Tepezza (teprotumumab-trbw)* is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat thyroid eye disease (TED) in adults. TED is a condition that’s caused by a thyroid disease called Graves’ disease.
For more information about Tepezza’s uses, refer to this article.
Drug details
Here are some details about Tepezza, which is a biologic drug:
- How it’s given: IV infusion by your doctor or another healthcare professional
- Biosimilar version: not currently available
Read on to learn about cost and Tepezza infusions, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.
* The reason “-trbw” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to show that the drug is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future.
As with all medications, the cost of Tepezza can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the cost of the visit to your doctor to receive doses of Tepezza
- whether Tepezza has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Tepezza will be for you, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.
Insurance considerations
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Tepezza.
Prior authorization. If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Tepezza. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Tepezza in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Tepezza requires prior authorization.
Type of insurance coverage. Tepezza is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional. If you have insurance, the price of your Tepezza doses may be billed through your primary health insurance instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance. This depends on your insurance coverage and where you receive your Tepezza doses, such as at your doctor’s office, an infusion clinic, or a hospital. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Tepezza.
How can I figure out Tepezza’s cost per dose and per year?
To figure out Tepezza’s cost per dose and per year, talk with your doctor. If you have insurance, you can also talk with your insurance provider.
In most cases, you’ll only need a total of 8 doses* of Tepezza over 24 weeks. So you may not need to have Tepezza treatment over a full year.
Before you start treatment with Tepezza, your insurance provider can estimate how much the drug will cost you. So, you’ll know what the total cost of your treatment will be before you receive your first dose.
If you don’t have insurance and want to know the cost of Tepezza, talk with your doctor. They can estimate the cost per dose for you. They’ll factor in the cost of your doctor visits to receive the drug with the cost of the drug itself.
If you have questions about how often you’ll receive Tepezza or how much it’ll cost, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.
* To learn about Tepezza’s dosages and how often you’ll receive the drug, see this article.
What’s the cost of Tepezza with and without insurance coverage? What’s the cost of Tepezza with Medicare?
The cost of Tepezza with or without insurance or with Medicare can vary based on many factors. For example, the cost of this drug can depend on:
- your dosage
- your insurance coverage
- the cost of your visit to receive your Tepezza dose
Due to these factors, the cost of the medication for each person may be different. So, the best way to find out what your specific cost for Tepezza will be is to ask your doctor or insurance provider. They can estimate the cost of Tepezza therapy before you start treatment.
For more information about the cost of Tepezza with Medicare, see the “Next steps” section below.
Is Tepezza copay assistance available?
Yes, Tepezza’s manufacturer, Horizon Therapeutics, has a copay assistance and support program called Horizon By Your Side. You can enroll in this program to learn about what copay assistance is available and the cost of Tepezza.
For more information about the Tepezza copay assistance program, call 833-583-7399 or visit the program website.
If you need financial support to pay for Tepezza, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A program called Horizon By Your Side is available for Tepezza. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 833-583-7399 or visit the program website.
- Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Tepezza contains the active ingredient teprotumumab-trbw.* It’s available only as a brand-name biologic drug.
Tepezza doesn’t come in a biosimilar version. A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug). Also, biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name medications.
* The reason “-trbw” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to show that the drug is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future.
WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BIOLOGIC DRUGS VS. BIOSIMILAR DRUGS?
Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it for up to
12 years . When the biologic drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create biosimilar versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. Also, because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Tepezza, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Tepezza. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Tepezza.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- More details. For details about other aspects of Tepezza, refer to this article.
- Information for your condition. For more information about eye health, see our eye health hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.