METHYLPREDNISOLONE SODIUM SUCCINATE

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC

High Serious Adverse Events for Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate

177,552 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About METHYLPREDNISOLONE SODIUM SUCCINATE

METHYLPREDNISOLONE SODIUM SUCCINATE is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC. Based on analysis of 177,552 FDA adverse event reports, METHYLPREDNISOLONE SODIUM SUCCINATE 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 METHYLPREDNISOLONE SODIUM SUCCINATE include OFF LABEL USE, DRUG INEFFECTIVE, FATIGUE, HEADACHE, PAIN. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for METHYLPREDNISOLONE SODIUM SUCCINATE.

AI Safety Analysis

Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate 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 177,552 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, Drug Ineffective, Fatigue. Of classified reports, 89.3% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. A high percentage of serious adverse events (89.3%) were reported, indicating significant safety concerns.

The most common reactions include fatigue, headache, and infusion-related reactions, suggesting these as potential side effects. There is a notable increase in serious respiratory issues like pneumonia and dyspnoea, warranting close monitoring.

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

Safety Score: 85/100

Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 89.3% serious event ratio across 44,541 classified reports. The score accounts for 177,552 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 USE7,612 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE4,156 reports
FATIGUE4,126 reports
HEADACHE3,880 reports
PAIN3,880 reports
INFUSION RELATED REACTION3,719 reports
NAUSEA3,650 reports
PYREXIA3,627 reports
DYSPNOEA3,500 reports
RASH3,028 reports
ARTHRALGIA2,916 reports
DIARRHOEA2,852 reports
PNEUMONIA2,771 reports
HYPERTENSION2,730 reports
VOMITING2,681 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED2,571 reports
MALAISE2,533 reports
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS2,282 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED2,270 reports
ASTHENIA2,257 reports
PRURITUS2,192 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY2,133 reports
DIZZINESS2,123 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS2,116 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED2,020 reports
INTENTIONAL PRODUCT USE ISSUE2,018 reports
JOINT SWELLING1,923 reports
URTICARIA1,916 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED1,845 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA1,835 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY1,822 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY1,795 reports
COUGH1,754 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN1,667 reports
HEPATIC ENZYME INCREASED1,658 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT1,623 reports
OXYGEN SATURATION DECREASED1,618 reports
ERYTHEMA1,617 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION1,552 reports
ANXIETY1,510 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE1,510 reports
DECREASED APPETITE1,471 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION1,456 reports
SWELLING1,456 reports
INFECTION1,429 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING1,429 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS1,391 reports
FALL1,384 reports
INSOMNIA1,381 reports
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS1,380 reports
DRUG INTOLERANCE1,378 reports
TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS1,378 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE SYSTOLIC INCREASED1,373 reports
ALOPECIA1,359 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL STIFFNESS1,358 reports
SINUSITIS1,355 reports
DEPRESSION1,351 reports
CHEST PAIN1,346 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE1,323 reports
PEMPHIGUS1,317 reports
ARTHROPATHY1,312 reports
PERICARDITIS1,294 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER1,292 reports
WOUND1,286 reports
WHEEZING1,276 reports
C REACTIVE PROTEIN INCREASED1,265 reports
HYPOTENSION1,259 reports
MOBILITY DECREASED1,258 reports
PARAESTHESIA1,243 reports
BLOOD CHOLESTEROL INCREASED1,231 reports
INJURY1,223 reports
SYNOVITIS1,208 reports
BACK PAIN1,190 reports
DEATH1,187 reports
FIBROMYALGIA1,181 reports
HAND DEFORMITY1,181 reports
GLOSSODYNIA1,177 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE1,163 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE FLUCTUATION1,160 reports
ASTHMA1,155 reports
PSORIATIC ARTHROPATHY1,149 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS1,140 reports
MATERNAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY1,139 reports
BLISTER1,135 reports
TREATMENT FAILURE1,131 reports
LIVER INJURY1,116 reports
HELICOBACTER INFECTION1,096 reports
HEART RATE INCREASED1,094 reports
ANAEMIA1,082 reports
OSTEOARTHRITIS1,068 reports
CHEST DISCOMFORT1,066 reports
DUODENAL ULCER PERFORATION1,046 reports
DYSPEPSIA1,046 reports
STOMATITIS1,033 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT1,031 reports
ANTI CYCLIC CITRULLINATED PEPTIDE ANTIBODY POSITIVE1,023 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDER1,009 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA1,006 reports
HYPERCHOLESTEROLAEMIA1,002 reports
IMPAIRED HEALING996 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High percentage of serious adverse events (89.3%)
  • Common reactions include fatigue, headache, and infusion-related reactions
  • Increased reports of serious respiratory issues like pneumonia and dyspnoea

