Anxiety after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 338 reports of anxiety in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 1.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.5% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

338Reports
26%Marked serious
31%Recovered
3.3%Died or euthanised
4 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
85 31%
1–2 days
44 16%
3–7 days
27 9.9%
1–4 weeks
30 11%
Over a month
86 32%

How the animals did

Recovered
101 30%
Recovered with lasting effects
3 0.9%
Still unwell when reported
161 48%
Died
1 0.3%
Euthanised
10 3.0%
Not known
62 18%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
4
1–3 years
63
4–7 years
116
8–11 years
89
12+ years
56

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 anxiety in dogs?
338 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 4 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).

Anxiety with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Oclacitinib in dogs · Medicines most reported with anxiety