Itching after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in cats

29 reports to the FDA describe itching in cats given Oclacitinib. That is 6.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.9% across reports for all cat medicines.

29Reports

72%Marked serious

0.0%Recovered

3.4%Died or euthanised

13 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 17%

1–2 days

3 13%

3–7 days

3 13%

1–4 weeks

7 29%

Over a month

7 29%

How the animals did

Still unwell when reported

24 83%

Died

1 3.4%

Not known

4 14%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't work as expected

15 52%

Hair loss

10 34%

Intentional misuse

10 34%

Skin rash or irritation

9 31%

Skin scab

6 21%

Weight loss

4 14%

Behaviour change

4 14%

Medication error

4 14%

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 itching in cats?: 29 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 13 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 Cyclosporine (Atopica) 121 reports · 4.0% of its reports

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