OpenClaim

Cetyl Side Effects

The most commonly reported side effects of cetyl include pruritus, dry skin, and skin exfoliation, based on 115 FDA adverse event reports from 2004 to 2025. 10.4% of reports found the drug to be ineffective.

Cetyl side effects

Percentages show how often each reaction appears relative to total reports for cetyl.

1
Pruritus20.9%24
2
Dry Skin20.9%24
3
Skin Exfoliation13.0%15
4
Drug Ineffective10.4%12
5
Product Use In Unapproved Indication8.7%10
6
Skin Fissures8.7%10
7
Diarrhoea7.8%9
8
Rash7.0%8
9
Inappropriate Schedule Of Product Administration6.1%7
10
Dizziness6.1%7
11
Fatigue6.1%7
12
Condition Aggravated6.1%7
13
Erythema5.2%6
14
Incorrect Dose Administered5.2%6
15
Nausea5.2%6

These are voluntary reports and do not establish that cetyl caused these reactions.

Report severity

45.2%Serious52 reports
20.0%Hospitalizations23 reports
2.6%Fatal3 reports

Seriousness is determined by the reporter, not by OpenClaim.

Cetyl drug interactions

Other drugs that appear in adverse event reports alongside cetyl. Drugs flagged as a suspected cause appear in the first column. Drugs taken at the same time but not suspected appear in the second.

Also suspected

1
Dupilumab45.2%52
2
Paclitaxel4.3%5
3
Gemcitabine3.5%4
4
Eszopiclone2.6%3
5
Omalizumab2.6%3
6
Montelukast-sodium2.6%3
7
Candesartan-cilexetil2.6%3
8
Palbociclib2.6%3
9
Rivaroxaban2.6%3
10
Azacitidine2.6%3
11
Venetoclax2.6%3
12
Metronidazole1.7%2
13
Sorafenib-tosylate1.7%2
14
Methotrexate1.7%2
15
Secukinumab1.7%2

Taken alongside

1
Triamcinolone22.6%26
2
Acetaminophen20.0%23
3
Ergocalciferol17.4%20
4
Cetirizine-hydrochloride13.9%16
5
Omeprazole13.9%16
6
Clobetasol-propionate13.0%15
7
Ondansetron11.3%13
8
Albuterol10.4%12
9
Fluticasone9.6%11
10
Cyanocobalamin7.8%9
11
Tamsulosin-hydrochloride7.8%9
12
Levothyroxine-sodium7.8%9
13
Prednisone7.8%9
14
Atorvastatin-calcium7.8%9
15
Ibuprofen7.0%8

Co-occurrence in adverse event reports does not establish a drug interaction. Patients often take multiple medications, and these lists reflect prescribing patterns rather than causal relationships. Consult a healthcare provider about potential drug interactions.

Who reports cetyl side effects

52.2% of cetyl adverse event reports involve female patients and 37.4% involve male patients. The largest age group is adult at 59%. These figures reflect who reports side effects, not underlying risk.

Sex

Female52.2%
Male37.4%
Unknown10.4%

Age group

< 21.0%
2–112.0%
12–175.1%
18–6459.2%
65+32.7%

What is cetyl used for

Conditions and purposes for which patients were taking cetyl when the adverse event was reported.

AcneChronic Spontaneous UrticariaCellulitisDermatitis AtopicDry SkinEczemaEczemaIll-defined DisorderInjection Site ReactionProduct Used For Unknown IndicationPalmar-plantar Erythrodysaesthesia SyndromeProduct Used For Unknown IndicationProphylaxisRashRash Pruritic

Showing 15 of 20 indications

Cetyl brand names and reporting trend

Cetyl is sold under the brand name Exosurf Neonatal.

Brand names

Exosurf Neonatal111

Quarterly reports (20042025)

200420202025

An upward trend reflects increased FAERS reporting overall, not necessarily increased risk.

Taking cetyl with another medication?

Ask OpenClaim about your specific drug combination. Get a sourced report using FDA data, drug labels, and medical literature.