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 23,123, Male: 15,289, Unknown: 124. The most frequently reported age groups are age 40 (966 reports), age 43 (928 reports), age 65 (795 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 44,541 classified reports for METHYLPREDNISOLONE SODIUM SUCCINATE:

  • Serious: 39,760 reports (89.3%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 4,781 reports (10.7%)
Serious 89.3%Non-Serious 10.7%

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

Female23,123 (60.0%)
Male15,289 (39.7%)
Unknown124 (0.3%)

Reports by Age

Age 40966 reports
Age 43928 reports
Age 65795 reports
Age 59754 reports
Age 58738 reports
Age 64691 reports
Age 50672 reports
Age 62646 reports
Age 55633 reports
Age 61633 reports
Age 63620 reports
Age 60611 reports
Age 44604 reports
Age 67596 reports
Age 57586 reports
Age 56576 reports
Age 68562 reports
Age 48560 reports
Age 66558 reports
Age 72553 reports

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

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate can cause serious respiratory issues and should be used with caution, especially in patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include off label use, drug ineffective, fatigue, headache, 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 serious adverse events to their healthcare provider immediately. Follow the prescribed dosage and use as directed to minimize the risk of side effects. 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 Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate and may require additional safety studies or label changes based on ongoing data.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The FDA has received approximately 177,552 adverse event reports associated with Methylprednisolone 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 Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate include Off Label Use, Drug Ineffective, Fatigue, Headache, Pain. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Off Label Use (7,612 reports), Drug Ineffective (4,156 reports), Fatigue (4,126 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate.

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

Out of 44,541 classified reports, 39,760 (89.3%) were classified as serious and 4,781 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 Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 23,123, Male: 15,289, Unknown: 124. 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 Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate?

The most frequently reported age groups for Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate adverse events are: age 40: 966 reports, age 43: 928 reports, age 65: 795 reports, age 59: 754 reports, age 58: 738 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 Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate?

The primary manufacturer associated with Methylprednisolone 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 Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate include: Infusion Related Reaction, Nausea, Pyrexia, Dyspnoea, Rash. 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 Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate?

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

Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate 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. A high percentage of serious adverse events (89.3%) were reported, indicating significant safety concerns.

What are the key safety signals for Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate?

Key safety signals identified in Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate's adverse event data include: High percentage of serious adverse events (89.3%). Common reactions include fatigue, headache, and infusion-related reactions. Increased reports of serious respiratory issues like pneumonia and dyspnoea. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate interact with other drugs?

Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate can cause serious respiratory issues and should be used with caution, especially in patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate.

What should patients know before taking Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate?

Patients should report any serious adverse events to their healthcare provider immediately. Follow the prescribed dosage and use as directed to minimize the risk of side effects.

Are Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate side effects well-documented?

Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate has 177,552 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. The most common reactions include fatigue, headache, and infusion-related reactions, suggesting these as potential side effects. The volume of reports for Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

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

The FDA continues to monitor the safety of Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate and may require additional safety studies or label changes based on ongoing data. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

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

AmoxicillinIbuprofenWarfarin
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.