HYDROCORTISONE ACETATE

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.

Hydrocortisone Acetate Adverse Events: High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

298,939 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About HYDROCORTISONE ACETATE

HYDROCORTISONE ACETATE is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.. Based on analysis of 298,939 FDA adverse event reports, HYDROCORTISONE ACETATE has a safety score of 85 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 HYDROCORTISONE ACETATE include OFF LABEL USE, DRUG INEFFECTIVE, FATIGUE, CONDITION AGGRAVATED, RASH. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for HYDROCORTISONE ACETATE.

AI Safety Analysis

Hydrocortisone Acetate has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 298,939 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Off Label Use, Drug Ineffective, Fatigue. Of classified reports, 83.4% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Hydrocortisone Acetate reports show a high percentage of serious adverse events (83.4%).

The most common reactions include fatigue, rash, and pain, indicating a broad range of potential side effects. Reports indicate a significant number of serious conditions such as pneumonia, systemic lupus erythematosus, and pericarditis.

Patients taking Hydrocortisone Acetate should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Hydrocortisone Acetate can cause serious conditions like pneumonia and systemic lupus erythematosus, and should be used with caution, especially in patients with pre-existing respiratory or gastrointestinal issues. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Hydrocortisone Acetate received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 83.4% serious event ratio across 69,002 classified reports. The score accounts for 298,939 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

OFF LABEL USE10,132 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE8,687 reports
FATIGUE7,069 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED6,346 reports
RASH5,925 reports
PAIN5,745 reports
NAUSEA5,344 reports
ARTHRALGIA5,036 reports
DIARRHOEA4,987 reports
HEADACHE4,936 reports
DYSPNOEA4,815 reports
INFUSION RELATED REACTION4,417 reports
PYREXIA4,412 reports
VOMITING4,350 reports
PRURITUS4,120 reports
MALAISE3,948 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT3,903 reports
INTENTIONAL PRODUCT USE ISSUE3,858 reports
ALOPECIA3,771 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY3,683 reports
SWELLING3,556 reports
HYPERTENSION3,525 reports
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS3,433 reports
JOINT SWELLING3,427 reports
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS3,363 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED3,350 reports
DIZZINESS3,294 reports
HEPATIC ENZYME INCREASED3,235 reports
PNEUMONIA3,191 reports
WOUND3,165 reports
DRUG INTOLERANCE3,111 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION3,102 reports
GLOSSODYNIA3,077 reports
PEMPHIGUS3,055 reports
PERICARDITIS3,027 reports
SYNOVITIS3,022 reports
ARTHROPATHY2,995 reports
ASTHENIA2,955 reports
HAND DEFORMITY2,952 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE2,947 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION2,946 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED2,875 reports
MATERNAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY2,841 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS2,822 reports
DISCOMFORT2,809 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE2,774 reports
URTICARIA2,763 reports
ANTI CYCLIC CITRULLINATED PEPTIDE ANTIBODY POSITIVE2,634 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN2,591 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY2,588 reports
BLISTER2,580 reports
DUODENAL ULCER PERFORATION2,519 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY2,518 reports
HELICOBACTER INFECTION2,498 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL STIFFNESS2,481 reports
DECREASED APPETITE2,453 reports
INFECTION2,407 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING2,380 reports
TREATMENT FAILURE2,369 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA2,343 reports
INSOMNIA2,338 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER2,322 reports
TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS2,317 reports
STOMATITIS2,262 reports
INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION2,222 reports
CONTRAINDICATED PRODUCT ADMINISTERED2,217 reports
BLOOD CHOLESTEROL INCREASED2,213 reports
LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION2,184 reports
PSORIATIC ARTHROPATHY2,146 reports
MOBILITY DECREASED2,123 reports
SINUSITIS2,102 reports
RHEUMATOID FACTOR POSITIVE2,101 reports
INJURY2,072 reports
IMPAIRED HEALING2,047 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDER2,037 reports
CHEST PAIN2,033 reports
WHEEZING2,018 reports
ANXIETY1,966 reports
FOLLICULITIS1,950 reports
FIBROMYALGIA1,948 reports
DEPRESSION1,947 reports
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME1,937 reports
CONTUSION1,928 reports
RHEUMATIC FEVER1,911 reports
THERAPEUTIC PRODUCT EFFECT DECREASED1,909 reports
SLEEP DISORDER1,849 reports
COUGH1,789 reports
ERYTHEMA1,782 reports
DYSPEPSIA1,736 reports
ILL DEFINED DISORDER1,698 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE1,694 reports
MIGRAINE1,658 reports
DEATH1,650 reports
PARAESTHESIA1,644 reports
LIVER INJURY1,638 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED1,631 reports
BACK PAIN1,629 reports
HYPOTENSION1,626 reports
MUSCLE INJURY1,616 reports
OEDEMA1,592 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High percentage of serious adverse events (83.4%)
  • Diverse range of reactions including systemic lupus erythematosus and pericarditis
  • Significant number of reports involving respiratory and gastrointestinal issues

