A pharmacovigilance study of FDA adverse events for sugammadex.

Background: Sugammadex, a selective steroidal neuromuscular blocking agent reversal agent, is increasingly employed for the rapid restoration of neuromuscular function. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of sugammadex's safety profile.

Methods: Adverse events (AEs) related to sugammadex reported in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database from January 2009 to September 2023 were extracted. Disproportionality analysis with four measures: reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN), and multi-item gamma Poisson shrinker (MGPS) were employed to detect significant AEs. We also inspected for unexpected AEs absent from the sugammadex FDA approval documentation and categorized AEs based on the latest version (26.1) of 'Important Medical Event Terms List (IME list)' developed by the EudraVigilance Expert Working Group.

Results: A total of 1452 reports were linked to sugammadex. At the preferred terms (PTs) levels, 98 sugammadex-related AEs were identified, including "anaphylactic reaction", "bradycardia", "bronchospasm" and "cardiac arrest". Among them, 37 representing unexpected events were absent from official FDA labeling, and 50 AEs were recognized as IME warranting observation. Notably, 19 PTs denoted serious AEs were absent from labeling yet needing IME surveillance, including: "Kounis syndrome", "angioedema", "pulseless electrical activity" and "laryngeal edema".

Conclusion: The study identified unexpected and potentially life-threatening AEs associated with sugammadex, a valuable agent for rapidly reversing neuromuscular blockade. Clinicians are advised to be mindful of these potential risks, particularly in patients with allergies or existing cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.