ECULIZUMAB

72/100 · Elevated

Manufactured by Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

High Fatigue and Serious Adverse Events Associated with Eculizumab

94,110 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About ECULIZUMAB

ECULIZUMAB is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.. Based on analysis of 94,110 FDA adverse event reports, ECULIZUMAB has a safety score of 72 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for ECULIZUMAB include FATIGUE, OFF LABEL USE, HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED, HEADACHE, DEATH. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for ECULIZUMAB.

AI Safety Analysis

Eculizumab has a safety concern score of 72 out of 100, placing it in the elevated concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 94,110 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Fatigue, Off Label Use, Haemoglobin Decreased. Of classified reports, 59.1% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Fatigue is a common and serious adverse event, reported in over 6% of cases.

Serious adverse events account for nearly 60% of all reports, indicating significant health risks. Death and thrombotic microangiopathy are among the most severe reported outcomes.

Patients taking Eculizumab should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Interactions with other drugs, particularly those affecting the immune system, should be carefully monitored. Warnings include the risk of thrombotic microangiopathy and death. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 72/100

Eculizumab received a safety concern score of 72/100 (elevated concern). This is based on a 59.1% serious event ratio across 52,761 classified reports. The score accounts for 94,110 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

FATIGUE5,822 reports
OFF LABEL USE4,574 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED3,897 reports
HEADACHE3,447 reports
DEATH2,562 reports
PYREXIA2,383 reports
DYSPNOEA2,148 reports
ASTHENIA1,992 reports
NAUSEA1,972 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE1,878 reports
HAEMOLYSIS1,844 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED1,814 reports
MALAISE1,771 reports
BLOOD LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE INCREASED1,581 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN1,532 reports
VOMITING1,477 reports
PAIN1,460 reports
BACK PAIN1,395 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED1,388 reports
HOSPITALISATION1,362 reports
DIARRHOEA1,326 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS1,324 reports
INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF DRUG ADMINISTRATION1,213 reports
PNEUMONIA1,140 reports
INCORRECT DOSE ADMINISTERED1,127 reports
ANAEMIA1,119 reports
DIZZINESS1,064 reports
ARTHRALGIA1,056 reports
BLOOD CREATININE INCREASED1,042 reports
COUGH1,032 reports
HYPERTENSION1,029 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY1,024 reports
CHROMATURIA895 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION879 reports
INFECTION865 reports
FALL786 reports
THROMBOTIC MICROANGIOPATHY786 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT785 reports
DYSPHAGIA779 reports
UNEVALUABLE EVENT760 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED728 reports
SEPSIS723 reports
HAEMOGLOBINURIA718 reports
TRANSFUSION709 reports
INFLUENZA681 reports
EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY668 reports
CHEST PAIN632 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS625 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED624 reports
HAEMATOCRIT DECREASED579 reports
RASH575 reports
POOR VENOUS ACCESS573 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING563 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL553 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA544 reports
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS533 reports
MYALGIA523 reports
RENAL FAILURE521 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED519 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN ABNORMAL507 reports
CONTUSION505 reports
APLASTIC ANAEMIA504 reports
OROPHARYNGEAL PAIN492 reports
HYPOTENSION474 reports
LABORATORY TEST ABNORMAL473 reports
THROMBOSIS472 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER455 reports
DYSPNOEA EXERTIONAL437 reports
DECREASED APPETITE436 reports
QUALITY OF LIFE DECREASED436 reports
CHILLS424 reports
JAUNDICE422 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE421 reports
ANXIETY419 reports
INSOMNIA416 reports
VIRAL INFECTION413 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL410 reports
RED BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED404 reports
SEIZURE395 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS388 reports
DEHYDRATION387 reports
PRURITUS384 reports
MIGRAINE383 reports
INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION379 reports
ALOPECIA370 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED367 reports
SINUSITIS359 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE353 reports
RHINORRHOEA347 reports
NEUTROPENIA346 reports
SOMNOLENCE342 reports
UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION337 reports
COVID 19330 reports
STRESS327 reports
DEVICE RELATED INFECTION318 reports
BLOOD BILIRUBIN INCREASED315 reports
DEPRESSION313 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL STIFFNESS313 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA312 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY304 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Frequent reports of fatigue and other general symptoms suggest a need for careful patient monitoring.
  • Serious adverse events like death and thrombotic microangiopathy highlight the need for strict adherence to dosing guidelines.
  • The high volume of reports for serious conditions indicates a significant safety concern.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 24,942, Male: 16,800, Unknown: 766. The most frequently reported age groups are age 35 (225 reports), age 30 (224 reports), age 64 (217 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 52,761 classified reports for ECULIZUMAB:

