USTEKINUMAB

65/100 · Elevated

Manufactured by Janssen Biotech, Inc.

Ustekinumab Adverse Events: Moderate Safety Concerns

346,490 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About USTEKINUMAB

USTEKINUMAB is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Janssen Biotech, Inc.. Based on analysis of 346,490 FDA adverse event reports, USTEKINUMAB has a safety score of 65 out of 100. This moderate score indicates a notable volume of adverse event reports that patients and providers should be aware of. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for USTEKINUMAB include DRUG INEFFECTIVE, OFF LABEL USE, PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE, FATIGUE, PSORIASIS. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for USTEKINUMAB.

AI Safety Analysis

Ustekinumab has a safety concern score of 65 out of 100, placing it in the elevated concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 346,490 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Janssen Biotech, Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Drug Ineffective, Off Label Use, Product Dose Omission Issue. Of classified reports, 58.9% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Fatigue and rash are among the most common adverse events reported.

Serious adverse events, such as pneumonia and infection, are concerning. Drug intolerance and product use issues are frequent, indicating potential misuse.

Patients taking Ustekinumab should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Ustekinumab may interact with other immunosuppressants, and patients should avoid self-administration to prevent misuse. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 65/100

Ustekinumab received a safety concern score of 65/100 (elevated concern). This is based on a 58.9% serious event ratio across 98,770 classified reports. The score accounts for 346,490 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

DRUG INEFFECTIVE14,435 reports
OFF LABEL USE12,254 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE9,763 reports
FATIGUE6,589 reports
PSORIASIS6,433 reports
PAIN6,033 reports
ARTHRALGIA5,628 reports
CROHN^S DISEASE5,563 reports
RASH5,437 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE5,310 reports
HEADACHE5,129 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED5,056 reports
INFUSION RELATED REACTION4,945 reports
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS4,644 reports
JOINT SWELLING4,567 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY4,467 reports
DIARRHOEA4,464 reports
SYNOVITIS4,423 reports
ALOPECIA4,408 reports
HEPATIC ENZYME INCREASED4,304 reports
NAUSEA4,267 reports
PNEUMONIA4,198 reports
PSORIATIC ARTHROPATHY4,189 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT4,160 reports
DRUG INTOLERANCE4,134 reports
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS4,066 reports
LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION4,019 reports
WOUND3,949 reports
ARTHROPATHY3,891 reports
SWELLING3,882 reports
HAND DEFORMITY3,814 reports
GLOSSODYNIA3,809 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION3,805 reports
TREATMENT FAILURE3,730 reports
PEMPHIGUS3,724 reports
PERICARDITIS3,678 reports
MALAISE3,527 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS3,481 reports
ANTI CYCLIC CITRULLINATED PEPTIDE ANTIBODY POSITIVE3,449 reports
THERAPEUTIC PRODUCT EFFECT DECREASED3,374 reports
PRURITUS3,370 reports
INFECTION3,321 reports
DISCOMFORT3,245 reports
VOMITING3,192 reports
HYPERTENSION3,173 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL STIFFNESS3,073 reports
HELICOBACTER INFECTION3,019 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED2,937 reports
PYREXIA2,927 reports
DUODENAL ULCER PERFORATION2,926 reports
URTICARIA2,914 reports
DYSPNOEA2,904 reports
RHEUMATOID FACTOR POSITIVE2,848 reports
MATERNAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY2,754 reports
SINUSITIS2,748 reports
CONTRAINDICATED PRODUCT ADMINISTERED2,743 reports
BLISTER2,741 reports
TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS2,719 reports
MOBILITY DECREASED2,713 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING2,696 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY2,644 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY2,626 reports
DIZZINESS2,578 reports
INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION2,541 reports
BLOOD CHOLESTEROL INCREASED2,526 reports
STOMATITIS2,522 reports
INJURY2,513 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE2,502 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA2,494 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN2,430 reports
IMPAIRED HEALING2,412 reports
FOLLICULITIS2,403 reports
RHEUMATIC FEVER2,387 reports
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME2,344 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDER2,297 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION2,269 reports
FIBROMYALGIA2,267 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER2,253 reports
SYRINGE ISSUE2,217 reports
EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY2,166 reports
DECREASED APPETITE2,161 reports
ASTHENIA2,090 reports
INTENTIONAL PRODUCT USE ISSUE2,045 reports
INSOMNIA2,041 reports
MUSCLE INJURY2,018 reports
NEEDLE ISSUE1,999 reports
DRUG DOSE OMISSION1,984 reports
INFLAMMATION1,958 reports
SLEEP DISORDER1,946 reports
WHEEZING1,923 reports
LIVER INJURY1,899 reports
ILL DEFINED DISORDER1,887 reports
CONTUSION1,851 reports
OSTEOARTHRITIS1,843 reports
DEVICE ISSUE1,837 reports
SWOLLEN JOINT COUNT INCREASED1,804 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED1,760 reports
CHEST PAIN1,720 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS1,689 reports
C REACTIVE PROTEIN ABNORMAL1,683 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Pneumonia and other respiratory infections are reported as serious adverse events.
  • Infections and infusions related reactions are key safety signals.
  • Drug intolerance and product dose omission issues are significant.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 51,238, Male: 34,660, Unknown: 192. The most frequently reported age groups are age 43 (2,196 reports), age 44 (2,137 reports), age 40 (1,555 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 98,770 classified reports for USTEKINUMAB:

