NATALIZUMAB

72/100 · Elevated

Manufactured by Biogen Inc.

Natalizumab Adverse Events: Significant Fatigue and Neurological Concerns

289,050 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About NATALIZUMAB

NATALIZUMAB is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Biogen Inc.. Based on analysis of 289,050 FDA adverse event reports, NATALIZUMAB 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 NATALIZUMAB include FATIGUE, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS RELAPSE, HEADACHE, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, GAIT DISTURBANCE. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for NATALIZUMAB.

AI Safety Analysis

Natalizumab 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 289,050 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Biogen Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Fatigue, Multiple Sclerosis Relapse, Headache. Of classified reports, 31.1% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Fatigue and multiple sclerosis relapse are the most common adverse events.

Neurological symptoms such as headache, gait disturbance, and cognitive disorder are frequently reported. Serious adverse events, including death and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, are notable.

Patients taking Natalizumab should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Natalizumab is contraindicated in patients with a history of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Regular monitoring for signs of infection is advised. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 72/100

Natalizumab received a safety concern score of 72/100 (elevated concern). This is based on a 31.1% serious event ratio across 179,310 classified reports. The score accounts for 289,050 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

FATIGUE19,460 reports
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS RELAPSE16,794 reports
HEADACHE9,914 reports
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS9,700 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE9,473 reports
FALL8,004 reports
ASTHENIA7,983 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT7,926 reports
MALAISE7,318 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE6,892 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION6,286 reports
PAIN5,942 reports
BALANCE DISORDER5,673 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA5,396 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY4,918 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS4,583 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS4,457 reports
NAUSEA4,306 reports
DIZZINESS4,040 reports
MOBILITY DECREASED3,826 reports
STRESS3,557 reports
COGNITIVE DISORDER3,514 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS3,186 reports
DEPRESSION3,180 reports
ARTHRALGIA3,043 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL2,957 reports
PYREXIA2,873 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY2,847 reports
BACK PAIN2,803 reports
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT2,783 reports
PARAESTHESIA2,780 reports
ANXIETY2,763 reports
TREMOR2,573 reports
PNEUMONIA2,455 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE2,375 reports
PRESCRIBED UNDERDOSE2,266 reports
DEATH2,223 reports
DIARRHOEA2,222 reports
VOMITING2,198 reports
GENERAL SYMPTOM2,191 reports
INFLUENZA2,188 reports
SINUSITIS2,119 reports
PROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY2,101 reports
DYSPNOEA2,047 reports
POOR VENOUS ACCESS2,039 reports
MATERNAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY1,990 reports
PRURITUS1,924 reports
INSOMNIA1,905 reports
RASH1,854 reports
MIGRAINE1,839 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER1,745 reports
VISION BLURRED1,730 reports
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM LESION1,671 reports
INFECTION1,620 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL STIFFNESS1,599 reports
COUGH1,589 reports
ABASIA1,587 reports
HERPES ZOSTER1,586 reports
INFLUENZA LIKE ILLNESS1,555 reports
SPEECH DISORDER1,551 reports
URTICARIA1,522 reports
BRONCHITIS1,468 reports
AMNESIA1,450 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED1,429 reports
CYSTITIS1,374 reports
DRUG EFFECT DECREASED1,360 reports
SOMNOLENCE1,355 reports
MUSCLE SPASTICITY1,324 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION1,290 reports
ABORTION SPONTANEOUS1,271 reports
DRUG DOSE OMISSION1,270 reports
CHEST PAIN1,267 reports
COORDINATION ABNORMAL1,225 reports
ALOPECIA1,216 reports
SEIZURE1,214 reports
APHASIA1,176 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER1,175 reports
IMMUNE RECONSTITUTION INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME1,173 reports
CONTUSION1,170 reports
CHILLS1,159 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED1,118 reports
HYPERTENSION1,117 reports
CONVULSION1,113 reports
MENTAL IMPAIRMENT1,093 reports
LOSS OF CONTROL OF LEGS1,065 reports
FLUSHING1,052 reports
DRUG SPECIFIC ANTIBODY PRESENT987 reports
VERTIGO948 reports
CONSTIPATION917 reports
COVID 19914 reports
MYALGIA907 reports
DEPRESSED MOOD903 reports
BURNING SENSATION900 reports
URINARY INCONTINENCE900 reports
DEHYDRATION899 reports
HYPOTENSION888 reports
SEPSIS885 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE880 reports
OFF LABEL USE879 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS878 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High incidence of fatigue and multiple sclerosis relapse.
  • Multiple serious neurological adverse events, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
  • Significant number of reports involving death and serious infections.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 135,988, Male: 40,466, Unknown: 259. The most frequently reported age groups are age 50 (3,467 reports), age 48 (3,422 reports), age 49 (3,393 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 179,310 classified reports for NATALIZUMAB:

