Erbituxcetuximab
According to the FDA label: ERBITUX ® is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antagonist indicated for treatment of: Head and Neck Cancer Locally or regionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in combination with radiation therapy. ( 1.1 , 14.1 ) Recurrent locoregional disease or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in combination with platinum-based therapy with fluorouracil.
30,785 adverse event reports submitted to the FDA (2004–2026)
Top Reported Adverse Events
The most frequently reported events in association with Erbitux in the FAERS database. These are events reported by patients taking this medication, not necessarily caused by it. A single report may include multiple events.
Show these terms with plain-language definitions
Tap any term below for a plain-language definition.
Rash 2,256 reports
An area of irritated, red, or bumpy skin.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Diarrhoea 2,003 reports
Loose or watery bowel movements, often frequent. Also spelled diarrhea in American English.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Off Label Use 1,854 reports
Using a medication for a condition or in a way that the FDA has not officially approved. This is common and often legal, and a report of it does not mean something went wrong. Doctors sometimes prescribe drugs off label based on their judgment.
Full definition in the glossary →Nausea 1,633 reports
The feeling of sickness in your stomach that often comes before vomiting.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Vomiting 1,381 reports
Throwing up the contents of the stomach.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Dyspnoea 1,375 reports
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Also spelled dyspnea in American English.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Neutropenia 1,213 reports
A low level of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that fights infection.
Full definition in the glossary →Pyrexia 1,118 reports
The medical term for fever, meaning a raised body temperature.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Dehydration 1,102 reports
A condition where the body does not have enough water.
Full definition in the glossary →Infusion Related Reaction 1,098 reports
A reaction that happens during or shortly after a medication is given through an IV infusion.
Full definition in the glossary →Malignant Neoplasm Progression 1,084 reports
A report that a cancer grew or spread. This describes the course of the illness, not necessarily an effect of the drug. Malignant neoplasm is the medical term for a cancerous growth.
Full definition in the glossary →Death 1,062 reports
A report that the person died. A death appearing in reports for a drug does not mean the drug caused it. Reports record that a death occurred while the medication was being used, which can happen for many unrelated reasons.
Full definition in the glossary →Fatigue 1,062 reports
Extreme tiredness or lack of energy that does not improve with rest.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Hypotension 919 reports
Anaemia 913 reports
A condition where there are too few healthy red blood cells to carry enough oxygen, often causing tiredness and paleness. Also spelled anemia in American English.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →
Ranked by frequency of reports, not severity. The most-reported event is not necessarily the most dangerous or the most common in patients taking this drug.
Who Is Reporting
Demographics of patients in FAERS reports that included this information. Not all reports include patient demographics.
By Sex
View reporter sex data as a table
| Sex | Reports |
|---|---|
| Male | 17,441 |
| Female | 8,829 |
| Unknown | 251 |
By Age Group
View age group data as a table
| Age group | Reports |
|---|---|
| 0-17 | 466 |
| 18-34 | 445 |
| 35-49 | 2,247 |
| 50-64 | 8,420 |
| 65-74 | 6,715 |
| 75+ | 2,919 |
This shows who filed reports, reflecting who takes this drug and who tends to report, not who is at greatest risk.
Reported Outcomes
Outcomes recorded in FAERS reports that included Erbitux. A single report may involve multiple reactions, each with a different outcome. These categories are defined by FDA reporting guidelines, not by PillSignal.
View outcome data as a table
| Outcome | Reports |
|---|---|
| Other Serious | 13,815 |
| Hospitalization | 12,378 |
| Non-Serious | 4,604 |
| Death | 4,187 |
| Life-Threatening | 2,294 |
| Disability | 461 |
Serious outcomes are far more likely to be reported than mild ones, so this overstates how often outcomes are serious. A recorded death does not mean the drug caused it.
Report Volume Over Time
Number of FAERS reports received per quarter for Erbitux. Changes in volume may reflect shifts in prescribing rates, media attention, or reporting behavior, not changes in the medication's safety profile.
View report trend as a table
| Year | Reports |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 691 |
| 2005 | 1,075 |
| 2006 | 1,313 |
| 2007 | 1,079 |
| 2008 | 1,212 |
| 2009 | 1,407 |
| 2010 | 1,576 |
| 2011 | 1,640 |
| 2012 | 1,656 |
| 2013 | 1,541 |
| 2014 | 1,570 |
| 2015 | 1,412 |
| 2016 | 1,537 |
| 2017 | 1,913 |
| 2018 | 1,472 |
| 2019 | 1,437 |
| 2020 | 1,152 |
| 2021 | 1,237 |
| 2022 | 1,283 |
| 2023 | 1,385 |
| 2024 | 1,371 |
| 2025 | 1,468 |
| 2026 (partial) | 358 |
The steep increase around 2004 reflects the FDA's move to electronic submission, not a change in this drug's safety. Trends track reporting volume, not risk.
Medications commonly reported with Erbitux
In FDA adverse event reports that mention Erbitux, these medications appeared most often in the same report.
- Fluorouracil (6,045 reports)
- Fluorouracil % (6,043 reports)
- Oxaliplatin (4,225 reports)
- Cisplatin (3,532 reports)
- Carboplatin (2,762 reports)
This reflects co-occurrence in submitted reports, not evidence of drug interaction or combined risk. People often report several medications taken for the same condition or for unrelated reasons. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your specific medications.
Related Drugs
Other medications with similar adverse event profiles in FDA FAERS reports.
Data Source
This data is sourced from the FDA's Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS), formerly FAERS, via the OpenFDA API. PillSignal is not affiliated with the FDA.
View this data on the FDA website →Data last updated: June 2026