NILOTINIB

82/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

High Serious Adverse Event Rate for Nilotinib

60,790 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About NILOTINIB

NILOTINIB is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Based on analysis of 60,790 FDA adverse event reports, NILOTINIB has a safety score of 82 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 NILOTINIB include DEATH, FATIGUE, RASH, NAUSEA, HEADACHE. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for NILOTINIB.

AI Safety Analysis

Nilotinib has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 60,790 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Death, Fatigue, Rash. Of classified reports, 73.5% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. The most common serious adverse events include death, myocardial infarction, and pleural effusion.

Fatigue, rash, and nausea are among the most frequently reported non-serious adverse events. The adverse event profile is diverse, with over 100 distinct reactions reported.

Patients taking Nilotinib should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Nilotinib can cause significant drug interactions, including QT prolongation and increased risk of arrhythmias. Patients should avoid certain drugs that can affect the heart rhythm. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 82/100

Nilotinib received a safety concern score of 82/100 (high concern). This is based on a 73.5% serious event ratio across 28,903 classified reports. The score accounts for 60,790 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

DEATH3,200 reports
FATIGUE2,081 reports
RASH1,631 reports
NAUSEA1,514 reports
HEADACHE1,459 reports
DYSPNOEA1,366 reports
PAIN1,330 reports
DIARRHOEA1,196 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE1,177 reports
MALAISE1,121 reports
PRURITUS1,121 reports
PYREXIA1,121 reports
ARTHRALGIA1,060 reports
ASTHENIA1,041 reports
VOMITING1,039 reports
DIZZINESS902 reports
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION885 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY861 reports
MYALGIA819 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED818 reports
CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKAEMIA817 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN800 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER785 reports
DRUG INTOLERANCE767 reports
ANAEMIA757 reports
PLEURAL EFFUSION757 reports
COUGH736 reports
DECREASED APPETITE717 reports
MALIGNANT NEOPLASM PROGRESSION710 reports
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM QT PROLONGED709 reports
ANXIETY702 reports
CHEST PAIN639 reports
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT637 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED625 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA622 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED604 reports
PNEUMONIA589 reports
ALOPECIA584 reports
HYPERTENSION570 reports
CONSTIPATION551 reports
INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION543 reports
FALL525 reports
BACK PAIN512 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS504 reports
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS503 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT INCREASED503 reports
DRUG RESISTANCE493 reports
INSOMNIA487 reports
CYTOGENETIC ANALYSIS ABNORMAL483 reports
BONE PAIN473 reports
INJURY445 reports
PANCREATITIS441 reports
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS437 reports
INCORRECT DOSE ADMINISTERED416 reports
PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL OCCLUSIVE DISEASE406 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED403 reports
BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED388 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE385 reports
SECOND PRIMARY MALIGNANCY375 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL371 reports
SYNCOPE367 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED365 reports
SOMNOLENCE362 reports
DIABETES MELLITUS359 reports
ANGINA PECTORIS357 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION356 reports
OFF LABEL USE353 reports
BLOOD BILIRUBIN INCREASED350 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT346 reports
SEPSIS345 reports
VISION BLURRED343 reports
CHILLS339 reports
CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE338 reports
PANCYTOPENIA334 reports
TACHYCARDIA332 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS319 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED319 reports
DRY SKIN318 reports
DRUG INTERACTION308 reports
DYSPEPSIA305 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION303 reports
CARDIO RESPIRATORY ARREST296 reports
BLINDNESS295 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE294 reports
PALPITATIONS294 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA287 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL287 reports
ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION284 reports
DEPRESSION284 reports
CARDIAC DISORDER280 reports
INFLUENZA274 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING272 reports
EYE PAIN260 reports
NEUTROPENIA257 reports
ASCITES256 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY251 reports
BLAST CRISIS IN MYELOGENOUS LEUKAEMIA249 reports
LIPASE INCREASED249 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT246 reports
ABDOMINAL DISTENSION244 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Death
  • Myocardial infarction
  • Pleural effusion
  • Drug intolerance
  • Pain

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Male: 13,728, Female: 12,449, Unknown: 128. The most frequently reported age groups are age 60 (402 reports), age 65 (383 reports), age 70 (351 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 28,903 classified reports for NILOTINIB:

  • Serious: 21,234 reports (73.5%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 7,669 reports (26.5%)
Serious 73.5%Non-Serious 26.5%

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

Male13,728 (52.2%)
Female12,449 (47.3%)
Unknown128 (0.5%)

Reports by Age

Age 60402 reports
Age 65383 reports
Age 70351 reports
Age 55340 reports
Age 64336 reports
Age 61330 reports
Age 62327 reports
Age 69327 reports
Age 50326 reports
Age 67319 reports
Age 66317 reports
Age 63308 reports
Age 58301 reports
Age 59299 reports
Age 57291 reports
Age 68288 reports
Age 53287 reports
Age 49281 reports
Age 56277 reports
Age 72273 reports

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

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Nilotinib can cause significant drug interactions, including QT prolongation and increased risk of arrhythmias. Patients should avoid certain drugs that can affect the heart rhythm.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Nilotinib, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include death, fatigue, rash, nausea, headache. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Monitor closely for signs of serious adverse events such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss. Follow prescribed dosing instructions and do not alter the schedule without consulting a healthcare provider. 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 regular safety updates. Patients should report any adverse events to their healthcare provider immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The FDA has received approximately 60,790 adverse event reports associated with Nilotinib. 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 Nilotinib?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Nilotinib include Death, Fatigue, Rash, Nausea, Headache. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Death (3,200 reports), Fatigue (2,081 reports), Rash (1,631 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Nilotinib.

What percentage of Nilotinib adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 28,903 classified reports, 21,234 (73.5%) were classified as serious and 7,669 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 Nilotinib (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Nilotinib break down by patient sex as follows: Male: 13,728, Female: 12,449, Unknown: 128. 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 Nilotinib?

The most frequently reported age groups for Nilotinib adverse events are: age 60: 402 reports, age 65: 383 reports, age 70: 351 reports, age 55: 340 reports, age 64: 336 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 Nilotinib?

The primary manufacturer associated with Nilotinib adverse event reports is Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. 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 Nilotinib?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Nilotinib include: Dyspnoea, Pain, Diarrhoea, Drug Ineffective, Malaise. 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 Nilotinib?

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

Nilotinib has a safety concern score of 82 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. The most common serious adverse events include death, myocardial infarction, and pleural effusion.

What are the key safety signals for Nilotinib?

Key safety signals identified in Nilotinib's adverse event data include: Death. Myocardial infarction. Pleural effusion. Drug intolerance. Pain. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Nilotinib interact with other drugs?

Nilotinib can cause significant drug interactions, including QT prolongation and increased risk of arrhythmias. Patients should avoid certain drugs that can affect the heart rhythm. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Nilotinib.

What should patients know before taking Nilotinib?

Monitor closely for signs of serious adverse events such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss. Follow prescribed dosing instructions and do not alter the schedule without consulting a healthcare provider.

Are Nilotinib side effects well-documented?

Nilotinib has 60,790 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Fatigue, rash, and nausea are among the most frequently reported non-serious adverse events. The volume of reports for Nilotinib reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Nilotinib?

Regulatory oversight is ongoing, with the FDA requiring regular safety updates. Patients should report any adverse events to their healthcare provider immediately. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

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

AmiodaroneQuinidineDofetilidePimozideSotalol
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.