HYDROCORTISONE SODIUM SUCCINATE

35/100 · Moderate

Manufactured by Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC

Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate Adverse Events: Common but Generally Non-Serious Reactions

54,773 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About HYDROCORTISONE SODIUM SUCCINATE

HYDROCORTISONE SODIUM SUCCINATE is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC. Based on analysis of 54,773 FDA adverse event reports, HYDROCORTISONE SODIUM SUCCINATE has a safety score of 35 out of 100. This lower score reflects a significant number of adverse event reports, suggesting that patients should discuss potential risks carefully with their healthcare provider. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for HYDROCORTISONE SODIUM SUCCINATE include OFF LABEL USE, INFUSION RELATED REACTION, PYREXIA, FATIGUE, DYSPNOEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for HYDROCORTISONE SODIUM SUCCINATE.

AI Safety Analysis

Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate has a safety concern score of 35 out of 100, placing it in the moderate concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 54,773 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Llc.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Off Label Use, Infusion Related Reaction, Pyrexia. Of classified reports, 91.0% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Most reported reactions are common and non-serious, such as fatigue, rash, and nausea.

The majority of reactions are related to infusion and systemic effects. There is a notable increase in serious reactions, particularly infections and respiratory issues. Drug interactions and warnings are primarily related to potential exacerbation of existing conditions. Regulatory context includes monitoring for serious adverse events and potential long-term effects.

Patients taking Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate can exacerbate existing conditions and may cause serious reactions, particularly in patients with pre-existing respiratory or infectious conditions. Close monitoring is advised during administration. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 35/100

Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate received a safety concern score of 35/100 (moderate concern). This is based on a 91.0% serious event ratio across 8,931 classified reports. The score accounts for 54,773 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This moderate score is typical for widely prescribed medications with established safety profiles.

Top Adverse Reactions

OFF LABEL USE1,556 reports
INFUSION RELATED REACTION1,180 reports
PYREXIA1,045 reports
FATIGUE1,017 reports
DYSPNOEA959 reports
NAUSEA927 reports
PAIN875 reports
RASH875 reports
DIARRHOEA870 reports
HEADACHE861 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED858 reports
VOMITING852 reports
ARTHRALGIA788 reports
PRURITUS787 reports
HYPERTENSION781 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE771 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY751 reports
URTICARIA749 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED745 reports
PNEUMONIA697 reports
INFECTION685 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED621 reports
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS597 reports
MALAISE596 reports
DIZZINESS588 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA585 reports
JOINT SWELLING582 reports
WOUND579 reports
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS571 reports
WHEEZING568 reports
SWELLING566 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION556 reports
INTENTIONAL PRODUCT USE ISSUE556 reports
SINUSITIS556 reports
HAND DEFORMITY555 reports
TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS553 reports
GLOSSODYNIA548 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS548 reports
IMPAIRED HEALING545 reports
HEPATIC ENZYME INCREASED543 reports
INJURY540 reports
HELICOBACTER INFECTION531 reports
SYNOVITIS528 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT524 reports
PSORIATIC ARTHROPATHY516 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL STIFFNESS515 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY507 reports
FIBROMYALGIA506 reports
INSOMNIA505 reports
RHEUMATIC FEVER484 reports
ASTHENIA483 reports
ALOPECIA478 reports
PERICARDITIS478 reports
DUODENAL ULCER PERFORATION476 reports
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME474 reports
DECREASED APPETITE469 reports
CHEST PAIN466 reports
PEMPHIGUS466 reports
STOMATITIS465 reports
FOLLICULITIS461 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE459 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING459 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN458 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY450 reports
ANXIETY447 reports
DISCOMFORT444 reports
JOINT RANGE OF MOTION DECREASED441 reports
ARTHROPATHY422 reports
RHEUMATOID FACTOR POSITIVE420 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE416 reports
OEDEMA411 reports
SLEEP DISORDER407 reports
BLISTER403 reports
MOBILITY DECREASED403 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL397 reports
CONTUSION393 reports
ILL DEFINED DISORDER392 reports
DEPRESSION388 reports
DRY MOUTH385 reports
WOUND INFECTION385 reports
SWOLLEN JOINT COUNT INCREASED381 reports
MUSCLE INJURY380 reports
SCIATICA374 reports
INFLAMMATION373 reports
SLEEP DISORDER DUE TO GENERAL MEDICAL CONDITION, INSOMNIA TYPE368 reports
LIVER DISORDER364 reports
ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT363 reports
DRUG INTOLERANCE362 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER355 reports
OSTEOARTHRITIS351 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION349 reports
ASTHMA347 reports
ANTI CYCLIC CITRULLINATED PEPTIDE ANTIBODY POSITIVE344 reports
BLOOD CHOLESTEROL INCREASED344 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE342 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS342 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDER340 reports
FACET JOINT SYNDROME337 reports
LIVER INJURY335 reports
DELIRIUM328 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Infusion-related reactions are frequent, indicating potential issues with administration.
  • Respiratory issues like dyspnea and pneumonia are significant, warranting close monitoring.
  • Infections, particularly pneumonia, are a key safety signal, especially in older adults.
  • There is a notable increase in serious reactions, suggesting a need for careful patient selection.
  • Drug ineffectiveness and hyper-sensitivity reactions indicate variability in patient response.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 4,561, Male: 3,211, Unknown: 24. The most frequently reported age groups are age 44 (553 reports), age 43 (219 reports), age 63 (134 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 8,931 classified reports for HYDROCORTISONE SODIUM SUCCINATE:

