FDA Approves Tezspire for Severe Asthma
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Key takeaways:
Asthma affects millions of children and adults in the U.S. to some degree. But many people have severe symptoms that interfere with daily life.
Many medications help treat and control asthma symptoms, including some biologic medications.
In December 2021, the FDA approved Tezspire (tezepelumab-ekko). It’s a biologic maintenance medication that treats any type of severe asthma
Asthma is very common — it affects millions of children and adults in the U.S. People with asthma have swollen airways in their lungs. This often leads to wheezing, coughing, and breathing troubles.
But everyone experiences asthma differently. Perhaps you or a loved one have minimal symptoms. Or, maybe, your symptoms bother you every once in a while. But if you have severe asthma that interferes with your daily life, you’re not alone. About 5% to 10% of people living with asthma have severe symptoms that persist over time.
Fortunately, many medications are available to control and relieve these symptoms. And if you have severe asthma, you’ll have another treatment option available soon. In December 2021, the FDA approved Tezspire (tezepelumab-ekko) as a new maintenance medication to treat severe asthma.
Here, we’ll talk about Tezspire — what it is, its effectiveness, and side effects you can expect.
What is Tezspire?
Tezspire (tezepelumab-ekko) is an FDA-approved biologic medication that’s injected under your skin by a healthcare provider. A biologic medication is made from natural sources, like sugars, proteins, and tissues. People ages 12 and older use Tezspire to control severe asthma symptoms. It’s also the first medication to treat severe asthma regardless of what's causing it.
The FDA approved Teszpire as an add-on option. This means that it shouldn’t be used by itself. It should be used in combination with other standard-of-care (SoC) asthma medications. SoC medications to control your asthma over time may include:
A medium or high-dose steroid inhaler to lessen airway inflammation (swelling), like budesonide (Pulmicort)
A controller inhaler to relax the airways, like salmeterol (Serevent)
A combination inhaler that has steroid and controller medications, like budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort)
Another controller inhaler that can help relax the airways, like tiotropium (Spiriva Respimat)
Tezspire isn't like these SoC asthma medications. It’s a unique treatment option that works a little differently. More on this next.
How does Tezspire work to treat severe asthma?
Tezspire works by binding to a protein called thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). TSLP causes airway swelling when you’re exposed to certain triggers. These include allergens or viral infections. By attaching to TSLP, Tezpire prevents airway swelling and lowers the chances of having an asthma attack.
How is Tezspire dosed?
To receive a Tezspire injection, you’ll need to visit your healthcare provider every 4 weeks. Your healthcare provider will inject one dose (210 mg) of the medication under your skin in your upper arm, thigh, or stomach.
How effective is Tezspire?
There are several ways to determine the effectiveness of an asthma medication. Experts generally consider a medication to be effective if it controls airway swelling. Less swollen airways help improve asthma symptoms and lower the chances of having an asthma attack.
In a key study that led to Tezspire’s FDA approval, researchers found that people with severe asthma can benefit from Tezspire. This was regardless of the cause of a person's asthma. In fact, in the study, it lowered the risk of asthma attacks by more than 70%.
How does Tezspire compare to other biologics used for severe asthma?
Tezspire is a new biologic medication for severe asthma, but it’s not the only one. In addition to Tezspire, other biologics for severe asthma include:
Xolair (omalizumab): Xolair works by stopping immunoglobulin E (IgE) proteins from binding to their receptors (chemical binding sites). This can help improve asthma symptoms while lowering the odds of having an asthma attack.
Interleukin antagonists: Interleukin antagonists attach to interleukins (proteins) in your body and prevent them from binding to their receptors. These medications can lead to better lung function and less asthma symptoms. Nucala (mepolizumab) and Cinqair (reslizumab) are two examples.
Interleukin receptor antagonists: Interleukin receptor antagonists also improve lung function and asthma symptoms. They work by attaching to the interleukin receptor itself. Fasenra (benralizumab) and Dupixent (dupilumab) are two examples.
While biologics like these are already available to treat severe asthma, there’s a chance they may not meet your specific needs. Various factors — like having high eosinophil levels — determine the ideal biologic to use. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that can cause inflammation. These factors limit the number of medications that you may be eligible to take.
Tezspire is the only asthma medication that can treat any severe asthma type. Its use doesn’t rely on certain qualifications, such as the amount of eosinophils that you have. Tezspire’s approval is also noteworthy because it’s the first and only TSLP-targeting asthma biologic.
What are the known side effects of Tezspire?
Some common side effects of Tezspire can include:
Back pain
Joint stiffness or pain
Pain and swelling at injection site
Sore throat
Tezspire can also cause severe allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms may include rash, breathing problems, or swollen and red eyes. If you’re having a life-threatening allergic reaction, call 911 or seek medical help right away.
Does Tezspire interact with other medications?
There’s limited information available about drug interactions between Tezspire and other medications. However, if you’re receiving Tezspire, it’s recommended to avoid live vaccines because they haven’t been studied together. Using live vaccines with medications like Tezspire may lead to an infection. An example of a live vaccine is the nasal flu vaccine (FluMist).
How much will Tezspire cost?
Tezspire is a brand-name injection. And it won't be available at local retail pharmacies. So, it'll likely be expensive without insurance coverage. But the specific cost hasn’t been publicly announced yet.
If cost is a concern, Tezspire’s manufacturer offers a copay program for people with commercial insurance. This copay program can help you access Tezspire for little-to-no cost. To see if you qualify, contact AstraZeneca (Tezspire’s manufacturer) at 1-888-897-7473 or visit them online.
When will Tezspire be available?
In January 2022, AstraZeneca announced that Tezspire is ready for distribution in the U.S. So you should be able to access it soon if your healthcare provider recommends it for you.
If you have severe asthma and you’re interested in Tezspire, talk with your healthcare provider. They can tell you more about this new medication and if you should get it or not.
The bottom line
The FDA approved Tezspire in December 2021. It’s the first and only asthma medication that can treat any type of severe asthma. But as of now, its specific cost hasn’t been announced. If you have questions or concerns about Tezspire, it's recommended to talk to your healthcare provider for more information.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ross earned her doctorate in pharmacy (PharmD) at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin). Her years of experience practicing in various pharmacy settings also lead to multiple board certifications, including ambulatory care, geriatrics, and pharmacotherapy. She currently serves as the director of the PharmacyChecker international verification program.
Ross also founded Off Script Consults, a pharmacy consulting business. She strives to combine her passion for pharmacy, education, and writing to improve the quality of life and financial outcomes for people with chronic medical conditions, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
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Ross currently resides with her husband and two dogs in her home state of Texas to be closer to family. She also tries to find time for hobbies, which include rock climbing, running, and playing pickle ball.
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