Talvey (talquetamab-tgvs) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat multiple myeloma. The drug is a liquid solution for injecting under the skin. After initial doses, you receive injections every 1 or 2 weeks.
Talvey is used in adults to treat relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.* It’s used after completion of at least four other treatments. These include:
* “Relapsed” means the cancer has returned after showing signs of improvement and decreased symptoms. “Refractory” means the cancer has not responded to treatment.
The active ingredient in Talvey is talquetamab-tgvs. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Talvey belongs to a group of drugs called bispecific antibodies, which is a type of immune therapy.
This article describes the dosages of Talvey, as well as its strengths and how it’s given. To learn more about Talvey, see this in-depth article.
This section describes the usual dosages of Talvey. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Talvey’s form?
Talvey is available as a liquid solution that you receive as an injection under your skin.
What strengths does Talvey come in?
Talvey comes in two strengths:
- 3 milligrams (mg) per 1.5 milliliters (mL) of liquid solution
- 40 mg/mL of liquid solution
What are the usual dosages of Talvey?
Your doctor likely will start you on a low dosage of Talvey. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. All doses depend on your weight.
Treatment begins with a low dosage that is increased gradually and given more frequently. This is step-up dosing. By beginning with lower doses, your doctor can see how your body reacts to Talvey.
After step-up doses and your first treatment dose, you’ll receive maintenance treatment with Talvey. This helps manage your condition. You receive maintenance doses either weekly or every 2 weeks.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for multiple myeloma
The tables below show Talvey’s dosage for treating relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. All doses are in milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) and are based on your weight in kg. For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
Step-up doses and then treatment doses weekly
| Day | Dose type | Dose | Example: dose for person weighing 90 kg (about 198 lb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | step-up dose 1 | 0.01 mg/kg | 0.9 mg |
| 4 | step-up dose 2 | 0.06 mg/kg | 5.4 mg |
| 7 | first treatment dose | 0.4 mg/kg | 36 mg |
| — | maintenance treatment doses | 0.4 mg/kg once per week | 36 mg |
Step-up doses and then treatment doses every 2 weeks
| Day | Dose type | Dose | Example: dose for person weighing 90 kg (about 198 lb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | step-up dose 1 | 0.01 mg/kg | 0.9 mg |
| 4 | step-up dose 2 | 0.06 mg/kg | 5.4 mg |
| 7 | step-up dose 3 | 0.4 mg/kg | 36 mg |
| 10 | first treatment dose | 0.8 mg/kg | 72 mg |
| — | maintenance treatment doses | 0.8 mg/kg once every 2 weeks | 72 mg |
You’ll receive Talvey doses from a specially trained healthcare professional. They’ll be given in a facility approved by the risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) program.
You’ll likely need to stay in the hospital for 48 hours after receiving each step-up dose. This is due to the risks of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and serious neurologic damage.
Before your Talvey injections, you’ll receive pretreatment medications to lower your risk of serious side effects. Typically you’ll receive these 1–3 hours before your injection. Pretreatment medications include:
- a corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone
- a fever reducer, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
If you have questions about your dosage of Talvey, talk with your doctor.
Is Talvey used long term?
Yes, Talvey is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.
The dosage of Talvey your doctor prescribes may depend on several factors. These include:
- the severity of the condition the drug is treating
- body weight
- other medications you may be taking
Before your Talvey injections, you’ll receive pretreatment medications to lower your risk of serious side effects. Typically you’ll receive these 1–3 hours before your injection. Pretreatment medications include:
- a corticosteroid (dexamethasone)
- a fever reducer such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
You’ll receive injections of Talvey under your skin. A specially trained healthcare professional will inject your Talvey doses. You’ll receive them in a facility approved by the REMS program.
After receiving each initial step-up dose, you’ll likely need to stay in the hospital for 48 hours. This is due to the risks of CRS and serious neurologic damage.
If you have questions about how you’ll receive Talvey, talk with your doctor.
If you miss an appointment to receive a dose of Talvey, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They can inject your missed dose and get you back on track with your dosing schedule.
If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Talvey’s dosage.
Is Talvey’s dosage similar to the dosages of Tecvayli?
The forms of both drugs and how they work are similar. Talvey (talquetamab-tgvs) and Tecvayli (teclistamab-cqyv) both are biologic medications made from living cells. And both are used to treat multiple myeloma. A healthcare professional gives injections of both drugs (liquid solution) by injection under your skin.
The dose in milligrams of each drug differs. But the dosage of both drugs is based on your body weight and uses a step-up dosing schedule.
Talvey comes in two strengths: 3 milligrams (mg)/1.5 milliliter (mL) of solution and 40 mg/mL of solution. Tecvayli also comes in two strengths: 30 mg/3 mL of solution and 153 mg/1.7 mL of solution.
Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
How long does it take for Talvey to start working?
Studies of Talvey reported it takes about 1 month after treatment starts for Talvey to begin working. Your response depends on the severity of your condition and how you respond to Talvey. Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working for your condition.
If you have other questions about what to expect from your Talvey treatment, talk with your doctor.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by Talvey’s drugmaker. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- If I lose weight, will my weekly maintenance dosage of Talvey be changed?
- Will you lower my dosage if I have serious side effects from Talvey?
- Can my dosage be increased if Talvey isn’t working to treat my condition?
To learn more about Talvey, see these articles:
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.