Did you take Tepezza for your thyroid eye disease, only to develop hearing loss or other debilitating side effects later? You could have the right to sue Horizon Therapeutics, the company that manufactured the medication, for failing to warn you of its dangers. The dangerous drug lawyers with Marks & Harrison can pursue your case on your behalf.
Founded in 1911, Marks & Harrison is one of Virginia’s largest personal injury firms. With 28 experienced attorneys and over 100 support staff, we have the resources and knowledge to handle the most complex cases. Yet our goal is simple: to secure justice and compensation for the wrongfully injured.
Ready to speak with an experienced attorney about your eligibility to file a Tepezza lawsuit? Contact Marks & Harrison today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
What is Tepezza?
Tepezza is the brand name for a prescription drug called teprotumumab, manufactured by Horizon Therapeutics to treat thyroid eye disease (TED). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it in January 2020, making it the first approved drug for the treatment of TED.
What is Thyroid Eye Disease?
Thyroid eye disease (TED), also called Graves’ orbitopathy, is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder that affects the fatty and muscle tissues around the eyes. TED can lead to swelling, bulging eyes, redness of the eyes, and conjunctivitis. It can also cause double vision and, in rare cases, blindness.
What Are the Possible Side Effects When Using Tepezza?
When the FDA approved Tepezza for the treatment of TED, it noted that hearing loss was one of several possible side effects, as well as nausea, alopecia, fatigue, diarrhea, hyperglycemia, dry skin, muscle spasms, headache, and an altered sense of taste. It also noted that pregnant people should not take the drug.
Has Tepezza Been Linked to Hearing Loss?
The FDA acknowledged hearing loss was a possible side effect of using Tepezza when it approved the drug, noting that about 10 percent of patients who took Tepezza reported some degree of loss. However, many now believe that to be a gross understatement of the actual risk. In March 2021, the Journal of the Endocrine Society published a study that found that the rate of hearing loss in patients taking teprotumumab (the drug’s generic name) could be as high as 65 percent.
To conduct their study, researchers examined 26 patients who had each undergone at least four infusions of teprotumumab, or half of the eight-course treatment. When questioned, 17 patients reported some type of hearing-related side effect. The most common were:
- An unusually loud sensation when speaking (29 percent)
- Tinnitus/ringing in the ears (27 percent)
- Self-reported hearing loss (23 percent)
- A plugging sensation (12 percent)
These symptoms usually began after the patient received their third or fourth infusion of teprotumumab.
How Does Tepezza Cause Hearing Loss?
The mechanism by which Tepezza causes hearing loss remains unclear. Four of the 17 affected patients in the 2021 study reported new or worsening sensorineural hearing loss caused by damage to the hairs in the inner ear. Three reported patulous eustachian tube, in which the channel that runs between the middle ear and the nose remains open rather than staying closed except to release pressure. All patients with this condition reported improvement after three months, while only half of those with sensorineural hearing loss did.
Did the Manufacturer of Tepezza Fail to Warn About Hearing Loss?
According to active lawsuits, Horizon Therapeutics failed to adequately warn patients of the potential link between the drug and hearing loss. Moreover, it did not say that the hearing loss that 10 percent of the trial patients reported could prove permanent.
Is Hearing Loss From Tepezza Permanent?
The researchers who discovered the higher risk of hearing loss related to Tepezza were quick to note that the three-month duration of their study was too short to determine the long-term prognosis of the patients. While some patients showed improvement, the Endocrine Society’s report did not state whether any experienced a complete return of normal hearing function.
How Do I Know If I Am Eligible for a Tepezza Lawsuit?
You might be eligible to bring a Tepezza lawsuit if you were:
- Prescribed Tepezza and received multiple infusions
- Diagnosed with hearing loss or tinnitus/ringing in the ears
If you meet these criteria, contact a Tepezza lawsuit attorney immediately.
Is This a Class Action Lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit allows one or several plaintiffs to pursue a single legal action on behalf of a much larger affected group, or class. Doing so simplifies what could otherwise be a sprawling set of related cases, each with its own timeline and outcome. The Tepezza lawsuits have yet to reach the phase where they can be grouped into a single action, but as more individual suits continue to be filed, they might reach that stage in the near future.
What Compensation Is Available Through a Tepezza Lawsuit?
The compensation you could recover through a Tepezza lawsuit depends on the specific harm you suffered due to the drug. A successful claim could include money for the following:
- Medical bills necessitated by additional treatment
- Lost income for time missed at work
- Diminished earning potential, if hearing loss affects your career
- Reduced quality of life
- Pain and suffering due to the effects of hearing loss
After reviewing your case, a defective drug attorney could give you a more specific answer.
Contact a Tepezza Lawsuit Lawyer
If you developed hearing loss due to taking Tepezza, Horizon Therapeutics could owe you money for the harm they caused. However, going up against a major pharmaceutical company with deep pockets without legal help could leave you without the resources you need to rebuild your life. Instead, turn to one of Virginia’s top personal injury firms to demand full and fair compensation.
Ready to discuss your case with a Tepezza lawsuit lawyer from Marks & Harrison? Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
