Hair coat discolouration after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 64 reports of hair coat discolouration in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

64Reports
16%Marked serious
4.7%Recovered
3.1%Died or euthanised
30 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
6 14%
1–2 days
0 0.0%
3–7 days
6 14%
1–4 weeks
10 23%
Over a month
21 49%

How the animals did

Recovered
3 4.7%
Still unwell when reported
40 63%
Died
2 3.1%
Not known
19 30%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
1
1–3 years
4
4–7 years
31
8–11 years
19
12+ years
5

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 hair coat discolouration 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 30 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).

Hair coat discolouration with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Oclacitinib in dogs · Medicines most reported with hair coat discolouration