Tepezza is an FDA-approved drug used to treat people with symptoms of thyroid eye disease (TED) and was the first medication approved for TED by the agency. Unfortunately, one possible Tepezza side effect is hearing loss and even the official website for the drug lists hearing impairment as a potential adverse reaction.
Tepezza and Hearing Loss
On the Tepezza website, hearing impairment as an adverse reaction to the drug reportedly occurred in 10 percent of patients.
However, a 2021 study found that patients taking Tepezza were at a 65 percent higher risk for developing temporary or permanent hearing issues, and there are now major Tepezza lawsuits being filed following this finding.
For example, in 2022, a product liability case was filed against Horizon Pharmaceuticals Inc. on behalf of Daniel Weibel. His case claims Horizon Pharmaceuticals “willfully, wantonly and intentionally conspired, and acted in concert, to ignore relevant safety concerns and to deliberately not study the safety and efficacy of Tepezza.” He alleges that he “suffered physical pain, mental anguish, medical expenses, and a diminished quality of life,” as a result of Horizon Pharmaceuticals’ negligence.
So, should you be concerned if you took or are taking Tepezza?
Tepezza Side Effects
According to the official Tepezza website, “the most common side effects of TEPEZZA include muscle cramps or spasms, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, feeling tired, high blood sugar, hearing problems, taste changes, headache, dry skin, weight loss, nail problems, and changes in menstruation.”
But just because those are the most common side effects, doesn’t mean they are the only side effects of taking Tepezza.
In two clinical trials conducted before the FDA approval of the drug, “otologic symptoms were reported in 10 percent of patients,” according to the Endocrine Society and a study presented virtually at ENDO 2021, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting. The rate of otologic symptoms, or issues concerning the anatomy and physiology of the ear, could actually be as high as 65 percent, according to that study.
Do You Need a Tepezza Lawsuit Attorney?
If you think you might need an attorney to pursue legal action for a potential Tepezza lawsuit, there’s still time to retain one. There haven’t been any settlements for current cases, and attorneys are still accepting cases.
Permanent hearing loss can be an extremely debilitating condition. It can take a toll on a person’s ability to work or perform basic tasks and have an impact on their health, mental health, and quality of life.
If you believe that you or a loved one may have suffered hearing loss after taking Tepezza, please give the team at Phillips Law Group a call. You may be entitled to compensation, and our firm can do a free, no-obligation review of your case. Contact us without delay to learn more!