PREDNISONE

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Granulation Technology, Inc.

Prednisone Adverse Events: High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

1,354,057 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About PREDNISONE

PREDNISONE is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Granulation Technology, Inc.. Based on analysis of 1,354,057 FDA adverse event reports, PREDNISONE 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 PREDNISONE include DRUG INEFFECTIVE, OFF LABEL USE, FATIGUE, PAIN, DYSPNOEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for PREDNISONE.

AI Safety Analysis

Prednisone 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 1,354,057 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Granulation Technology, Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Drug Ineffective, Off Label Use, Fatigue. Of classified reports, 78.5% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Prednisone reports show a high percentage of serious adverse events (78.5%).

The most common reactions include fatigue, pain, and dyspnea, indicating a broad range of potential side effects. Death and pneumonia are among the top serious reactions, highlighting significant risks.

Patients taking Prednisone should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Prednisone can interact with other drugs, potentially leading to adverse effects. Warnings include drug intolerance, hyper-sensitivity, and contraindications. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Prednisone received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 78.5% serious event ratio across 482,716 classified reports. The score accounts for 1,354,057 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

DRUG INEFFECTIVE64,638 reports
OFF LABEL USE53,163 reports
FATIGUE39,613 reports
PAIN36,926 reports
DYSPNOEA33,816 reports
ARTHRALGIA32,402 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED27,785 reports
NAUSEA27,696 reports
DIARRHOEA27,466 reports
HEADACHE25,773 reports
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS24,416 reports
PNEUMONIA24,084 reports
RASH22,254 reports
PYREXIA21,126 reports
MALAISE20,285 reports
COUGH18,699 reports
VOMITING18,452 reports
ASTHENIA17,719 reports
JOINT SWELLING17,601 reports
ASTHMA17,257 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED16,991 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY16,742 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED16,564 reports
DIZZINESS15,593 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS14,598 reports
PRURITUS14,566 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT14,430 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING14,333 reports
ALOPECIA13,963 reports
HYPERTENSION13,736 reports
DEATH13,564 reports
DRUG INTOLERANCE13,366 reports
INFECTION13,339 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN13,162 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY12,616 reports
SWELLING12,598 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION12,499 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY12,313 reports
FALL12,248 reports
WHEEZING11,848 reports
INFUSION RELATED REACTION11,569 reports
SINUSITIS11,459 reports
ARTHROPATHY11,353 reports
INTENTIONAL PRODUCT USE ISSUE11,268 reports
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS11,037 reports
BACK PAIN10,978 reports
INSOMNIA10,895 reports
TREATMENT FAILURE10,698 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE10,399 reports
THERAPEUTIC PRODUCT EFFECT INCOMPLETE10,324 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL STIFFNESS10,174 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED9,805 reports
CONTRAINDICATED PRODUCT ADMINISTERED9,763 reports
DECREASED APPETITE9,702 reports
URTICARIA9,660 reports
ANXIETY9,568 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE9,435 reports
COVID 199,239 reports
ANAEMIA9,045 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER9,042 reports
HEPATIC ENZYME INCREASED8,940 reports
CHEST PAIN8,938 reports
LOSS OF PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE IN DAILY ACTIVITIES8,935 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION8,911 reports
PEMPHIGUS8,897 reports
SYNOVITIS8,642 reports
GLOSSODYNIA8,332 reports
INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION8,324 reports
DEPRESSION8,097 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE7,996 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY7,841 reports
THERAPEUTIC PRODUCT EFFECT DECREASED7,839 reports
MATERNAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY7,833 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA7,785 reports
HAND DEFORMITY7,693 reports
WOUND7,648 reports
ARTHRITIS7,622 reports
CONTUSION7,621 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION7,600 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDER7,541 reports
DISCOMFORT7,531 reports
DISEASE PROGRESSION7,485 reports
COLITIS ULCERATIVE7,222 reports
MOBILITY DECREASED7,175 reports
INJECTION SITE PAIN7,128 reports
HYPOTENSION7,125 reports
LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION7,087 reports
SEPSIS6,806 reports
CROHN^S DISEASE6,764 reports
INFLUENZA6,754 reports
ERYTHEMA6,723 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL6,624 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL6,569 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS6,495 reports
PERICARDITIS6,458 reports
CONSTIPATION6,374 reports
INFLAMMATION6,353 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE6,274 reports
STOMATITIS6,219 reports
NEUTROPENIA6,203 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High percentage of serious reactions (379,096 out of 482,716, 78.5%)
  • Diverse reactions including respiratory issues, infections, and musculoskeletal problems
  • Significant number of reports related to death and pneumonia

