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Teplizumab-mzwv (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 8, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

  • Tzield

Available Dosage Forms:

  • Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antidiabetic

Pharmacologic Class: Teplizumab

Uses for teplizumab-mzwv

Teplizumab-mzwv injection is used to delay the onset of Stage 3 type 1 diabetes in patients who have Stage 2 type 1 diabetes and who have tested positive for 2 or more type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies, have an abnormal blood sugar, and do not have type 2 diabetes.

Teplizumab-mzwv is to be given only by or under the supervision of your doctor.

Before using teplizumab-mzwv

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For teplizumab-mzwv, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to teplizumab-mzwv or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of teplizumab-mzwv injection in children younger than 8 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of teplizumab-mzwv injection in the elderly. Stage 2 type 1 diabetes is a condition that usually occurs in children and younger adults.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of teplizumab-mzwv. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Blood problems (eg, low white blood cells) or
  • Infection, chronic or serious or
  • Virus infection (eg, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus)—Use is not recommended in patients with these conditions.
  • Liver disease—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.

Proper use of teplizumab-mzwv

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you teplizumab-mzwv in a medical facility. It is given through a needle placed into a vein. It must be given slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for at least 30 minutes. Teplizumab-mzwv is given once a day for 14 days.

Teplizumab-mzwv comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Your doctor will give you other medicines (eg, an NSAID or acetaminophen, allergy medicine, and medicine to prevent nausea or vomiting) for the first 5 days of treatment to help reduce the side effects.

Missed dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Precautions while using teplizumab-mzwv

It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely to make sure teplizumab-mzwv is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using teplizumab-mzwv while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. You should not receive teplizumab-mzwv if you are pregnant and for at least 30 days before a planned pregnancy. If you think you have become pregnant while using teplizumab-mzwv, tell your doctor right away.

Teplizumab-mzwv may cause cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Tell your doctor right away if you have fever, chills, headache, nausea, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, skin rash, trouble breathing, or tiredness or weakness.

Teplizumab-mzwv may cause serious infections. Check with your doctor right away if you have accumulation of pus, chest pain or tightness, confusion, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, fast heartbeat, fever or chills, itching, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on the skin, lightheadedness, loss of appetite, nausea, sneezing, stomach pain, swollen, red, tender area of infection, trouble breathing, or weakness.

Teplizumab-mzwv lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers. Teplizumab-mzwv lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.

Teplizumab-mzwv may cause serious allergic reactions (eg, serum sickness, angioedema). Check with your doctor right away if you have chest tightness, cough, difficulty breathing, feeling of discomfort, fever, inflammation of joints, hives, itching, or skin rash, large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs, muscle aches, rash, swollen lymph glands, or vomiting.

While you are being treated with teplizumab-mzwv injection, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) without your doctor's approval. Live virus vaccines should not be given for at least 8 weeks before start of treatment, during treatment, or up to 52 weeks after treatment. Non-live vaccines should not be given for at least 2 weeks before start of treatment, during treatment, or 6 weeks after treatment.

Teplizumab-mzwv side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

  • Black, tarry stools
  • bleeding gums
  • blood in the urine or stools
  • chest pain or tightness
  • cough or hoarseness
  • dizziness
  • fever or chills
  • headache
  • itching, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on the skin
  • loss of appetite
  • lower back or side pain
  • muscle aches or pain
  • nausea
  • painful or difficult urination
  • pale skin
  • pinpoint red spots on the skin
  • rash
  • red, tender, or oozing skin at the incision
  • sneezing
  • sore throat
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
  • stomach pain
  • stuffy or runny nose
  • swollen glands
  • trouble breathing
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

  • Diarrhea
  • difficulty swallowing
  • faintness
  • fast heartbeat
  • general feeling of discomfort or illness
  • joint pain or swelling
  • muscle pain
  • puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  • vomiting

Rare

  • Large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More about teplizumab

Patient resources

Other brands

Tzield

Professional resources

Related treatment guides

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.