EXHIBIT 23.1




                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


     We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by reference in the  Registration
Statements  of  Tekelec  on Form  S-8  (Registration  Nos.  33-48079,  33-82124,
33-60611, 333-05933,  333-28887,  333-37843, 333-71261, 333-86147 and 333-39588)
and on Form S-3  (Registration  No.333-95649)  of our reports  dated January 29,
2002, relating to consolidated  financial statements and consolidated  financial
statement schedule which appear in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Los Angeles, California
March 28, 2002