Tepezza teprotumumab

Permanent hearing loss anxiety is the single biggest adherence-leak and conversion barrier for Tepezza, yet patients who complete all 8 infusions overwhelmingly validate the efficacy tradeoff.

• Efficacy conviction is high among completers, with proptosis, diplopia, and pain relief driving strong advocacy, but the side-effect burden causes ~20% of patients to stop early.
• Hearing impairment and potential permanence are the top fear that converts undecided patients into refusers, especially those with pre-existing hearing loss or diabetes.
• The roughly $150,000 course cost, prior authorization delays averaging 2-6 weeks, and surprise facility out-of-network bills are systemic access barriers that erode treatment initiation even after HCP recommendation.
• Subcutaneous Tepezza Phase 3 data (77% proptosis response, April 2026) is an emerging patient anticipation signal that could reset convenience expectations and re-engage prior refusers.