  • Serious: 55,808 reports (31.1%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 123,502 reports (68.9%)
Serious 31.1%Non-Serious 68.9%

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

Female135,988 (77.0%)
Male40,466 (22.9%)
Unknown259 (0.1%)

Reports by Age

Age 503,467 reports
Age 483,422 reports
Age 493,393 reports
Age 513,352 reports
Age 473,345 reports
Age 523,263 reports
Age 533,225 reports
Age 463,221 reports
Age 453,152 reports
Age 443,107 reports
Age 423,101 reports
Age 543,005 reports
Age 412,981 reports
Age 432,981 reports
Age 402,935 reports
Age 552,866 reports
Age 392,792 reports
Age 562,678 reports
Age 382,658 reports
Age 372,598 reports

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

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Natalizumab is contraindicated in patients with a history of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Regular monitoring for signs of infection is advised.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Natalizumab, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include fatigue, multiple sclerosis relapse, headache, multiple sclerosis, gait disturbance. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Monitor for signs of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, especially in patients with a history of immunosuppression. Regularly review and adjust dosing as necessary to manage 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

The FDA continues to monitor the safety of natalizumab, particularly for serious neurological and infectious adverse events. Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The FDA has received approximately 289,050 adverse event reports associated with Natalizumab. 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 Natalizumab?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Natalizumab include Fatigue, Multiple Sclerosis Relapse, Headache, Multiple Sclerosis, Gait Disturbance. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Fatigue (19,460 reports), Multiple Sclerosis Relapse (16,794 reports), Headache (9,914 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Natalizumab.

What percentage of Natalizumab adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 179,310 classified reports, 55,808 (31.1%) were classified as serious and 123,502 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 Natalizumab (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Natalizumab break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 135,988, Male: 40,466, Unknown: 259. 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 Natalizumab?

The most frequently reported age groups for Natalizumab adverse events are: age 50: 3,467 reports, age 48: 3,422 reports, age 49: 3,393 reports, age 51: 3,352 reports, age 47: 3,345 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 Natalizumab?

The primary manufacturer associated with Natalizumab adverse event reports is Biogen 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 Natalizumab?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Natalizumab include: Fall, Asthenia, Memory Impairment, Malaise, 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 Natalizumab?

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

Natalizumab 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 and multiple sclerosis relapse are the most common adverse events.

What are the key safety signals for Natalizumab?

Key safety signals identified in Natalizumab's adverse event data include: High incidence of fatigue and multiple sclerosis relapse.. Multiple serious neurological adverse events, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.. Significant number of reports involving death and serious infections.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Natalizumab interact with other drugs?

Natalizumab is contraindicated in patients with a history of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Regular monitoring for signs of infection is advised. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Natalizumab.

What should patients know before taking Natalizumab?

Monitor for signs of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, especially in patients with a history of immunosuppression. Regularly review and adjust dosing as necessary to manage adverse events.

Are Natalizumab side effects well-documented?

Natalizumab has 289,050 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Neurological symptoms such as headache, gait disturbance, and cognitive disorder are frequently reported. The volume of reports for Natalizumab reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Natalizumab?

The FDA continues to monitor the safety of natalizumab, particularly for serious neurological and infectious adverse events. Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

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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.