Arthritis after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 62 reports of arthritis in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines.

62Reports

52%Marked serious

0.0%Recovered

16%Died or euthanised

69 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

3 9.4%

1–2 days

1 3.1%

3–7 days

2 6.3%

1–4 weeks

8 25%

Over a month

18 56%

How the animals did

Still unwell when reported

40 65%

Died

3 4.8%

Euthanised

7 11%

Not known

12 19%

Problems reported at the same time

Lameness

13 21%

Lethargy

12 19%

Vomiting

11 18%

Didn't work as expected

10 16%

Death

10 16%

Abnormal radiograph finding

9 15%

Liver problems

8 13%

Pain

8 13%

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 arthritis in dogs?: 62 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 69 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).

Arthritis with similar medicines

Arthritis after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 36 reports · 0.2% of its reports

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