BELIMUMAB

65/100 · Elevated

Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline LLC

Belimumab Adverse Events: Moderate Safety Concerns

60,128 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About BELIMUMAB

BELIMUMAB is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline LLC. Based on analysis of 60,128 FDA adverse event reports, BELIMUMAB has a safety score of 65 out of 100. This moderate score indicates a notable volume of adverse event reports that patients and providers should be aware of. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for BELIMUMAB include PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE, SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS, FATIGUE, DRUG INEFFECTIVE, PAIN. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for BELIMUMAB.

AI Safety Analysis

Belimumab has a safety concern score of 65 out of 100, placing it in the elevated concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 60,128 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Glaxosmithkline Llc.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Product Dose Omission Issue, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Fatigue. Of classified reports, 42.3% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Fatigue and pain are the most common reported side effects, with over 1,700 reports each.

Serious adverse events account for 42.3% of all reports, indicating significant risk. The majority of reports are from female patients, with a ratio of 14:1 compared to males.

Patients taking Belimumab should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Belimumab should be used with caution in patients with a history of serious infections, and drug interactions with immunosuppressants should be monitored. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 65/100

Belimumab received a safety concern score of 65/100 (elevated concern). This is based on a 42.3% serious event ratio across 30,234 classified reports. The score accounts for 60,128 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This elevated score indicates a notable proportion of serious adverse events and warrants careful monitoring.

Top Adverse Reactions

PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE4,840 reports
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS3,749 reports
FATIGUE2,005 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE1,796 reports
PAIN1,720 reports
HEADACHE1,525 reports
NAUSEA1,456 reports
WRONG TECHNIQUE IN DEVICE USAGE PROCESS1,427 reports
MALAISE1,393 reports
ARTHRALGIA1,332 reports
INJECTION SITE PAIN1,318 reports
PRODUCT COMPLAINT1,180 reports
OFF LABEL USE1,042 reports
PYREXIA958 reports
RASH932 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED919 reports
ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE TO PRODUCT916 reports
EXPOSURE VIA SKIN CONTACT909 reports
DIARRHOEA771 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY751 reports
PRODUCT STORAGE ERROR695 reports
INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION677 reports
DYSPNOEA654 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION651 reports
DIZZINESS630 reports
COUGH619 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION588 reports
VOMITING578 reports
DEPRESSION571 reports
PNEUMONIA571 reports
PRURITUS552 reports
HOSPITALISATION547 reports
COVID 19545 reports
ASTHENIA527 reports
DEATH524 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL520 reports
ILLNESS517 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS517 reports
UNDERDOSE517 reports
INSOMNIA505 reports
EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY503 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION475 reports
INCORRECT DOSE ADMINISTERED462 reports
CHEST PAIN456 reports
INFECTION453 reports
INJECTION SITE HAEMORRHAGE449 reports
INFLUENZA433 reports
ANXIETY422 reports
MIGRAINE420 reports
DRUG DOSE OMISSION417 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED416 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING386 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED378 reports
ALOPECIA357 reports
LUPUS NEPHRITIS355 reports
ILL DEFINED DISORDER347 reports
THERAPY INTERRUPTED347 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY344 reports
INJECTION SITE BRUISING341 reports
SINUSITIS335 reports
SURGERY330 reports
OROPHARYNGEAL PAIN326 reports
ERYTHEMA320 reports
BACK PAIN315 reports
JOINT SWELLING310 reports
THERAPY CESSATION305 reports
FALL304 reports
ADVERSE DRUG REACTION302 reports
URTICARIA300 reports
MYALGIA299 reports
SWELLING277 reports
CHILLS272 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER256 reports
ARTHRITIS247 reports
HERPES ZOSTER247 reports
BRONCHITIS242 reports
SOMNOLENCE239 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN236 reports
CONTUSION236 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE232 reports
HYPERTENSION229 reports
STRESS228 reports
RHINORRHOEA226 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED224 reports
CHEST DISCOMFORT210 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA210 reports
DECREASED APPETITE202 reports
CIRCUMSTANCE OR INFORMATION CAPABLE OF LEADING TO MEDICATION ERROR201 reports
INFUSION RELATED REACTION201 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT200 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE197 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY196 reports
INFLAMMATION195 reports
INJECTION SITE ERYTHEMA195 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL STIFFNESS186 reports
LEUKOPENIA185 reports
SUICIDAL IDEATION183 reports
SEPSIS182 reports
TREMOR172 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS171 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the primary condition treated, but reports of SLE exacerbation are common.
  • Injection site reactions, including pain and erythema, are frequent.
  • There are reports of serious infections, including pneumonia and sepsis, which are concerning.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 23,236, Male: 1,716, Unknown: 60. The most frequently reported age groups are age 54 (340 reports), age 52 (333 reports), age 48 (324 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 30,234 classified reports for BELIMUMAB:

