Didn't prevent heartworm after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 127 reports of didn't prevent heartworm in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 0.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 13% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

127Reports

13%Marked serious

2.4%Recovered

1.6%Died or euthanised

193 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

2 5.9%

1–2 days

0 0.0%

3–7 days

1 2.9%

1–4 weeks

2 5.9%

Over a month

29 85%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 1.6%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.8%

Still unwell when reported

30 24%

Euthanised

2 1.6%

Not known

92 72%

Problems reported at the same time

13 10%

9 7.1%

8 6.3%

7 5.5%

6 4.7%

5 3.9%

Skin rash or irritation

5 3.9%

Weight gain

5 3.9%

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 didn't prevent heartworm in dogs?: 127 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 193 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 didn't prevent heartworm