[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Biologics for asthma](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/biologics-for-asthma/) › Tezepelumab

# Tezepelumab

## Biologics for asthma?

Biologics for asthma

An antibody against the epithelial alarmin TSLP, an add-on for severe asthma that also helps when eosinophils are not raised.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Biologics for asthma](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/biologics-for-asthma/)

**Target**
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)

**Used for**
Severe asthma

**Key effects**
Injection-site pain · Sore throat · Joint or back pain

**Monitor**
Exacerbations · Allergic reactions after injections

**ATC**
R03DX11

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

◆**Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)**Tezepelumab

ⓘ The figure shows human TSLP bound to the Fab fragment of tezepelumab (crystal structure).

**Target in 3D:** Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). PDB structure 5J13 (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/5J13) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an alarmin released by airway epithelial cells, with higher expression in asthma, especially severe asthma. It sits upstream of type 2 inflammation and switches on Th2 and ILC2 cells. Tezepelumab, a human monoclonal antibody, binds TSLP and blocks it from reaching its receptor. Downstream IL-5 and IL-4/IL-13 effects fall (fewer blood eosinophils, lower exhaled nitric oxide), and it also acts in asthma without a type 2 profile.

- Airway epithelium releases TSLP, more so in severe asthma
- Tezepelumab binds TSLP and blocks its receptor
- Type 2 cytokines (IL-5, IL-4, IL-13) and others fall
- Exacerbations fall, with or without high eosinophils

## Indications

- Severe asthma, as add-on maintenance from twelve years of age, regardless of phenotype [Asthma →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/asthma/)
- Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps [Chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/chronic-rhinosinusitis-and-nasal-polyps/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Injection-site pain, redness or swelling
- Sore throat
- Joint or back pain

### Serious (rare, important)

- Hypersensitivity reactions: rash, hives, breathing difficulty, swelling of the face or throat, fainting
- Red, itchy, swollen or inflamed eyes

## Contraindications

- Hypersensitivity to tezepelumab
- Not for an acute asthma attack
- A worm (helminth) infection is treated first

## Key interactions

**Live attenuated vaccines**
Avoided during treatment; vaccines are discussed with the doctor first

**Corticosteroids**
Are reduced gradually, if appropriate, not stopped abruptly

## What is monitored

- Exacerbations and oral corticosteroid use
- Allergic reactions after injections
- Eye symptoms

## Administration and safety

- Subcutaneous injection into the upper arm, thigh or abdomen, by staff or at home with a prefilled pen after training
- Stored in the refrigerator, not frozen or shaken; once kept at room temperature it is not returned to the refrigerator

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Data in pregnancy are limited; antibodies cross the placenta, and use is decided with the specialist.

## Nursing care

- Ask about worm infections and planned vaccinations before starting
- Teach the signs of an allergic reaction
- Remind that it does not treat an attack: the rescue inhaler is still needed
- Teach correct storage of the pen

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Subcutaneous injection

**Elimination**
Broken down like other antibodies (proteolysis)

## Memory aid

TEZE hits the TOP: TSLP is upstream, so it works even without eosinophils.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which cytokine does tezepelumab block?

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), an epithelial alarmin.

## Why can tezepelumab help patients without raised eosinophils?

TSLP sits upstream of several inflammatory pathways, not only type 2.

## Which vaccines are avoided during tezepelumab treatment?

Live attenuated vaccines.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/tezepelumab/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 4

- [Mepolizumab](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/mepolizumab/)
- [Benralizumab](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/benralizumab/)
- [Dupilumab](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/dupilumab/)
- [Omalizumab](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/omalizumab/)

## Related conditions 2

- [Asthma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/asthma/)
- [Chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/chronic-rhinosinusitis-and-nasal-polyps/)

[← Back to the class: Biologics for asthma](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/biologics-for-asthma/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Tezepelumab Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a622010.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [RCSB PDB - 5J13: Structural basis for TSLP antagonism by the therapeutic antibody Tezepelumab (MEDI9929 / AMG-157)](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/5J13) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2017); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=R03DX11) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/tezepelumab/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/tezepelumab/