TEPEZZA TREATMENT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND LAS VEGAS
Do red, bulging eyes stop you from feeling confident in your own skin? If you struggle with bulging eyes as a result of thyroid eye disease, Raymond Douglas, MD, PhD, has the right treatment for you at his office in Beverly Hills, California. A world-renowned oculofacial plastic surgeon, Dr. Douglas was heavily involved in the development of TEPEZZA — an FDA-approved breakthrough medication for those with thyroid eye disease. To learn more, call Dr. Raymond Douglas, MD, PhD, or book an appointment online today.
Raymond Douglas, MD, PhD
Who is TEPEZZA for?
TEPEZZA may be considered for patients with Thyroid Eye Disease. Candidates under the age of 18 should consult with Dr. Douglas to be evaluated for treatment.
What Symptoms of Thyroid Eye Disease and Graves’ Does Tepezza Treat?
TEPEZZA addresses the physical signs and symptoms of Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) including reduction of proptosis (eye bulging), extra-ocular muscle size, mis-aligned eyes (strabismus), pain, redness, double vision and blurry vision. In many cases, TEPEZZA has demonstrated the ability to reverse TED almost entirely.
What is a Tepezza Specialist?
A Tepezza specialist is an eye doctor, usually an oculoplastic surgeon, neuro-ophthalmologist, or another ophthalmologist with experience treating Thyroid Eye Disease (TED). These specialists understand how TED causes inflammation and tissue changes behind the eyes and are trained to administer Tepezza safely. While endocrinologists manage thyroid hormone levels, they do not typically treat the eye symptoms of TED. For this reason, seeing a Tepezza specialist is crucial for patients who want targeted care for their vision and eye health.
How Tepezza Works
Tepezza (teprotumumab-trbw) is the first FDA-approved treatment developed specifically for TED. It works by blocking the Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), a protein found in excess on the tissues behind the eyes in patients with TED. When activated, IGF-1R drives inflammation and tissue expansion, causing the bulging and discomfort that many patients experience. By blocking this receptor, Tepezza helps reduce swelling, improve eye alignment, and relieve pain. Unlike older treatments, which focused only on suppressing inflammation, Tepezza targets the root mechanism of the disease.
Who Can Provide Tepezza Treatment?
Several specialists may provide Tepezza for TED depending on the severity and symptoms. Oculoplastic surgeons are often the most involved, given their expertise in orbital and eyelid changes. Neuro-ophthalmologists play a key role when TED affects the optic nerve or eye movement. Strabismus surgeons may treat patients whose eyes have become misaligned, and some comprehensive ophthalmologists with TED experience may also offer the medication. Choosing a doctor with direct TED expertise ensures that the treatment is both safe and effective.
The Tepezza Infusion Process
Tepezza is delivered through an intravenous (IV) infusion, typically in an outpatient setting. Patients receive one infusion every three weeks, with a total of eight treatments over about five months. Each session lasts about 90 minutes, though the first infusion may take slightly longer as your care team monitors how you respond. Infusions can take place at a hospital, an infusion center, or in some cases at home with a trained professional. Many patients begin to notice improvements in eye bulging or vision after just two to three treatments, though completing the full series is recommended for lasting results.
Effectiveness of Tepezza
In clinical studies, Tepezza demonstrated impressive results. More than 80% of patients treated with Tepezza saw a meaningful reduction in eye bulging, compared to just 10% of those on placebo. Nearly 70% of patients also reported improvement in double vision, which is one of the most debilitating aspects of TED. These outcomes have made Tepezza a groundbreaking therapy, offering many patients a non-surgical alternative that addresses both the physical changes and the discomfort caused by TED.
Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, Tepezza can cause side effects. The most common include muscle cramps, nausea, fatigue, changes in hearing, and increased blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes. Most side effects are mild to moderate and are carefully monitored throughout the treatment process. For many patients, the benefits of reduced eye bulging, improved vision, and relief from pain far outweigh the risks, but it is important to discuss these details with your specialist before starting therapy.
WHERE CAN I GET TEPEZZA Treatment?
At this time TEPEZZA is only approved for use in the United States. Our treatment center is located in Los Angeles, California and is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Douglas and his team have been the leaders in all clinical trials using TEPEZZA, as well as instrumental collaborators in its scientific development. It is safe to say that no one has more experience administering TEPEZZA than Dr. Douglas!
