Tepezza is a targeted infusion treatment for people with active thyroid eye disease (TED), designed to reduce eye bulging, double vision and inflammation by addressing the underlying autoimmune process. At The London Clinic Eye Centre, it is delivered by a specialist thyroid eye disease team in a calm, comfortable setting, with careful monitoring of your vision and hearing throughout your course of treatment.
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What is it for?
Tepezza treats active, moderate-to-severe thyroid eye disease
What is Tepezza?
Tepezza (teprotumumab) is a targeted monoclonal antibody treatment that blocks the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), which plays a key role in the autoimmune inflammation seen in thyroid eye disease. By acting on this pathway, Tepezza helps to reduce the inflammation and swelling behind the eyes that cause many of the symptoms of TED.
By targeting the underlying disease process, Tepezza can:
- Reduce swelling and soft tissue fullness around the eyes
- Improve eye bulging (proptosis)
- Reduce double vision
- Ease discomfort, pain and redness
For many patients, this represents a significant step forward compared with traditional treatments such as steroids or surgery alone, as it offers a non-surgical option that addresses the root cause of the condition. It may also reduce the need for future surgery, or improve the results of surgery where it is still required.
Why might I need this treatment?
Tepezza may be suitable if you have:
- Active, moderate-to-severe thyroid eye disease
- Symptoms such as eye bulging, pain, redness, swelling or double vision
- Disease that has not been adequately controlled with standard treatments such as steroids
Your consultant will talk through whether Tepezza is right for you, taking into account the activity and severity of your disease, your general health and any other medical conditions you may have. It may not be suitable if, for example, you have uncontrolled diabetes, certain bowel conditions, or significant hearing problems.
Tepezza offers a non-surgical treatment that targets the root cause of thyroid eye disease and may reduce the need for more invasive procedures. It is currently the only medical treatment specifically licensed for thyroid eye disease.
How effective is Tepezza?
Tepezza has been shown in clinical studies to significantly improve key features of thyroid eye disease.
- Around 70–80% of patients have a meaningful reduction in eye bulging
- Many patients experience improvement in double vision and overall quality of life
- Improvements often begin after the first few infusions, with further gains over the six-month course
Individual responses vary, and your consultant will discuss likely outcomes in the context of your own condition and any previous treatments.
Risks and side effects
All medicines can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. Your consultant will talk these through with you in detail before you decide whether to go ahead.
Common side effects can include:
- Muscle cramps
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Raised blood sugar levels
Less common side effects include:
- Changes in hearing
- Infusion reactions (such as flushing, headache or feeling unwell during the infusion)
- Worsening of underlying inflammatory bowel disease in susceptible patients
The infusion itself is not painful, aside from mild discomfort at the IV site. After treatment, some people notice tiredness, muscle aches or occasional headache, which usually settle with simple measures.
How we manage risks
At The London Clinic Eye Centre, your safety is our priority.
- You’ll be monitored throughout every infusion
- We carry out regular clinical reviews and blood tests during your course of treatment
- Hearing is assessed before, during and after the course, with structured audiology monitoring
- Your consultant can adjust the dose, pause or stop treatment if side effects occur
- You’ll have access to specialist nursing support and our wider multidisciplinary team if you have any concerns between visits
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
You’ll have eight infusions, given every three weeks over roughly six months. Each visit to the Eye Centre usually takes around 1.5–2 hours.
Some people notice changes within the first few infusions, particularly in eye discomfort and swelling. Eye bulging and double vision often continue to improve over the full six-month course.
For many patients, Tepezza offers a non-surgical option and can reduce the need for future surgery. If surgery is still required, it may improve the outcomes by reducing inflammation and soft tissue swelling first.
Tepezza is generally well tolerated, but like all medicines it can cause side effects. At The London Clinic Eye Centre, we monitor you closely throughout treatment, including regular hearing checks and blood tests, so that any problems can be picked up and managed early.
Yes. Because changes in hearing are a recognised, though rare, side effect, we carry out hearing tests before starting treatment and at intervals during and after the course. If any changes are detected, your consultant will discuss whether your treatment plan needs to be adjusted.
What to expect before, during and after treatment
Step 1 Assessment and planning
Your consultant will assess how active and severe your thyroid eye disease is, review your symptoms and any previous treatment, and arrange any tests needed to plan your care. These may include blood tests, eye assessments, scans and a hearing test to make sure Tepezza is safe and suitable for you.
Step 2 Your Tepezza infusions
Tepezza is given as an intravenous infusion every three weeks, for a total of eight treatments over about six months. Each session takes around 1.5–2 hours, is carried out in a monitored clinical setting, and you can usually go home the same day.
Step 3 Follow-up and recovery
Most people return to normal daily activities straight away. Your team will monitor your progress throughout treatment with regular follow-up appointments, including checks on your eyes and hearing, and many patients begin to notice improvement within the first few infusions.
Why choose The London Clinic Eye Centre?
The London Clinic Eye Centre provides the highest standards of eye care. Our team of expert ophthalmologists work in partnership with world leaders and experts from all aspects of medicine, combining state-of-the-art diagnostics with cutting-edge therapies to deliver a best-in-class service to a global audience.
Unparalleled eye expertise
Our ophthalmologists bring global experience across the full range of eye conditions, supported by advanced imaging and The London Clinic’s world-class facilities.
With you at every step
From your first appointment to follow-up, our clinicians, nurses and support teams provide coordinated, bespoke care so you always feel confident and supported.
Personal care, every time
We tailor your care around your individual needs, staying with you throughout your journey and ensuring you feel listened to and supported.
Speak to our team
Whether you’re seeking a diagnosis, treatment or a specialist opinion, our Eye Centre team is here to help. Find out more about how we can support your eye health.
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0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.