Dermal thickening after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 45 reports of dermal thickening in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.0% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

45Reports

56%Marked serious

2.2%Recovered

4.4%Died or euthanised

87 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

1 2.9%

1–2 days

1 2.9%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

7 21%

Over a month

25 74%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 2.2%

Still unwell when reported

38 84%

Died

2 4.4%

Not known

4 8.9%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't work as expected

19 42%

Hair loss

18 40%

Skin rash or irritation

16 36%

13 29%

11 24%

10 22%

10 22%

9 20%

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 dermal thickening in dogs?: 45 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 87 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).

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