  • Serious: 12,796 reports (42.3%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 17,438 reports (57.7%)
Serious 42.3%Non-Serious 57.7%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female23,236 (92.9%)
Male1,716 (6.9%)
Unknown60 (0.2%)

Reports by Age

Age 54340 reports
Age 52333 reports
Age 48324 reports
Age 44318 reports
Age 49318 reports
Age 45310 reports
Age 59306 reports
Age 51305 reports
Age 50304 reports
Age 55301 reports
Age 46299 reports
Age 43298 reports
Age 42290 reports
Age 58290 reports
Age 40289 reports
Age 38286 reports
Age 53284 reports
Age 57280 reports
Age 47279 reports
Age 61269 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Belimumab should be used with caution in patients with a history of serious infections, and drug interactions with immunosuppressants should be monitored.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Belimumab, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include product dose omission issue, systemic lupus erythematosus, fatigue, drug ineffective, pain. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Follow prescribed dosing instructions carefully to avoid dose-related issues. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

Regulatory oversight includes regular safety updates and monitoring for serious adverse events, particularly infections and SLE exacerbation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Belimumab?

The FDA has received approximately 60,128 adverse event reports associated with Belimumab. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Belimumab?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Belimumab include Product Dose Omission Issue, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Fatigue, Drug Ineffective, Pain. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Product Dose Omission Issue (4,840 reports), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (3,749 reports), Fatigue (2,005 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Belimumab.

What percentage of Belimumab adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 30,234 classified reports, 12,796 (42.3%) were classified as serious and 17,438 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Belimumab (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Belimumab break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 23,236, Male: 1,716, Unknown: 60. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Belimumab?

The most frequently reported age groups for Belimumab adverse events are: age 54: 340 reports, age 52: 333 reports, age 48: 324 reports, age 44: 318 reports, age 49: 318 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Belimumab?

The primary manufacturer associated with Belimumab adverse event reports is Glaxosmithkline Llc. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Belimumab?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Belimumab include: Headache, Nausea, Wrong Technique In Device Usage Process, Malaise, Arthralgia. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Belimumab?

You can report adverse events from Belimumab to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Belimumab's safety score and what does it mean?

Belimumab has a safety concern score of 65 out of 100 (elevated concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Fatigue and pain are the most common reported side effects, with over 1,700 reports each.

What are the key safety signals for Belimumab?

Key safety signals identified in Belimumab's adverse event data include: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the primary condition treated, but reports of SLE exacerbation are common.. Injection site reactions, including pain and erythema, are frequent.. There are reports of serious infections, including pneumonia and sepsis, which are concerning.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Belimumab interact with other drugs?

Belimumab should be used with caution in patients with a history of serious infections, and drug interactions with immunosuppressants should be monitored. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Belimumab.

What should patients know before taking Belimumab?

Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Follow prescribed dosing instructions carefully to avoid dose-related issues.

Are Belimumab side effects well-documented?

Belimumab has 60,128 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Serious adverse events account for 42.3% of all reports, indicating significant risk. The volume of reports for Belimumab reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Belimumab?

Regulatory oversight includes regular safety updates and monitoring for serious adverse events, particularly infections and SLE exacerbation. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to BELIMUMAB based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

ImmunosuppressantsAntibioticsCorticosteroidsOther biologicsNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.