Itching after Cyclosporine (Atopica) in cats

121 reports to the FDA describe itching in cats given Cyclosporine. That is 4.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.9% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

121Reports

32%Marked serious

17%Recovered

6.6%Died or euthanised

8 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

26 30%

1–2 days

7 8.0%

3–7 days

11 13%

1–4 weeks

13 15%

Over a month

31 35%

How the animals did

Recovered

19 16%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.8%

Still unwell when reported

54 45%

Died

4 3.3%

Euthanised

4 3.3%

Not known

39 32%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't work as expected

30 25%

Hair loss

29 24%

Loss of appetite

21 17%

Vomiting

21 17%

Skin rash or irritation

18 15%

Behaviour change

15 12%

Lethargy

14 12%

Weight loss

13 11%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Cyclosporine controls allergic skin disease and some immune conditions.

Products with this ingredient include Atopica. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Cyclosporine cause itching in cats?: 121 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 8 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Itching with similar medicines

Itching after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) 29 reports · 6.3% of its reports

All reported side effects of Cyclosporine in cats · Medicines most reported with itching