Is Tezepelumab safe for seniors with asthma and COPD?

Question

Hello doctor,

My mom is 67 and has had severe asthma for years. Her pulmonologist recently mentioned a medication called Tezspire. She also has mild COPD and uses her inhaler multiple times a day. Some nights, she struggles to sleep because of wheezing and coughing. She has tried steroids before, but they raised her blood pressure a lot.

We are looking for options that would not affect her BP or cause too many side effects. Is Tezspire safe for older adults with both asthma and COPD? How often is it taken daily or weekly? Can it be used at home, or does she need to go to a clinic? Does it still help if someone’s had asthma for many years? Are there any risks of infections or serious reactions with this medication? Please help.

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

To determine if Tezspire (Tezepelumab) is suitable, your mother should first have her serum IgE (immunoglobulin E) levels and eosinophil count checked. Tezspire is typically effective only if these values are elevated, regardless of whether COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease- a long-term lung condition that causes breathing difficulty due to blocked airflow) is also present. If both the IgE and eosinophil levels are within the normal range, Tezspire is unlikely to provide benefit.

If her eosinophil count is high, Tezspire may be helpful even in long-standing asthma (a chronic condition where the airways in the lungs become inflamed and narrow, making it hard to breathe) cases. However, it is not a daily or home-based treatment. Tezspire is given as a monthly injection and is usually administered in a healthcare setting like a hospital or clinic.

On the positive side, Tezspire has not been linked to an increased risk of infection and is generally considered safe in that regard.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.