Lethargy after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in cats

The FDA has received 93 reports of lethargy in cats after Oclacitinib. That is 20% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines.

93Reports

70%Marked serious

4.3%Recovered

27%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

50 58%

1–2 days

19 22%

3–7 days

6 7.0%

1–4 weeks

5 5.8%

Over a month

6 7.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 4.3%

Still unwell when reported

52 56%

Died

9 9.7%

Euthanised

16 17%

Not known

12 13%

Problems reported at the same time

47 51%

45 48%

45 48%

45 48%

28 30%

25 27%

25 27%

15 16%

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 lethargy in cats?: 93 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).

Lethargy with similar medicines

Lethargy after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 350 reports · 12% of its reports

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