Tezepelumab

Pronunciation: tez-eh-PEL-oo-mab.

Generic name
tezepelumab
Drug class
Monoclonal antibody (anti-TSLP, thymic stromal lymphopoietin blocker)
Form
Pre-filled pen, pre-filled syringe, or vial (210 mg)
Route
Subcutaneous injection
Legal status
Prescription-only, specialist-initiated (respiratory/allergy/ENT)

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia

Australia: Tezspire (4) · Full directory

What tezepelumab is and how it works

Tezepelumab is a prescription-only injectable biologic used as an add-on maintenance treatment for severe asthma, and for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (long-term sinus inflammation with polyps) that hasn't been adequately controlled with other treatments. (1)

Tezepelumab is given as an injection under the skin every 4 weeks, alongside your other regular asthma or sinus treatments -- it is not a rescue medicine and does not treat sudden breathing difficulty.

Mechanism of action: how tezepelumab works

Tezepelumab is a human monoclonal antibody that blocks thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), an upstream signalling protein involved in the inflammatory cascade that drives severe asthma and related conditions, regardless of the patient's specific inflammatory phenotype. (1)

What tezepelumab is used for

Severe asthma

Used as an add-on maintenance treatment in people aged 12 and older with severe asthma that isn't well controlled by other treatments. It is not used to treat a sudden asthma attack. (1)

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP)

Used as an add-on maintenance treatment in adults with chronic sinus inflammation and nasal polyps that has not been adequately controlled by other treatments. (1)

Before taking tezepelumab

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not use tezepelumab if you have had a serious allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients. (all countries) (1)

Tell your clinician about

  • Any current or recent parasitic (worm) infection -- this should be treated before starting tezepelumab.
  • Whether you are due for any vaccines -- live vaccines should be avoided while on this medicine.
  • Whether you currently take steroid tablets or inhalers -- your dose of these should not be stopped suddenly when starting tezepelumab.
  • Any previous allergic reaction to a similar injectable medicine.
  • Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
(1)

How to take tezepelumab

  • Tezepelumab is given as an injection under the skin (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm) every 4 weeks.
  • It does not replace your regular reliever inhaler or other prescribed asthma/sinus treatments -- keep using those as directed unless your clinician says otherwise.
  • Any reduction in your steroid dose should be done gradually, under your clinician's supervision, not stopped abruptly.
(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Missed dose

If you miss a dose, give it as soon as possible, then continue your regular 4-weekly schedule from that new date.

Overdose

Contact your prescriber or seek medical advice if too much tezepelumab has been given. (1)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Sore throat, joint pain, and back pain.

What to notice: Sore throat, joint pain, and back pain.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

For sinus/nasal polyp treatment: cold-like symptoms, upper respiratory infections, nosebleeds, and flu.

What to notice: For sinus/nasal polyp treatment: cold-like symptoms, upper respiratory infections, nosebleeds, and flu.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Injection site reactions.

What to notice: Injection site reactions.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Serious warnings

Signs of a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) — emergency

Symptoms: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; widespread rash or hives. This can happen within hours of an injection, but sometimes appears days later.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. Your prescriber will decide whether it is safe to continue treatment. (1)

Signs of a parasitic (worm) infection — high caution

Symptoms: Unexplained abdominal pain, diarrhoea, unusual tiredness, or skin rash, particularly if you have travelled to or lived in an area where parasitic infections are common.

