Accidental exposure after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in cats

123 reports to the FDA describe accidental exposure in cats given Oclacitinib. That is 27% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.6% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

123Reports

78%Marked serious

14%Recovered

30%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

82 69%

1–2 days

28 24%

3–7 days

6 5.1%

1–4 weeks

2 1.7%

Over a month

0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

17 14%

Still unwell when reported

63 51%

Died

17 14%

Euthanised

20 16%

Not known

6 4.9%

Problems reported at the same time

67 54%

55 45%

48 39%

45 37%

39 32%

37 30%

29 24%

Third eyelid protrusion

23 19%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Oclacitinib controls itching from allergies (tablet, a JAK inhibitor).

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

Questions owners ask

Can Oclacitinib cause accidental exposure in cats?: 123 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 the same day 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).

All reported side effects of Oclacitinib in cats · Medicines most reported with accidental exposure