-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 MBXAeYXLZu7M14aQCwOcg+Ky+Hvmi3mphXtax6HsZb7gthaODJymImjASRcNygoh
 4IFrJ/rqcFkjzfCnc5SEAw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000904454-08-000410.txt : 20080918
<SEC-HEADER>0000904454-08-000410.hdr.sgml : 20080918
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080918191425
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000904454-08-000410
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080916
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080918
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080918

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Coleman Thomas Jason
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001443559

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15135
		FILM NUMBER:		081079218

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		203-862-5800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O KENSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
		STREET 2:		55 RAILROAD AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Lowenstein Michael Bernard
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001443560

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15135
		FILM NUMBER:		081079219

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		203-862-5800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O KENSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
		STREET 2:		55 RAILROAD AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TEKELEC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000790705
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RADIO & TV BROADCASTING & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3663]
		IRS NUMBER:				952746131
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5200 PARAMOUNT PARKWAY
		CITY:			MORRISVILLE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27560
		BUSINESS PHONE:		919-460-5500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5200 PARAMOUNT PARKWAY
		CITY:			MORRISVILLE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27560

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KENSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001113000

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15135
		FILM NUMBER:		081079220

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		55 RAILROAD AVENUE
		STREET 2:		2ND FLOOR
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830
		BUSINESS PHONE:		203-862-5800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		55 RAILROAD AVENUE
		STREET 2:		2ND FLOOR
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Kensico Offshore Fund, Ltd.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001442780

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15135
		FILM NUMBER:		081079221

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O KENSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
		STREET 2:		55 RAILROAD AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830
		BUSINESS PHONE:		203-862-5800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O KENSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
		STREET 2:		55 RAILROAD AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-09-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000790705</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TEKELEC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TKLC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001442780</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Kensico Offshore Fund, Ltd.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O KENSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>55 RAILROAD AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENWICH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06830</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001113000</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KENSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT CORP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O KENSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>55 RAILROAD AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENWICH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06830</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001443560</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Lowenstein Michael Bernard</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O KENSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>55 RAILROAD AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENWICH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06830</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001443559</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Coleman Thomas Jason</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O KENSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>55 RAILROAD AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENWICH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06830</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-09-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20900</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>15.05</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2524707</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-09-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>100</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>15.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2524607</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The securities reported as directly beneficially owned by Kensico Offshore Fund, Ltd. may be deemed to be indirectly beneficially owned by Kensico Capital Management Corp., Thomas Jason Coleman and Michael Bernard Lowenstein.  Michael Bernard Lowenstein and Thomas Jason Coleman are the controlling shareholders of Kensico Capital Management Corp., which is the investment manager of Kensico Offshore Fund, Ltd.  Pursuant to Instruction 4(b)(iv) of Form 4, Kensico Capital Management Corp., Thomas Jason Coleman and Michael Bernard Lowenstein have elected to report as indirectly beneficially owned the entire number of securities owned by Kensico Offshore Fund, Ltd. but each of them disclaims beneficial ownership of any securities, and any proceeds thereof, that exceed its or his pecuniary interest therein and/or that are not actually distributed to it or him.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michael Bernard Lowenstein, Director of Kensico Capital Management Corp., Investment Manager of Kensico Offshore Fund, Ltd.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-09-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michael Bernard Lowenstein, Director of Kensico Capital Management Corp., LLC</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-09-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michael Bernard Lowenstein</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-09-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Thomas Jason Coleman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-09-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----