A new scientific report has revealed that Tepezza, an injectable prescription drug used to treat thyroid eye disease (TED) in some patients, may result in permanent hearing loss and/or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Individuals that used Tepezza and then suffered from hearing loss or tinnitus may be able to bring a lawsuit and get compensation. Our attorneys are currently accepting cases in this area of law. Contact us today if you're interested in finding out more.
What Is Tepezza?
A relatively new medication, Tepezza is used to treat thyroid eye disease (TED). TED is a condition in which the body's immune system targets the muscle and tissue around the eyes, causing bulging eyes, pain, and blurred vision. In some cases, TED is caused by Grave's disease.
Tepezza is administered by injection about every three weeks for around five months. Though the exact mechanism by which it works is not known, Tepezza inhibits the immune system from attacking fat in the name of inflammation and oxidation, which reduces swelling and leakage.
Tepezza is a Horizon Therapeutics product developed with patent protection by Horizon Therapeutics.Horizon acknowledged that Tepezza presented a risk of hearing loss or damage as a potential side effect when the FDA first approved it.According to Horizon, only 10% of people will experience this potential side effect. Moreover, Horizon characterized hearing loss as "temporary and generally of limited duration."Not only did Horizon vastly underestimate the risk of hearing damage resulting from Tepezza, but it also misrepresented how severe the hearing damage may be.
Link Between Tepezza and Hearing Loss?
In March 2021, the Endocrine Society published a study that found that 65% of patients involved in the trial reported some level of hearing loss, hearing damage, or tinnitus. This number is roughly six times greater than Horizon disclosed on its product packaging or warning labels.
Despite acknowledging hearing loss as a potential side effect of Tepezza, Horizon failed to provide consumers with an adequate warning about the known risks. A warning that doesn't meaningfully convey the threat is no warning. Horizon was aware of Tepezza presented an increased risk of hearing loss and that this hearing loss could be permanent.
Lawsuit Update
In 2022, people who suffered hearing loss or tinnitus after receiving an injection of Tepezza began filing lawsuits against Horizon, alleging that Horizon was negligent because they had not warned them and doctors about the actual risks associated with a Tepezza injection.
These lawsuits against Tepezza allege that there was not enough warning about the risk of hearing damage from this drug. These plaintiffs claim that they would never have taken the drug for the treatment of their TED if Horizon had warned them adequately and accurately about this risk.