Kidney problems after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in cats

113 reports to the FDA describe kidney problems in cats given Oclacitinib. That is 24% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.5% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

113Reports

88%Marked serious

11%Recovered

38%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

60 58%

1–2 days

26 25%

3–7 days

3 2.9%

1–4 weeks

5 4.8%

Over a month

10 9.6%

How the animals did

Recovered

12 11%

Still unwell when reported

53 47%

Died

16 14%

Euthanised

27 24%

Not known

5 4.4%

Problems reported at the same time

67 59%

48 42%

46 41%

45 40%

43 38%

42 37%

30 27%

Third eyelid protrusion

22 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 kidney problems in cats?: 113 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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

Kidney problems after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 132 reports · 4.3% of its reports

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