Action: Tell your prescriber -- any existing parasitic infection should be treated before starting, and treatment may be paused if an infection develops that doesn't respond to standard anti-parasite treatment. (1)

Interactions

  • No formal drug interaction studies have been done with tezepelumab. Tell your prescriber about all other medicines you take, including any live vaccines you may need. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

There is no human data on tezepelumab use in pregnancy. Animal studies at high exposures did not show harm to the developing baby. Discuss with your prescriber if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Breastfeeding

It is not known whether tezepelumab passes into human breast milk in meaningful amounts. Antibody medicines are generally present only in small amounts in breast milk. Discuss with your prescriber. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Children

Approved for severe asthma in patients 12 years and older; the CRSwNP indication is for adults. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Elderly

No specific dose adjustment based on age alone is described in the source reviewed. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Hepatic_impairment

Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Renal_impairment

Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Screening for pre-existing parasitic infection
  • Vaccination status review
  • Current asthma/CRSwNP treatment review

During treatment

  • Ongoing monitoring for allergic reaction symptoms after each injection, including delayed reactions.
  • Monitoring of asthma control or sinus symptoms to assess response.
  • Gradual, supervised reduction of corticosteroids if appropriate, rather than abrupt discontinuation.
(1)

Storage

Refrigerate at 36-46°F (2-8°C) in the original carton. May be kept at room temperature (68-77°F / 20-25°C) for up to 30 days, but do not put it back in the refrigerator afterward. Keep out of the reach of children.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US FDA prescribing information; verify against the current full label before prescribing.

United States

Indication: Severe asthma (12+ years) / CRSwNP (adults)

Dose summary: 210 mg SC every 4 weeks. Not for acute bronchospasm/status asthmaticus. Avoid live attenuated vaccines. Treat pre-existing helminth infection before initiation; discontinue if infection develops and does not respond to anti-helminth therapy. Do not abruptly discontinue corticosteroids upon initiation.

Renal context: Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier. (1)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier.

Overdose note

No specific antidote described in the source reviewed; manage supportively and seek prescriber guidance for suspected overdose. (1)

Frequently asked questions

Is tezepelumab (Tezspire) available in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, and Australia?

Yes, it is approved in all of these regions. New Zealand-specific approval was not found in this research and should be confirmed locally. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Can tezepelumab be used to treat a sudden asthma attack?

No. Tezepelumab is a maintenance treatment given every 4 weeks and does not work quickly enough to relieve sudden breathing difficulty. Always keep using your prescribed reliever inhaler for acute symptoms. (1)

Can I have vaccines while taking tezepelumab?

Avoid live attenuated vaccines while on tezepelumab. Talk to your prescriber about the timing of any vaccination, including for other family members who may be starting this medicine, and never stop your other asthma medicines, including corticosteroids, abruptly when starting tezepelumab -- any reduction should be gradual and supervised. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of tezepelumab?

Tezepelumab is a human monoclonal antibody that blocks thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), an upstream signalling protein involved in the inflammatory cascade that drives severe asthma and related conditions, regardless of the patient's specific inflammatory phenotype. (1)

What is the generic name of Tezepelumab?

The generic name is tezepelumab. (1)

What class of drug is tezepelumab?

Tezepelumab is classed as: Monoclonal antibody (anti-TSLP, thymic stromal lymphopoietin blocker). (1)

References

  1. TEZSPIRE (tezepelumab-ekko) -- full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information, Amgen Inc./AstraZeneca · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 1
  2. European Commission approval history for Tezspire (tezepelumab)AstraZeneca corporate press releases · European Union · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 2
  3. Tezspire 210mg solution for injection -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- AstraZeneca UK Limited · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 3
  4. TEZSPIRE -- ARTG registrationTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia · Australia · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 4
  5. Health Canada Notice of Compliance and Summary Basis of Decision for TezspireHealth Canada Drug and Health Products Portal · Canada · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 5

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient tezepelumab names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • TEZSPIRE210 mg.9mL · amgen inc

United Kingdom

  • Tezspire (3)MHRA licensed emc smpc confirmed · 210 mg · AstraZeneca UK Limited

Canada

  • Tezspire (5)Health Canada Notice of Compliance 2022-07-28 · not specified in fetched source · AstraZeneca Canada Inc.

Australia

  • Tezspire (4)TGA ARTG registered 2025-03-24 · 210 mg/1.91 mL · AstraZeneca Pty Ltd
View brands in additional countries.

European Union

Tezspire (2)