Faecal incontinence after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 53 reports of faecal incontinence in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines.

53Reports

55%Marked serious

23%Recovered

25%Died or euthanised

42 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

3 6.0%

1–2 days

3 6.0%

3–7 days

6 12%

1–4 weeks

10 20%

Over a month

28 56%

How the animals did

Recovered

12 23%

Still unwell when reported

20 38%

Died

3 5.7%

Euthanised

10 19%

Not known

8 15%

Problems reported at the same time

15 28%

15 28%

13 25%

13 25%

10 19%

10 19%

8 15%

7 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 faecal incontinence in dogs?: 53 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 42 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).

Faecal incontinence with similar medicines

Faecal incontinence after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 34 reports · 0.2% of its reports

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