US researchers found patients with thyroid eye disease receiving teprotumumab (Tepezza) were 24 times more likely to suffer hearing-related impairments.

Writing in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, researchers from the School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Alabama Ophthalmology Associates reviewed patient complaints about the drug to the US Food and Drug Administration.  

A total of 940 teprotumumab-associated adverse events were identified, including 84 hearing-related adverse events. The association was specifically elevated for bilateral deafness, Eustachian tube disorders, hypoacusis or tinnitus. With indications including thyroid eye disease, authors concluded patients treated with teprotumumab should be warned about the increased risk of hearing-related impairments and receive audiometry before, during and after treatment.