Talvey (talquetamab-tgvs) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for multiple myeloma in some adults. Talvey comes as a liquid solution for injection that’s typically given by a healthcare professional. The dosage can vary, depending on your body weight.
Talvey is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:
- multiple myeloma when certain other treatments haven’t worked. (Typically, adults who receive Talvey have tried four other medications before starting it).
Talvey belongs to a drug class called bispecific antibodies, which is a type of immunotherapy. Talvey isn’t available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Talvey, including its strengths and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Talvey, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Talvey provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Talvey dosage that’s right for you.
Talvey dosage
Read below for recommended dosages of Talvey and other details about the drug.
Talvey form
Talvey comes as a solution that’s given as a subcutaneous injection. It’s always given by a healthcare professional.
Talvey strengths
Talvey comes in two strengths: 2 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) and 40 mg/mL. Both strengths are available as single-dose vials.
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will start by prescribing you a low dosage based on your body weight. Then, they’ll adjust it every few days during your first week of treatment using a “step-up” dosing schedule.
Step-up dosing is a dosing schedule that slowly increases your dosage over time to reach your target maintenance dose. Slowly increasing your dose helps reduce the risk of serious side effects, including cytokine release syndrome.
Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used in adults. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for multiple myeloma
Doctors may prescribe Talvey to treat multiple myeloma when certain other treatments haven’t worked. (Typically, adults who receive Talvey have tried four other medications before starting it).
Talvey is often given with other drugs on your treatment day to help reduce side effects. These may include a corticosteroid, an antihistamine, and a fever reducer.
If your doctor prescribes Talvey for your multiple myeloma, they’ll calculate your exact dose based on your body weight in kilograms (kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
Talvey is typically started using a “step-up” dosing schedule. Step-up dosing is a dosing schedule that slowly increases your dosage over time to reach your target maintenance dose. Slowly increasing your dose helps reduce the risk of serious side effects, including cytokine release syndrome.
Once you complete your step-up dosage schedule, your maintenance dosage will likely be given weekly or biweekly.
If you’re on a weekly dosing schedule: Your starting dose will likely be 0.01 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg). Typically, you’ll take this dose on the first day of your treatment. On day 4 of your treatment plan, your doctor may recommend increasing your dosage to 0.06 mg/kg. Then, on day 7, you’ll likely step up your dosage again to 0.4 mg/kg. This is also the typical recommended weekly maintenance dosage of Talvey for people on a weekly dosage schedule.
If you’re on a biweekly dosing schedule: You’ll follow the above step-up dosing schedule, but on day 10 of your therapy, you’ll have an additional step up to 0.8 mg/kg. Then, you’ll continue to receive 0.8 mg/kg every 2 weeks as your maintenance dose. This is the maximum dose of Talvey that’s recommended.
The tables below show the typical dosage schedule, including the step-up and maintenance dosages for weekly and biweekly dosing for an adult who weighs 70 kg (about 154 lb). Your doctor will choose a maintenance dose and frequency that suits your needs.
Weekly dosing schedule for a 70-kg (154-lb) adult starting Talvey treatment
| Day/week of treatment | Dosage | Dosage example for a 70-kg (154-lb) adult |
| Day 1 | starting step-up dose: 0.01 mg/kg | 0.7 mg |
| Day 4 | step-up dose: 0.06 mg/kg | 4.2 mg |
| Day 7 | first treatment dose: 0.4 mg/kg | 28 mg |
| Once weekly | maintenance treatment dose: 0.4 mg/kg | 28 mg |
Biweekly dosing schedule for a 70-kg (154-lb) adult starting Talvey treatment
| Day/week of treatment | Dosage | Dosage example for a 70-kg (154-lb) adult |
| Day 1 | starting step-up dose: 0.01 mg/kg | 0.7 mg |
| Day 4 | step-up dose: 0.06 mg/kg | 4.2 mg |
| Day 7 | step-up dose: 0.4 mg/kg | 28 mg |
| Day 10 | first treatment dose: 0.8 mg/kg | 56 mg |
| Once every 2 weeks | maintenance treatment dose: 0.8 mg/kg | 56 mg |
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Long-term treatment
Talvey is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Talvey is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.
Before you start taking Talvey, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
Factors that can affect your dosage
The Talvey dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your body weight
- how your body responds to Talvey
- side effects you may have with Talvey
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Talvey dosage.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you take certain medications, such as cytochrome P450* drugs. These drugs can affect the level of Talvey in your body. To find out what drugs may interact with Talvey, see this article.
Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.
* Cytochrome P450 is an enzyme (a type of protein) primarily in the liver that breaks down medications.
How Talvey is given
Talvey comes as a solution that’s given as a subcutaneous injection. You’ll likely go to your doctor’s office, infusion center, or a hospital to receive your injection. You may also need to stay in a clinic or hospital for 48 hours after your injection so that healthcare professionals can monitor you for any side effects from your treatment.
If you have questions about your Talvey treatment, talk with your doctor. There’s also a helpful brochure from the manufacturer’s website here.
Missed dose
If you miss your appointment for a Talvey injection, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule as needed.
If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some frequently asked questions about Talvey.
How long does it take for Talvey to start working?
Talvey starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Talvey treatment.
Is there a typical dosage range for Talvey?
Yes, the typical step-up dosage* range for Talvey is 0.01 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) to 0.4 mg/kg. The maintenance dose for Talvey is typically 0.4 mg/kg for weekly maintenance dosing and 0.8 mg/kg for biweekly maintenance dosing.
For more information about Talvey dosages, see the “Talvey dosage” section above. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
*Talvey is typically started using a “step-up” dosing schedule. Step-up dosing is a dosing schedule that slowly increases your dosage over time to reach your target dose. Slowly increasing your dose helps reduce the risk of serious side effects, including cytokine release syndrome.
Takeaway and helpful resources
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Talvey for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Talvey. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Talvey: For information about other aspects of Talvey, refer to this article.
- Details about multiple myeloma: For details about multiple myeloma, see our cancer hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.