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 35,397, Male: 25,090, Unknown: 136. The most frequently reported age groups are age 43 (1,913 reports), age 44 (1,608 reports), age 40 (1,166 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 69,002 classified reports for HYDROCORTISONE ACETATE:

  • Serious: 57,569 reports (83.4%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 11,433 reports (16.6%)
Serious 83.4%Non-Serious 16.6%

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

Female35,397 (58.4%)
Male25,090 (41.4%)
Unknown136 (0.2%)

Reports by Age

Age 431,913 reports
Age 441,608 reports
Age 401,166 reports
Age 60907 reports
Age 59896 reports
Age 65889 reports
Age 66863 reports
Age 63860 reports
Age 69849 reports
Age 64830 reports
Age 68828 reports
Age 67814 reports
Age 58807 reports
Age 62799 reports
Age 50798 reports
Age 72783 reports
Age 73775 reports
Age 70773 reports
Age 56765 reports
Age 54746 reports

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

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Hydrocortisone Acetate can cause serious conditions like pneumonia and systemic lupus erythematosus, and should be used with caution, especially in patients with pre-existing respiratory or gastrointestinal issues.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Hydrocortisone Acetate, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include off label use, drug ineffective, fatigue, condition aggravated, rash. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Follow prescribed dosage and duration of use strictly to minimize the risk of adverse events. Report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider immediately. 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

The FDA continues to monitor the safety of Hydrocortisone Acetate, and updates will be provided as new data becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Hydrocortisone Acetate?

The FDA has received approximately 298,939 adverse event reports associated with Hydrocortisone Acetate. 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 Hydrocortisone Acetate?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Hydrocortisone Acetate include Off Label Use, Drug Ineffective, Fatigue, Condition Aggravated, Rash. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Off Label Use (10,132 reports), Drug Ineffective (8,687 reports), Fatigue (7,069 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Hydrocortisone Acetate.

What percentage of Hydrocortisone Acetate adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 69,002 classified reports, 57,569 (83.4%) were classified as serious and 11,433 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 Hydrocortisone Acetate (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Hydrocortisone Acetate break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 35,397, Male: 25,090, Unknown: 136. 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 Hydrocortisone Acetate?

The most frequently reported age groups for Hydrocortisone Acetate adverse events are: age 43: 1,913 reports, age 44: 1,608 reports, age 40: 1,166 reports, age 60: 907 reports, age 59: 896 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 Hydrocortisone Acetate?

The primary manufacturer associated with Hydrocortisone Acetate adverse event reports is Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, 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 Hydrocortisone Acetate?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Hydrocortisone Acetate include: Pain, Nausea, Arthralgia, Diarrhoea, Headache. 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 Hydrocortisone Acetate?

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

Hydrocortisone Acetate has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high 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. Hydrocortisone Acetate reports show a high percentage of serious adverse events (83.4%).

What are the key safety signals for Hydrocortisone Acetate?

Key safety signals identified in Hydrocortisone Acetate's adverse event data include: High percentage of serious adverse events (83.4%). Diverse range of reactions including systemic lupus erythematosus and pericarditis. Significant number of reports involving respiratory and gastrointestinal issues. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Hydrocortisone Acetate interact with other drugs?

Hydrocortisone Acetate can cause serious conditions like pneumonia and systemic lupus erythematosus, and should be used with caution, especially in patients with pre-existing respiratory or gastrointestinal issues. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Hydrocortisone Acetate.

What should patients know before taking Hydrocortisone Acetate?

Follow prescribed dosage and duration of use strictly to minimize the risk of adverse events. Report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider immediately.

Are Hydrocortisone Acetate side effects well-documented?

Hydrocortisone Acetate has 298,939 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. The most common reactions include fatigue, rash, and pain, indicating a broad range of potential side effects. The volume of reports for Hydrocortisone Acetate reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Hydrocortisone Acetate?

The FDA continues to monitor the safety of Hydrocortisone Acetate, and updates will be provided as new data becomes available. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

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

PneumoniaSystemic Lupus ErythematosusPericarditis
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.