How long does tezepelumab treatment need to be for smell improvement?

Tezepelumab helps restore the sense of smell in adults with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Research shows that improvements in smell scores are detectable as early as seven days after starting the drug. These benefits continue to build over time, with significant gains seen at four weeks and sustained through 52 weeks of use.

What the research says

In a large phase 3 trial called WAYPOINT, patients receiving tezepelumab showed better smell scores than those on placebo starting at week 4 ¹. The study measured changes in daily diary scores and standardized smell tests over a full year. Improvements in daily loss of smell scores were evident from day 7 of treatment ¹.

By week 52, the difference in smell scores between the tezepelumab group and the placebo group was substantial ¹. The trial involved 408 adults with uncontrolled disease who received the drug every four weeks for 52 weeks ¹. This duration allowed researchers to confirm that the treatment maintains its effect on smell over a long period.

Other reviews note that tezepelumab reduces the need for surgery and lowers inflammation markers, which supports overall symptom control including smell ⁵⁶. While some studies focus on lung function or polyp size, the specific data on smell recovery confirms that the drug works quickly and lasts for a year ¹⁶.

What to ask your doctor

• How soon after starting tezepelumab should I expect to notice a change in my sense of smell?
• What specific smell tests will you use to track my progress over the next few months?
• Is 52 weeks of treatment the standard duration, or might I need to continue longer?
• How does tezepelumab compare to other biologics for restoring smell in my specific case?