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Ciclesonide side effects: what 13,540 FDA adverse event reports show

Ciclesonide · Alvesco · 1,165 reaction terms · 130,433 drug–reaction co-reports · data 2026-09-14
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Drug class

Inhaled corticosteroid

FDA label, Indications wording

Brand names

Alvesco

openFDA label

Who reports

13,540 reports · 90% serious · 622 with death outcome · 66% female

openFDA FAERS counts, all years, deduplication not applied

Used for

ALVESCO is indicated for the maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. Limitations of Use : ALVESCO is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm. ALVESCO is not indicated for children under 12 years of age.

FDA label, Indications and Usage

What it is

The active component of ALVESCO 80 mcg, and ALVESCO 160 mcg is ciclesonide, a non-halogenated glucocorticoid having the chemical name pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione, 16,17-[[(R)-cyclohexylmethylene]bis(oxy)]-11-hydroxy-21-(2-methyl-1-oxopropoxy)-,(11β,16α).

FDA label, Description section

Boxed warning

None in the current label

How to read this page. FAERS is a spontaneous-reporting system: counts are not incidence rates and a signal is not proof of causation. Each reaction below is run through an automated screen — is the term in the FDA label (known), in the indications (the disease being treated), an administrative/coding term, or none of these (unlabeled)? That screen is mechanical text matching, not a causality assessment. The 30 hand-written Bradford Hill assessments are on the causality assessment page. Not medical advice.

Causality screen of the 40 strongest signals

Labeled (related wording) 6Likely indication confounding 5Reporting / coding artifact 1Lab value / disease marker 7Not in label — unassessed 21
What the badges mean

Strongest disproportionality signals

Flagged terms (PRR ≥ 2, χ² ≥ 4, n ≥ 10), ranked by PRR; infinite PRRs (no comparator reports) excluded. The EBGM column is a second, shrinkage-based estimate (MGPS) with its 5th percentile EB05 and the BCPNN IC025; a pair flagged by PRR alone is marked PRR-only and should be read as fragile. The strata column recomputes the PRR on serious reports only and flags pairs whose reports are unusually skewed by sex or come mostly from consumers rather than clinicians. 1,125 further terms are in the interactive explorer. Reaction links open the term's cross-drug page.

