Didn't work as expected after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in cats

The FDA has received 99 reports of didn't work as expected in cats after Oclacitinib. That is 21% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.7% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

99Reports
32%Marked serious
3.0%Recovered
4.0%Died or euthanised
21 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
12 16%
1–2 days
5 6.5%
3–7 days
8 10%
1–4 weeks
24 31%
Over a month
28 36%

How the animals did

Recovered
3 3.0%
Still unwell when reported
70 71%
Died
2 2.0%
Euthanised
2 2.0%
Not known
22 22%

Problems reported at the same time

Intentional misuse
18 18%
Itching
15 15%
Medication error
12 12%
Skin rash or irritation
7 7.1%
Hair loss
6 6.1%
Loss of appetite
6 6.1%
Death
4 4.0%
Bacterial skin infection
4 4.0%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
2
1–3 years
13
4–7 years
21
8–11 years
20
12+ years
28

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 didn't work as expected in cats?
99 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 21 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).

Didn't work as expected with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Oclacitinib in cats · Medicines most reported with didn't work as expected