  • Serious: 31,168 reports (59.1%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 21,593 reports (40.9%)
Serious 59.1%Non-Serious 40.9%

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

Female24,942 (58.7%)
Male16,800 (39.5%)
Unknown766 (1.8%)

Reports by Age

Age 35225 reports
Age 30224 reports
Age 64217 reports
Age 24215 reports
Age 67213 reports
Age 26212 reports
Age 36211 reports
Age 34209 reports
Age 33204 reports
Age 70201 reports
Age 29198 reports
Age 55198 reports
Age 38196 reports
Age 31193 reports
Age 23192 reports
Age 59190 reports
Age 37189 reports
Age 42187 reports
Age 22185 reports
Age 27185 reports

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

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Interactions with other drugs, particularly those affecting the immune system, should be carefully monitored. Warnings include the risk of thrombotic microangiopathy and death.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Eculizumab, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include fatigue, off label use, haemoglobin decreased, headache, death. 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 strictly to minimize the risk of serious adverse events. 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 is ongoing, with the FDA requiring post-marketing studies to further assess long-term safety and efficacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The FDA has received approximately 94,110 adverse event reports associated with Eculizumab. 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 Eculizumab?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Eculizumab include Fatigue, Off Label Use, Haemoglobin Decreased, Headache, Death. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Fatigue (5,822 reports), Off Label Use (4,574 reports), Haemoglobin Decreased (3,897 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Eculizumab.

What percentage of Eculizumab adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 52,761 classified reports, 31,168 (59.1%) were classified as serious and 21,593 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 Eculizumab (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Eculizumab break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 24,942, Male: 16,800, Unknown: 766. 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 Eculizumab?

The most frequently reported age groups for Eculizumab adverse events are: age 35: 225 reports, age 30: 224 reports, age 64: 217 reports, age 24: 215 reports, age 67: 213 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 Eculizumab?

The primary manufacturer associated with Eculizumab adverse event reports is Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.. 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 Eculizumab?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Eculizumab include: Pyrexia, Dyspnoea, Asthenia, Nausea, Drug Ineffective. 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 Eculizumab?

You can report adverse events from Eculizumab 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 Eculizumab's safety score and what does it mean?

Eculizumab has a safety concern score of 72 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 is a common and serious adverse event, reported in over 6% of cases.

What are the key safety signals for Eculizumab?

Key safety signals identified in Eculizumab's adverse event data include: Frequent reports of fatigue and other general symptoms suggest a need for careful patient monitoring.. Serious adverse events like death and thrombotic microangiopathy highlight the need for strict adherence to dosing guidelines.. The high volume of reports for serious conditions indicates a significant safety concern.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Eculizumab interact with other drugs?

Interactions with other drugs, particularly those affecting the immune system, should be carefully monitored. Warnings include the risk of thrombotic microangiopathy and death. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Eculizumab.

What should patients know before taking Eculizumab?

Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Follow prescribed dosing instructions strictly to minimize the risk of serious adverse events.

Are Eculizumab side effects well-documented?

Eculizumab has 94,110 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Serious adverse events account for nearly 60% of all reports, indicating significant health risks. The volume of reports for Eculizumab reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Eculizumab?

Regulatory oversight is ongoing, with the FDA requiring post-marketing studies to further assess long-term safety and efficacy. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Other Drugs by Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

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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.