Show:
ReactionReportsPRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/pEBGM EB05 · IC025Label screenSerious-only & strataTrial cross-check
Plethysmography2538,178.8
5,173.4–281,751.2ROR 38,249.4 · χ² 35,254 / p <1e-300
689.0 EB05 490.8 · IC025 +5.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=25 · ♀ 100% (drug 66%) · 100% consumernot reported in cached trials
Cftr gene mutation207,635.8
2,610.2–22,337.0ROR 7,647.0 · χ² 24,189 / p <1e-300
572.2 EB05 391.1 · IC025 +4.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=20 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Airway remodelling965,429.9
3,544.1–8,319.0ROR 5,468.6 · χ² 113,194 / p <1e-300
962.0 EB05 811.0 · IC025 +7.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=96 · ♀ 33% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Broncholithiasis223,733.0
1,719.2–8,105.8ROR 3,739.1 · χ² 22,759 / p <1e-300
556.5 EB05 387.4 · IC025 +4.7
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
shares a disease stem with the indications wording
serious n=22 · ♀ 100% (drug 66%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Inspiratory capacity abnormal182,748.9
1,269.1–5,953.9ROR 2,752.5 · χ² 16,690 / p <1e-300
479.4 EB05 320.8 · IC025 +4.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=18not reported in cached trials
Total lung capacity increased1682,515.3
1,967.9–3,215.1ROR 2,546.9 · χ² 158,564 / p <1e-300
857.2 EB05 753.8 · IC025 +7.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=168 · ♀ 96% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome3002,140.9
1,797.9–2,549.2ROR 2,189.3 · χ² 266,266 / p <1e-300
843.5 EB05 766.4 · IC025 +8.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=300not reported in cached trials
Congenital hiatus hernia1221,920.7
1,472.0–2,506.3ROR 1,938.2 · χ² 102,834 / p <1e-300
750.3 EB05 645.1 · IC025 +7.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=122 · ♀ 0% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Central nervous system mass511,899.6
1,259.7–2,864.6ROR 1,906.8 · χ² 42,287 / p <1e-300
641.8 EB05 507.1 · IC025 +6.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=51 · ♀ 0% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Spirometry abnormal3171,840.7
1,564.5–2,165.7ROR 1,884.8 · χ² 263,475 / p <1e-300
794.8 EB05 724.1 · IC025 +8.3
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=317 · ♀ 8% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Mite allergy3071,451.5
1,242.7–1,695.4ROR 1,485.2 · χ² 227,413 / p <1e-300
711.4 EB05 647.1 · IC025 +8.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=307 · ♀ 5% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Wall motion score index abnormal511,342.8
922.1–1,955.5ROR 1,347.9 · χ² 35,676 / p <1e-300
563.1 EB05 444.9 · IC025 +6.0
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=51 · ♀ 0% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Lung diffusion test abnormal431,287.6
858.4–1,931.3ROR 1,291.7 · χ² 29,298 / p <1e-300
532.5 EB05 411.8 · IC025 +5.8
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=43 · ♀ 100% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Bronchial neoplasm50898.3
633.7–1,273.4ROR 901.6 · χ² 27,655 / p <1e-300
464.8 EB05 366.4 · IC025 +6.0
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
shares a disease stem with the indications wording
serious n=50 · ♀ 100% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Mycotic allergy300861.2
748.3–991.1ROR 880.7 · χ² 164,270 / p <1e-300
532.2 EB05 483.5 · IC025 +8.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=300 · ♀ 3% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Forced expiratory volume12796.8
396.6–1,600.9ROR 797.5 · χ² 5,755 / p <1e-300
285.6 EB05 174.1 · IC025 +3.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=12not reported in cached trials
Dust allergy316758.8
663.7–867.4ROR 776.9 · χ² 159,263 / p <1e-300
