Fungal skin infection after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

125 reports to the FDA describe fungal skin infection in dogs given Oclacitinib. That is 0.4% 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.

125Reports

33%Marked serious

6.4%Recovered

2.4%Died or euthanised

57 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

9 13%

1–2 days

1 1.4%

3–7 days

5 6.9%

1–4 weeks

12 17%

Over a month

45 63%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 5.6%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.8%

Still unwell when reported

93 74%

Died

1 0.8%

Euthanised

2 1.6%

Not known

21 17%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't work as expected

55 44%

Bacterial skin infection

41 33%

Skin rash or irritation

32 26%

21 17%

18 14%

14 11%

13 10%

11 8.8%

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 fungal skin infection in dogs?: 125 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 57 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).

Fungal skin infection with similar medicines

Fungal skin infection after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 35 reports · 0.2% of its reports

All reported side effects of Oclacitinib in dogs · Medicines most reported with fungal skin infection