Skip to main content

What should I know about the Tecvayli REMS program?

Medically reviewed by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD. Last updated on Aug 26, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

The Tecvayli REMS Program is a restricted program developed by the manufacturer of Tecvayli (teclistamab) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is designed to educate healthcare professionals and patients on the risks associated with Tecvayli, including:

This program ensures that the benefits of Tecvayli outweigh its potential risks.

What is Tecvayli?

Tecvayli was approved by the FDA in 2022. It is a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection used to treat adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior treatments.

What is a REMS?

A REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program is an FDA-required safety strategy for certain medications with serious side effects. It includes educational requirements and safety measures for prescribers, dispensers, and patients to help monitor and manage potential risks.

Who Must Enroll in the Tecvayli REMS Program?

Prescribers must educate patients about the risks and provide them with a wallet card outlining safety information. Wholesalers and distributors can only supply Tecvayli to certified healthcare settings.

What Are the Requirements of the Tecvayli REMS Program?

Enrolling in the Tecvayli REMS program is mandatory for prescribers, pharmacies, and dispensing healthcare facilities.

For prescribers:

For pharmacies and healthcare settings:

Related questions

What is Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS)?

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurs when Tecvayli triggers an overactive immune response, leading to the excessive release of cytokines—chemical messengers that regulate immune function. CRS can be life-threatening. Up to 72% of patients in clinical trials experienced CRS.

To mitigate these risks, guidelines recommend a step-up dosing schedule and close monitoring within certified health care settings. Prophylactic measures, including premedication protocols and the use of tocilizumab for high-risk patients, are now standard practice for managing CRS.

Symptoms of CRS may include:

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, seek medical attention immediately.

What Neurologic Toxicity Can Happen from Tecvayli?

During clinical trials, 57% of patients experienced neurologic toxicity, including Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS). This condition is believed to be triggered by inflammatory cytokines and typically occurs within the first week of treatment.

Symptoms of neurologic toxicity from Tecvayli may include:

If you develop any of the symptoms above, seek medical attention right away.

How Can I Learn More?

For more information about the Tecvayli and Talvey REMS program, visit www.TEC-TALREMS.com or call 1-855-810-8064.

This is not all the information you need to know about Tecvayli (teclistamab) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

References
  1. International Myeloma Foundation. Updated June 2024. What Is Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS)? Accessed 10/21/2024 at https://www.myeloma.org/managing-complications-side-effects/cytokine-release-syndrome-crs
  2. Johnson & Johnson. (2024, June 3). TECVAYLI® (teclistamab-cqyv) shows sustained deep and durable responses in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Retrieved from https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases/tecvayli-teclistamab-cqyv-shows-sustained-deep-and-durable-responses-in-patients-with-relapsed-or-refractory-multiple-myeloma
  3. Rees, J. H. 2022. Management of Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS) 2022 Feb 7. In: Kröger N, Gribben J, Chabannon C, et al., editors. The EBMT/EHA CAR-T Cell Handbook [Internet]. Cham (CH): Springer; 2022. Chapter 27. Accessed 10/21/20224 at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK584157/
  4. Tecvayli [package insert]. Updated  2024. Janssen Biotech, Inc. Accessed on August 26, 2025 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=54e0f974-ccee-44ea-9254-40e9883cee1e
  5. https://www.tec-talrems.com/. Accessed 10/21/2024.

Read next

Where can I find the Tecvayli FDA package insert?

You can access the Tecvayli package insert from several places. You can find the Tecvayli FDA package insert on the Janssen website, on the Drugs@FDA website, or under the FDA Professional Drug Information section on Drugs.com.

Continue reading

What is the success rate of Tecvayli?

In the Phase 1/2 MajesTEC-1 study, the success rate of Tecvayli showed an overall response rate (ORR) of 61.8% (95%CI: 52.1 to 70.9%) in 110 patients with advanced multiple myeloma who had received at least 3 prior lines of therapy. Continue reading

What is CAR T-cell therapy and how does it work?

CAR T-cell therapy is a personalized treatment that uses a patient's own immune cells to fight certain cancers and autoimmune diseases. By harnessing and reprogramming a patient’s own immune cells, this therapy offers a new option for those who have not responded to conventional treatments. 

Continue reading

See also:

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups