An anti-TSLP antibody injection for severe asthma
Tezepelumab
A regular injection used as an add-on treatment to help control severe asthma in people whose symptoms are not controlled by their usual inhalers.
What is Tezepelumab?
Tezepelumab is a specialist biologic medicine used as an add-on treatment for severe asthma that is not well controlled by usual inhaled treatment. It is an antibody given as a regular injection under the skin that blocks a signalling protein called TSLP, which sits high up in the chain of events that drives asthma inflammation, helping to reduce flare-ups. It is a preventer, not a rescue treatment, so it does not treat a sudden asthma attack and people must keep using their reliever inhaler and emergency plan. Injection-site reactions and allergic-type reactions can happen, parasitic infections should be checked first, and live vaccines are generally avoided.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Tezepelumab — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Tezepelumab is a biologic medicine, a type of antibody, used as an add-on treatment for severe asthma that remains poorly controlled despite usual inhaled treatment. It works on the underlying inflammation that causes asthma symptoms and attacks, aiming to reduce how often flare-ups happen and to improve day-to-day control. It is given as a regular injection under the skin, often once the person or a carer has been trained, and is prescribed and supervised by a specialist asthma service. It is used alongside, not instead of, the person's usual asthma medicines.
How it works
Tezepelumab blocks a protein called thymic stromal lymphopoietin, or TSLP, which the airways release in response to triggers and which sits near the top of the chain of events that drives asthma inflammation. By switching off this early signal, it dampens several different types of inflammation that narrow and irritate the airways, which helps reduce flare-ups and improve control over time. Because it works steadily in the background, it is given on a regular schedule as a preventer rather than as something to use during an attack. It does not open the airways quickly, so a reliever inhaler is still needed for sudden symptoms.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist biologic injection used in the UK to help control severe asthma that is not well controlled by usual inhaled treatment.
What it treats
Conditions Tezepelumab is used for
Practical use
How to take Tezepelumab
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Use it on the regular schedule your specialist team sets, injecting it under the skin as you have been trained.
- Keep using all your usual asthma medicines, including your preventer and reliever inhalers, as this is an add-on treatment.
- Never use it to treat a sudden asthma attack; use your reliever and emergency plan and seek urgent help instead.
- Tell your team about recent travel or symptoms that might suggest a parasitic infection before starting.
- Check with your team before having any vaccinations, as live vaccines are generally avoided while on it.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Tezepelumab
Advantages
- Can reduce how often severe asthma flare-ups happen when usual inhalers are not enough.
- Works high up in the inflammation pathway, so it can help a broad range of severe asthma.
- Can be given as an injection at home after training, on a regular schedule.
Disadvantages
- Is a preventer only and does not treat a sudden asthma attack.
- Commonly causes reactions where the injection is given, and allergic-type reactions can occur.
- Needs specialist supervision, regular injections, and checks such as for parasitic infection.
Practical use
Good to know
The most important thing to understand is that tezepelumab is a preventer that works in the background: it is not a rescue treatment and does nothing for a sudden asthma attack, so you must keep using your reliever inhaler and your written asthma plan, and seek urgent help if your breathing suddenly worsens. It is given as a regular injection under the skin, and many people or their carers are trained to do this at home. The most common side effects are reactions where the injection is given, such as redness or soreness, and sometimes sore throat or joint aches. Allergic-type reactions can happen, so any rash, swelling or difficulty breathing after an injection should be reported. Because the protein it blocks also helps the body fight certain parasites, a parasitic (worm) infection is usually checked for and treated before starting, and live vaccines are generally avoided while on it. The specialist team reviews how well it is working over time.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to tezepelumab should not use it.
- It is not suitable for treating a sudden asthma attack or other acute breathing problems.
- It is used with care in people with a parasitic infection, which is usually treated first, and live vaccines are generally avoided.
Monitoring
- Reviewing how often asthma flare-ups happen and how well symptoms are controlled.
- Checking for and treating any parasitic infection before and during treatment as needed.
- Watching for allergic-type or injection-site reactions over time.
Side effects
- Redness, soreness or swelling where the injection is given.
- Sore throat, joint aches or headache in some people.
- Less commonly, allergic-type reactions such as rash or swelling, which should be reported.
Key interactions
- Live vaccines are generally avoided while using it, so check before any vaccination.
- There are few well-established routine medicine interactions, but tell your team about everything you take.
- It is used alongside, not instead of, your usual asthma medicines.
Available as: A solution for injection under the skin, often given by the patient or a carer.
Answers
Tezepelumab: frequently asked questions
What is tezepelumab used for?
It is used as an add-on treatment for severe asthma that is not well controlled by usual inhalers, working on the inflammation that drives asthma to reduce flare-ups.
Can I use it during an asthma attack?
No. It is a preventer that works in the background and does nothing for a sudden attack, so keep using your reliever inhaler and emergency plan and seek urgent help if your breathing worsens.
Why do I need to be checked for a parasitic infection?
The protein tezepelumab blocks also helps fight certain parasites, so a worm infection is usually checked for and treated before you start.
Can I have my vaccinations as normal?
Live vaccines are generally avoided while on tezepelumab, so check with your specialist team before having any vaccination.
Will the injection cause a reaction?
Redness or soreness where the injection is given is the most common side effect; tell your team about any rash, swelling or breathing problems after an injection.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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