Elevated cholesterol (total) after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 202 reports of elevated cholesterol (total) in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 0.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

202Reports
33%Marked serious
3.5%Recovered
8.4%Died or euthanised
63 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
11 8.5%
1–2 days
7 5.4%
3–7 days
4 3.1%
1–4 weeks
21 16%
Over a month
87 67%

How the animals did

Recovered
7 3.5%
Still unwell when reported
148 73%
Died
4 2.0%
Euthanised
13 6.4%
Not known
30 15%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
16
4–7 years
52
8–11 years
90
12+ years
40

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 elevated cholesterol (total) in dogs?
202 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 63 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).

Elevated cholesterol (total) with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Oclacitinib in dogs · Medicines most reported with elevated cholesterol (total)