unless a Tepezza settlement or lawsuit payout is received for hearing loss caused by the drug.