Dry eye after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 64 reports of dry eye 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.

64Reports

53%Marked serious

11%Recovered

3.1%Died or euthanised

56 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

6 16%

1–2 days

9 24%

3–7 days

1 2.6%

1–4 weeks

1 2.6%

Over a month

21 55%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 11%

Still unwell when reported

43 67%

Euthanised

2 3.1%

Not known

12 19%

Problems reported at the same time

18 28%

13 20%

11 17%

11 17%

10 16%

Eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological')

9 14%

Dry nose

8 13%

Low tear flow

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 dry eye in dogs?: 64 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 56 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).

Dry eye with similar medicines

Dry eye after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 45 reports · 0.3% of its reports

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