Tezspire (tezepelumab-ekko) is a brand-name injectable solution prescribed for severe asthma in adults and certain children. As with other drugs, Tezspire can cause side effects, such as sore throat and joint pain.

Tezspire (tezepelumab-ekko*) can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who received Tezspire in clinical trials:

* The reason “-ekko” 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.
† For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Tezspire. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Tezspire’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Tezspire include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect during treatment with Tezspire and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after receiving a dose of Tezspire. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Serious side effects from Tezspire can occur, but they’re rare. Severe allergic reaction* was reported in clinical trials of Tezspire. For more information, you can refer to Tezspire’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects during treatment with Tezspire, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* An allergic reaction is possible after receiving a dose of Tezspire. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Tezspire may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Can Tezspire cause weight gain or weight loss?

It’s unlikely, since weight gain and weight loss weren’t among Tezspire’s side effects in clinical trials.

However, as part of your asthma treatment, you may be taking an oral corticosteroid, such as prednisone. And weight gain is a common side effect of prednisone. Note that Tezspire is prescribed to manage symptoms of severe asthma when your current asthma medications aren’t enough.

If you’re concerned about weight changes during Tezspire treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is hair loss a possible side effect of Tezspire?

No, hair loss wasn’t reported as a side effect of Tezspire in clinical trials of the drug.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns about hair loss during treatment with Tezspire.

Does Tezspire cause long-term side effects?

People who received Tezspire in clinical trials didn’t report any long-term side effects.

Most side effects you may experience should go away within a few days after receiving Tezspire. (This drug comes as a subcutaneous injection.)

Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about how long side effects may last after receiving a dose of Tezspire.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Tezspire may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Tezspire.

Injection site reaction

Tezspire is given as a subcutaneous injection by you or a healthcare professional. Injection site reactions were one of the common side effects reported in clinical trials. They are typically mild.

Symptoms of an injection reaction around the area where you receive your injection may include:

What you can do

You will receive an injection of Tezspire once every 4 weeks. You may receive your injection in your upper arm, abdomen, or thigh. To reduce the risk of a reaction, the injection site should be rotated with each injection.

Injection site reactions will typically go away on their own, though there are some steps you can take to help relieve bothersome symptoms. To help reduce swelling and pain, apply a cold compress over the site. Your doctor may also recommend an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). This can help reduce pain and inflammation.

Talk with your doctor if you experience injection site reactions that get worse over time instead of better.

Sore throat

Sore throat was commonly reported in people who received Tezspire in clinical trials. In some cases, a sore throat was caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Swelling or soreness in your throat may make it feel raw, scratchy, and painful. It may be uncomfortable to swallow or talk.

What you can do

Typically, a sore throat caused by Tezspire therapy will be temporary and ease within a couple of days. But if your sore throat is from an infection, it may last longer. You may also have other symptoms of infection, such as fever or swollen lymph nodes in your neck.

To help relieve a sore throat, it may help to suck a throat lozenge or a piece of hard candy. Drinking warm tea or broth can also help soothe symptoms of a sore throat. In some cases, using a humidifier to add moisture to the air can be helpful.

Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend additional ways to help manage a sore throat. They may suggest having a test to check whether your symptoms are due to strep throat. If you have strep throat, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Tezspire can cause an allergic reaction in some people. It’s not known how often allergic reactions occurred in clinical trials.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious. They may include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should continue treatment with Tezspire. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you start Tezspire. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Helminth infection: Tell your doctor if you currently have or recently had a helminth infection. This is a type of parasitic infection that’s caused by worms. Your doctor will need to treat the infection before you start therapy with Tezspire. If you develop a helminth infection during treatment with Tezspire, they’ll prescribe medication to treat it. In some cases, they may have you stop Tezspire therapy until the infection clears.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Tezspire or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Tezspire. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: It’s not known whether Tezspire treatment is safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding your child. Talk with your doctor before starting Tezspire if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. They can talk with you about the risks and benefits of Tezspire therapy.

Alcohol consumption: There aren’t any known interactions between Tezspire and alcohol. Talk with your doctor about whether drinking alcohol is safe for you during treatment with Tezspire.

In most cases, side effects caused by Tezspire are mild and typically go away within a few days after your injection.

If you’d like to learn more about Tezspire, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

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.