  • Serious: 8,129 reports (91.0%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 802 reports (9.0%)
Serious 91.0%Non-Serious 9.0%

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

Female4,561 (58.5%)
Male3,211 (41.2%)
Unknown24 (0.3%)

Reports by Age

Age 44553 reports
Age 43219 reports
Age 63134 reports
Age 40126 reports
Age 70116 reports
Age 59113 reports
Age 62109 reports
Age 56108 reports
Age 65108 reports
Age 6998 reports
Age 6497 reports
Age 5495 reports
Age 5795 reports
Age 6694 reports
Age 6793 reports
Age 7191 reports
Age 7291 reports
Age 6890 reports
Age 6088 reports
Age 5586 reports

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

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate can exacerbate existing conditions and may cause serious reactions, particularly in patients with pre-existing respiratory or infectious conditions. Close monitoring is advised during administration.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include off label use, infusion related reaction, pyrexia, fatigue, dyspnoea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should inform their healthcare provider of any pre-existing conditions, especially respiratory or infectious diseases, before starting treatment with Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate. Follow the prescribed dosage and administration instructions carefully to minimize the risk of adverse reactions. 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 profile of Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate, particularly for serious adverse events. Healthcare providers should report any serious reactions to the FDA's MedWatch program.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The FDA has received approximately 54,773 adverse event reports associated with Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate. 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 Sodium Succinate?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate include Off Label Use, Infusion Related Reaction, Pyrexia, Fatigue, Dyspnoea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Off Label Use (1,556 reports), Infusion Related Reaction (1,180 reports), Pyrexia (1,045 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 Sodium Succinate.

What percentage of Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 8,931 classified reports, 8,129 (91.0%) were classified as serious and 802 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 Sodium Succinate (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 4,561, Male: 3,211, Unknown: 24. 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 Sodium Succinate?

The most frequently reported age groups for Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate adverse events are: age 44: 553 reports, age 43: 219 reports, age 63: 134 reports, age 40: 126 reports, age 70: 116 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 Sodium Succinate?

The primary manufacturer associated with Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate adverse event reports is Pharmacia & Upjohn Company 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 Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate include: Nausea, Pain, Rash, 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 Sodium Succinate?

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

Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate has a safety concern score of 35 out of 100 (moderate 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. Most reported reactions are common and non-serious, such as fatigue, rash, and nausea.

What are the key safety signals for Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate?

Key safety signals identified in Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate's adverse event data include: Infusion-related reactions are frequent, indicating potential issues with administration.. Respiratory issues like dyspnea and pneumonia are significant, warranting close monitoring.. Infections, particularly pneumonia, are a key safety signal, especially in older adults.. There is a notable increase in serious reactions, suggesting a need for careful patient selection.. Drug ineffectiveness and hyper-sensitivity reactions indicate variability in patient response.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate interact with other drugs?

Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate can exacerbate existing conditions and may cause serious reactions, particularly in patients with pre-existing respiratory or infectious conditions. Close monitoring is advised during administration. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate.

What should patients know before taking Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate?

Patients should inform their healthcare provider of any pre-existing conditions, especially respiratory or infectious diseases, before starting treatment with Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate. Follow the prescribed dosage and administration instructions carefully to minimize the risk of adverse reactions.

Are Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate side effects well-documented?

Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate has 54,773 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. The majority of reactions are related to infusion and systemic effects. The volume of reports for Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate?

The FDA continues to monitor the safety profile of Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate, particularly for serious adverse events. Healthcare providers should report any serious reactions to the FDA's MedWatch program. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

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

PrednisonePrednisoloneBetamethasoneDexamethasoneFludrocortisone
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.