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 257,446, Male: 169,770, Unknown: 2,032. The most frequently reported age groups are age 65 (8,661 reports), age 60 (8,169 reports), age 64 (7,808 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 482,716 classified reports for PREDNISONE:

  • Serious: 379,096 reports (78.5%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 103,620 reports (21.5%)
Serious 78.5%Non-Serious 21.5%

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

Female257,446 (60.0%)
Male169,770 (39.6%)
Unknown2,032 (0.5%)

Reports by Age

Age 658,661 reports
Age 608,169 reports
Age 647,808 reports
Age 627,663 reports
Age 617,643 reports
Age 637,606 reports
Age 597,580 reports
Age 667,333 reports
Age 677,267 reports
Age 687,055 reports
Age 586,999 reports
Age 706,992 reports
Age 696,973 reports
Age 576,829 reports
Age 566,709 reports
Age 726,630 reports
Age 716,437 reports
Age 546,157 reports
Age 556,120 reports
Age 536,112 reports

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

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Prednisone can interact with other drugs, potentially leading to adverse effects. Warnings include drug intolerance, hyper-sensitivity, and contraindications.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Prednisone, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include drug ineffective, off label use, fatigue, pain, dyspnoea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Consult healthcare providers before starting or stopping prednisone, especially for long-term use. Report any unusual symptoms or side effects 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 prednisone safety, with ongoing reviews to ensure patient safety and efficacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The FDA has received approximately 1,354,057 adverse event reports associated with Prednisone. 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 Prednisone?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Prednisone include Drug Ineffective, Off Label Use, Fatigue, Pain, Dyspnoea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Drug Ineffective (64,638 reports), Off Label Use (53,163 reports), Fatigue (39,613 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Prednisone.

What percentage of Prednisone adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 482,716 classified reports, 379,096 (78.5%) were classified as serious and 103,620 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 Prednisone (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Prednisone break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 257,446, Male: 169,770, Unknown: 2,032. 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 Prednisone?

The most frequently reported age groups for Prednisone adverse events are: age 65: 8,661 reports, age 60: 8,169 reports, age 64: 7,808 reports, age 62: 7,663 reports, age 61: 7,643 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 Prednisone?

The primary manufacturer associated with Prednisone adverse event reports is Granulation Technology, 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 Prednisone?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Prednisone include: Arthralgia, Condition Aggravated, Nausea, 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 Prednisone?

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

Prednisone 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. Prednisone reports show a high percentage of serious adverse events (78.5%).

What are the key safety signals for Prednisone?

Key safety signals identified in Prednisone's adverse event data include: High percentage of serious reactions (379,096 out of 482,716, 78.5%). Diverse reactions including respiratory issues, infections, and musculoskeletal problems. Significant number of reports related to death and pneumonia. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Prednisone interact with other drugs?

Prednisone can interact with other drugs, potentially leading to adverse effects. Warnings include drug intolerance, hyper-sensitivity, and contraindications. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Prednisone.

What should patients know before taking Prednisone?

Consult healthcare providers before starting or stopping prednisone, especially for long-term use. Report any unusual symptoms or side effects to your healthcare provider immediately.

Are Prednisone side effects well-documented?

Prednisone has 1,354,057 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. The most common reactions include fatigue, pain, and dyspnea, indicating a broad range of potential side effects. The volume of reports for Prednisone reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Prednisone?

The FDA continues to monitor prednisone safety, with ongoing reviews to ensure patient safety and efficacy. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

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

PrednisoneIbuprofenAspirinWarfarinAmoxicillin
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.