Breathing problems after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in cats

The FDA has received 23 reports of breathing problems in cats after Oclacitinib. That is 5.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.7% across reports for all cat medicines.

23Reports

91%Marked serious

0.0%Recovered

57%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

8 44%

1–2 days

6 33%

3–7 days

1 5.6%

1–4 weeks

0 0.0%

Over a month

3 17%

How the animals did

Still unwell when reported

8 35%

Died

4 17%

Euthanised

9 39%

Not known

2 8.7%

Problems reported at the same time

13 57%

13 57%

10 43%

9 39%

8 35%

8 35%

8 35%

6 26%

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 breathing problems in cats?: 23 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 1 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).

Breathing problems with similar medicines

Breathing problems after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 76 reports · 2.5% of its reports

All reported side effects of Oclacitinib in cats · Medicines most reported with breathing problems