  • Serious: 58,173 reports (58.9%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 40,597 reports (41.1%)
Serious 58.9%Non-Serious 41.1%

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

Female51,238 (59.5%)
Male34,660 (40.3%)
Unknown192 (0.2%)

Reports by Age

Age 432,196 reports
Age 442,137 reports
Age 401,555 reports
Age 591,346 reports
Age 541,181 reports
Age 501,178 reports
Age 601,166 reports
Age 571,091 reports
Age 521,087 reports
Age 611,087 reports
Age 551,086 reports
Age 581,082 reports
Age 481,069 reports
Age 621,067 reports
Age 561,042 reports
Age 511,034 reports
Age 411,032 reports
Age 631,018 reports
Age 53997 reports
Age 34990 reports

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

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Ustekinumab may interact with other immunosuppressants, and patients should avoid self-administration to prevent misuse.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Ustekinumab, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include drug ineffective, off label use, product dose omission issue, fatigue, psoriasis. 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 signs of infection or respiratory issues immediately. Follow prescribed dosing instructions strictly to avoid 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 Ustekinumab for safety, particularly for serious infections and respiratory issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The FDA has received approximately 346,490 adverse event reports associated with Ustekinumab. 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 Ustekinumab?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Ustekinumab include Drug Ineffective, Off Label Use, Product Dose Omission Issue, Fatigue, Psoriasis. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Drug Ineffective (14,435 reports), Off Label Use (12,254 reports), Product Dose Omission Issue (9,763 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Ustekinumab.

What percentage of Ustekinumab adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 98,770 classified reports, 58,173 (58.9%) were classified as serious and 40,597 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 Ustekinumab (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Ustekinumab break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 51,238, Male: 34,660, Unknown: 192. 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 Ustekinumab?

The most frequently reported age groups for Ustekinumab adverse events are: age 43: 2,196 reports, age 44: 2,137 reports, age 40: 1,555 reports, age 59: 1,346 reports, age 54: 1,181 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 Ustekinumab?

The primary manufacturer associated with Ustekinumab adverse event reports is Janssen Biotech, 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 Ustekinumab?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Ustekinumab include: Pain, Arthralgia, Crohn^S Disease, Rash, Product Use Issue. 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 Ustekinumab?

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

Ustekinumab has a safety concern score of 65 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 rash are among the most common adverse events reported.

What are the key safety signals for Ustekinumab?

Key safety signals identified in Ustekinumab's adverse event data include: Pneumonia and other respiratory infections are reported as serious adverse events.. Infections and infusions related reactions are key safety signals.. Drug intolerance and product dose omission issues are significant.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Ustekinumab interact with other drugs?

Ustekinumab may interact with other immunosuppressants, and patients should avoid self-administration to prevent misuse. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Ustekinumab.

What should patients know before taking Ustekinumab?

Patients should report any signs of infection or respiratory issues immediately. Follow prescribed dosing instructions strictly to avoid adverse reactions.

Are Ustekinumab side effects well-documented?

Ustekinumab has 346,490 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Serious adverse events, such as pneumonia and infection, are concerning. The volume of reports for Ustekinumab reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Ustekinumab?

The FDA continues to monitor Ustekinumab for safety, particularly for serious infections and respiratory issues. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

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

ImmunosuppressantsAntibioticsOther biologics
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.