492.1 EB05 448.2 · IC025 +8.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=316 · ♀ 4% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Tympanosclerosis15673.7
367.1–1,236.6ROR 674.5 · χ² 6,532 / p <1e-300
293.1 EB05 188.5 · IC025 +4.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=15not reported in cached trials
Pulmonary vasculitis153633.2
524.8–764.0ROR 640.4 · χ² 67,824 / p <1e-300
424.1 EB05 370.6 · IC025 +7.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=153 · ♀ 0% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Total lung capacity abnormal109623.4
499.3–778.5ROR 628.5 · χ² 47,660 / p <1e-300
410.9 EB05 350.2 · IC025 +6.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=109 · ♀ 0% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Capillaritis63476.3
359.1–631.7ROR 478.5 · χ² 22,416 / p <1e-300
327.2 EB05 264.8 · IC025 +6.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=63 · ♀ 0% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Atopy63453.8
342.7–600.9ROR 455.9 · χ² 21,596 / p <1e-300
316.4 EB05 256.1 · IC025 +6.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=63 · ♀ 0% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Fev1/fvc ratio decreased26426.9
276.5–659.3ROR 427.8 · χ² 8,305 / p <1e-300
268.1 EB05 192.3 · IC025 +4.9
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=26 · ♀ 100% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Bronchial wall thickening151408.1
341.3–488.0ROR 412.7 · χ² 48,075 / p <1e-300
309.6 EB05 270.3 · IC025 +7.0
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
shares a disease stem with the indications wording
serious n=151not reported in cached trials
Laryngeal dyskinesia23394.7
249.6–624.0ROR 395.3 · χ² 6,867 / p <1e-300
249.0 EB05 174.8 · IC025 +4.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=23 · ♀ 100% (drug 66%) · 100% consumernot reported in cached trials
Forced expiratory flow decreased19376.8
228.1–622.4ROR 377.4 · χ² 5,415 / p <1e-300
232.1 EB05 157.0 · IC025 +4.3
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=19not reported in cached trials
Forced expiratory volume decreased496328.8
298.8–361.7ROR 341.2 · χ² 133,113 / p <1e-300
267.9 EB05 248.7 · IC025 +7.6
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=494not reported in cached trials
Reversible airways obstruction88320.0
254.4–402.4ROR 322.1 · χ² 22,872 / p <1e-300
250.3 EB05 209.4 · IC025 +6.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=88 · ♀ 94% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Rib deformity43312.7
225.3–433.9ROR 313.7 · χ² 10,832 / p <1e-300
232.9 EB05 180.1 · IC025 +5.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=42 · ♀ 100% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Obstructive airways disorder1,818301.8
287.9–316.5ROR 348.5 · χ² 455,150 / p <1e-300
251.5 EB05 242.0 · IC025 +7.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 166.8not reported in cached trials
Eosinophilic bronchitis33301.8
207.8–438.2ROR 302.5 · χ² 8,011 / p <1e-300
220.1 EB05 164.0 · IC025 +5.2
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
shares a disease stem with the indications wording
serious n=33not reported in cached trials
Bronchial haemorrhage51299.6
222.0–404.2ROR 300.7 · χ² 12,439 / p <1e-300
229.1 EB05 181.1 · IC025 +5.7
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
shares a disease stem with the indications wording
serious n=51 · ♀ 100% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials
Eosinophil count abnormal114279.9
229.4–341.5ROR 282.3 · χ² 26,539 / p <1e-300
227.7 EB05 194.7 · IC025 +6.6
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=114not reported in cached trials
Blood immunoglobulin e decreased23268.1
172.2–417.5ROR 268.6 · χ² 4,982 / p <1e-300
192.0 EB05 134.8 · IC025 +4.6
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=23 · ♀ 100% (drug 66%)not reported in cached trials

