Talvey (talquetamab-tgvs) is a brand-name prescription medication that’s prescribed to treat multiple myeloma in adults. As with other drugs, Talvey can cause side effects, such as fatigue, diarrhea, and dry mouth.

Talvey can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Talvey in clinical trials:

  • fatigue
  • diarrhea
  • dry mouth
  • joint or muscle pain
  • nail changes, such as nail discoloration or ridges in your nail

Mild side effects can occur with Talvey use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Talvey’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Talvey include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Talvey and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.*

* An allergic reaction is possible after using Talvey. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effects specifics” section below.

Talvey may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Talvey’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Talvey, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
    • loss of appetite
    • abdominal pain
    • dark-colored urine
    • jaundice (yellowing in the skin or whites of the eyes)
  • Serious infections. Symptoms can include:
    • feeling tired or weak
    • fever
    • chills
    • sore throat
    • shortness of breath
  • Serious mouth problems, which may lead to significant weight loss. Symptoms can include:
  • Low levels of certain blood cells, such as red blood cells or white blood cells.
  • Severe skin reactions, such as skin rash, irritation, or discoloration
  • Risk of cytokine release syndrome*
  • Risk of serious neurologic damage.*
  • Severe allergic reaction.†

* Talvey has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

† An allergic reaction is possible after using Talvey. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effects specifics” section below.

Talvey may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How do side effects of Talvey compare with those seen with Tecvayli?

Many of the side effects reported with Talvey and Tecvayli (teclistamab-cqyv) are similar. Both drugs have a boxed warning for the risk of cytokine release syndrome and neurologic damage*. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the FDA. Other side effects that both Talvey and Tecvayli can cause include:

In addition, Talvey can cause serious mouth and skin sores that were not seen during treatment with Tecvayli.

But Tecvayli can also cause high blood pressure and increase the risk of kidney problems. There were no reports that Talvey caused these side effects.

Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about the side effects during treatment with Talvey or Tecvayli.

* To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Is Talvey safe for older adults?

Most likely. Clinical trials of Talvey did not identify any differences in the overall safety of Talvey in older adults compared to younger people.

Talk with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about the safety of Talvey in older adults.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Talvey may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Talvey.

Risk of cytokine release syndrome

There is a risk of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) while taking Talvey. This was a common side effect reported in clinical trials of the drug. CRS is when your immune system is overactive, which can cause harmful levels of inflammation in the body. Symptoms vary depending on the severity of inflammation but can include:

In severe cases, CRS can be life threatening. For this reason, Talvey is only available through a special program required by the FDA to be sure people use the drug safely.

What you can do

Your doctor will likely prescribe a low dose of Talvey to start and increase it over the first few doses. This can help lower your risk of CRS. You’ll typically receive medications before each dose of Talvey to help prevent CRS. You’ll likely stay in the hospital for 48 hours after your first three doses of Talvey to monitor for symptoms of CRS and other side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of CRS. You may need to stop treatment with Talvey if you develop serious CRS. Your doctor can decide whether it’s safe for you to continue treatment with the drug.

Risk of serious neurologic damage

Talvey can cause neurological damage, including a condition called immune effector cell neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). This was a common side effect reported in the drug’s clinical studies.

Symptoms of neurologic damage can include:

  • fatigue or extreme tiredness
  • headache
  • confusion
  • difficulty moving or speaking
  • feeling of numbness or tingling
  • seizures

In severe cases, neurologic damage, including ICANS, can be life threatening. For this reason, Talvey is only available through a special program required by the FDA to be sure people use the drug safely.

What you can do

Your doctor will monitor you for symptoms of neurologic damage every time you receive a dose of and during treatment with Talvey. You’ll likely stay in the hospital for 48 hours after your first few doses of Talvey to monitor for symptoms of neurologic damage and other side effects. Due to the risk of extreme tiredness and decreased alertness while using Talvey, you should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery during the time of your first few doses and for 48 hours after your third dose.

Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of neurologic damage. You may need to stop therapy with Talvey if you develop serious neurologic damage. Your doctor can decide whether it’s safe for you to continue treatment with the drug.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Talvey can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Talvey. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Below is important information about precautions to consider before you start treatment with Talvey.

Boxed warnings

This drug has boxed warnings about risk of cytokine release syndrome and risk of serious neurologic damage. These are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Other precautions

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Talvey. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Current infection: Be sure to tell your doctor if you have an infection before starting treatment with Talvey. Using Talvey could worsen an infection or make it harder to treat. Your doctor will likely want to treat any infections before you start treatment with Talvey.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Talvey or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Talvey. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Talvey may not be safe for you to take if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Be sure to tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Alcohol consumption: There are no known interactions between Talvey and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol during treatment can increase your risk for liver damage. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about alcohol use during treatment with Talvey.

Like all medications, Talvey can cause side effects. Sometimes, the medication can cause some serious side effects that may require treatment. You should talk with your doctor if any side effects last, are bothersome, or are serious.

If you’d like to learn more about Talvey, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Talvey:For details about other aspects of Talvey, refer to this article.
  • Dosage: For information about the dosage of Talvey, view this article.
  • A look at 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.