BEFORE AND AFTER TEPEZZA INFUSIONS
This patient has completed 2/8 infusions (about 6 weeks into treatment) and is looking and feeling great.
“Thyroid Eye Disease is a horrible disease. First infusion December 13th vs. final infusion May 8th. This has affected every area of my life from self-esteem and confidence to mood swings and social interaction just to name a few. Tepezza is such a game changer. I can’t say enough good things about it. Very little side effects and tremendous results…They have the best staff and I could never thank them enough!”
This patient just finished her last infusion of TEPEZZA! It’s been hugely successful for her — the pictures speak for themselves!
“Thyroid Eye Disease is a horrible disease. First infusion December 13th vs. final infusion May 8th. This has affected every area of my life from self-esteem and confidence to mood swings and social interaction just to name a few. Tepezza is such a game changer. I can’t say enough good things about it. Very little side effects and tremendous results…They have the best staff and I could never thank them enough!”
TEPEZZA FAQ
Yes. In clinical trials, TEPEZZA has been shown to improve overall quality of life, decreasing eye bulging, pain and double vision. TEPEZZA may still benefit patients that have had previous surgeries on their eyes or thyroid.
TEPEZZA is the first FDA-approved therapy for Thyroid Eye Disease that is covered by insurance. Please contact our treatment center to have one of our experts guide you in navigating the insurance process. There are also several assistance programs available to those who qualify. We have a specialized care team to help make this treatment a reality!
A consultation is necessary to start treatment with TEPEZZA. If you do not live in the Los Angeles area, a virtual video consult may be appropriate. In fact, most patients were screened using video consultations. Please contact our treatment center to schedule an in-person or virtual consultation with Dr. Douglas.
We are currently working on bringing an infusion center near you. However, many out of town patients travel to our center to undergo treatment with TEPEZZA. The procedure does not require any down time and most patients are able to travel home the same day. A trip to the center approximately every 3 weeks during the 24-week treatment period is necessary.
The infusion of TEPEZZA takes about one hour. Infusions must be repeated approximately every 3 weeks during the 24-week treatment period.
Patients documented seeing results within 6 weeks of starting treatment with TEPEZZA (2 infusions).
TEPEZZA is administered via intravenous drip (IV). Most patients report the infusion process as being very easy, similar to getting a routine lab test. Dr. Douglas helped develop TEPEZZA and has more experience infusing the drug than anyone else.
TEPEZZA has been studied in approximately 700 patients. Side effects of TEPEZZA are mild and generally very well tolerated. Short-term side effects may include muscle cramping (such as in the calves), diarrhea, nausea, headaches, dry skin, fatigue, dizziness, cough, alopecia and abdominal pain.
For most patients all 8 treatments are required to prevent symptom relapse.
TEPEZZA is not for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or those who plan to become pregnant within 6 months of treatment.
TEPEZZA is a non-surgical alternative for treatment of Thyroid Eye Disease. The average final results are comparable to corrective surgery (such as orbital decompression) with analogous, lasting results. For many patients, treatment with TEPEZZA eliminates the need for surgical intervention.
Yes. TEPEZZA can be used on those who have no thyroid or a thyroid that has been treated.
A consult with Dr. Douglas is necessary to determine whether TEPEZZA or decompression surgery is the best course of treatment.
For more information about TEPEZZA, see HERE.
Endocrinologists focus on treating thyroid hormone disorders, while Tepezza specialists are eye doctors with experience in TED. They understand how TED affects the eyes and are trained to administer Tepezza safely.
Unlike steroids and surgery, which manage symptoms temporarily or after the disease progresses, Tepezza directly targets the root cause of TED at the molecular level. This allows many patients to avoid or delay surgery. Steroids are also not meant to be a definitive lasting therapy like Tepezza.
Most patients receive infusions in a hospital or outpatient infusion center. Some may qualify for at-home infusion with a trained nurse.
In clinical trials, over 80% of patients experienced reduced eye bulging, and nearly 70% saw improvements in double vision. Many patients report noticeable results after the second or third infusion.
Side effects can include muscle cramps, fatigue, hearing changes, or elevated blood sugar. Most are temporary and managed by your care team.
Many patients maintain their results after completing the eight-infusion series, but ongoing monitoring with your eye specialist is recommended.
English 
Spanish