Trial evidence (ClinicalTrials.gov)

✓ Trial adverse-event data found on ClinicalTrials.gov

Largest completed trials with posted results that list Ciclesonide as a study intervention. The right-hand column of the signal table shows whether each FAERS term was also recorded in these trials, with a real denominator (0 of 40 signal terms matched).

Caveats: trial populations, doses and follow-up differ from the reporting population; AE terms are sponsor-coded and matched here by wording; absence from a trial list means the term was not reported above the sponsor's frequency threshold, not that it cannot occur.

Most frequently reported reactions

By raw co-report count, regardless of disproportionality. Common terms here are often the illness itself or generic outcomes.

ReactionReportsPRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/pEBGM EB05 · IC025Label screenSerious-only & strataTrial cross-check
Asthma5,85885.4
83.7–87.1ROR 149.7 · χ² 465,115 / p <1e-300
80.9 EB05 79.2 · IC025 +6.3
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
term in indications; also in warnings
serious PRR 71.6NCT00404547: 1/741 (0.1%) on Ciclesonide (serious AE)
Dyspnoea (shortness of breath)4,62112.7
12.5–13.1ROR 18.8 · χ² 50,985 / p <1e-300
12.7 EB05 12.3 · IC025 +3.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 11.0not reported in cached trials
Wheezing3,710103.6
100.7–106.6ROR 142.4 · χ² 354,022 / p <1e-300
97.1 EB05 94.5 · IC025 +6.5
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 84.7not reported in cached trials
Therapeutic product effect incomplete2,59859.1
57.0–61.2ROR 72.8 · χ² 143,179 / p <1e-300
56.9 EB05 55.1 · IC025 +5.8
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 68.0not reported in cached trials
Cough2,57814.4
13.9–14.9ROR 17.5 · χ² 32,246 / p <1e-300
14.3 EB05 13.8 · IC025 +3.8
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 15.7NCT00953147: 19/475 (4.0%) on Ciclesonide; 8/243 (3.3%) control
Obstructive airways disorder1,818301.8
287.9–316.5ROR 348.5 · χ² 455,150 / p <1e-300
251.5 EB05 242.0 · IC025 +7.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 166.8not reported in cached trials
Loss of personal independence in daily activities1,78360.3
57.7–63.0ROR 69.3 · χ² 100,219 / p <1e-300
58.0 EB05 55.8 · IC025 +5.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 48.6not reported in cached trials
Pneumonia (lung infection)1,7728.5
8.2–8.9ROR 9.7 · χ² 11,891 / p <1e-300
8.5 EB05 8.2 · IC025 +3.0
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 5.6NCT00953147: 1/298 (0.3%) on Ciclesonide (serious AE)
Drug ineffective (drug did not work)1,5541.8
1.7–1.9ROR 1.9 · χ² 621 / p 2e-137
1.8 EB05 1.8 · IC025 +0.8Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 3.1not reported in cached trials
Productive cough (cough with phlegm)1,51851.3
48.9–53.8ROR 57.6 · χ² 72,537 / p <1e-300
49.6 EB05 47.6 · IC025 +5.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 46.7not reported in cached trials
Sleep disorder due to a general medical condition1,486156.8
149.0–164.9ROR 176.0 · χ² 208,627 / p <1e-300
142.0 EB05 136.1 · IC025 +7.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 179.2not reported in cached trials
Fatigue (tiredness)1,2932.6
2.4–2.7ROR 2.7 · χ² 1,296 / p 5e-284
2.6 EB05 2.5 · IC025 +1.3
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 2.9not reported in cached trials
Chest discomfort1,20718.5
17.6–19.6ROR 20.3 · χ² 19,864 / p <1e-300
18.3 EB05 17.5 · IC025 +4.1
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 17.1not reported in cached trials
Malaise (feeling unwell)1,1504.1
3.8–4.3ROR 4.3 · χ² 2,698 / p <1e-300
4.0 EB05 3.9 · IC025 +1.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 4.3not reported in cached trials
Condition aggravated1,0805.6
5.2–5.9ROR 5.9 · χ² 4,073 / p <1e-300
5.5 EB05 5.3 · IC025 +2.4
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 5.2not reported in cached trials

Unlabeled candidate signals

These flagged terms were not found in the FDA label text and do not match an artifact pattern. They are the pairs that would merit a structured assessment (temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across databases, trial or cohort evidence). The screen has not done that; string-matching misses label wording, and a strong PRR can still be stimulated reporting, co-medication, or the disease itself.

Want to assess one of these properly? The runbook describes the Bradford Hill / trial-evidence workflow used on the assessment page, and handoff_top1000_signals.csv lists the strongest unassessed pairs across all drugs.

Common questions

What are the most reported side effects of Ciclesonide?

In FDA FAERS, the most frequently co-reported reaction terms for Ciclesonide are asthma, dyspnoea, wheezing, cough, obstructive airways disorder, loss of personal independence in daily activities. These are report counts, not rates: FAERS has no denominator, reporting is voluntary and uneven, and a term can be reported because of the illness being treated rather than the drug.

Does Ciclesonide have an FDA boxed warning?

No. The FDA label retrieved for Ciclesonide has no boxed warning; see the label's Warnings and Precautions for the recognised risks.

Do FAERS signals prove that Ciclesonide causes these side effects?

No. A disproportionality signal (PRR, ROR) means a reaction is reported more often with this drug than with others in the database. That can reflect a real effect, but also the disease being treated, stimulated reporting after news or litigation, co-medications, or how reports are coded. Causality needs temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across data sources and, ideally, trial or cohort evidence. This page screens each term against the FDA label and ClinicalTrials.gov results; it does not establish causation.

Sources & methods

Page generated 2026-10-08. Label and PubChem text are retrieved automatically and may lag the current label; always check the current prescribing information. OpenPV is a beta research tool of the Open Source Medicine Foundation.