Hair loss after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 617 reports of hair loss in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 2.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.0% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

617Reports

29%Marked serious

5.8%Recovered

3.1%Died or euthanised

37 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

47 10%

1–2 days

12 2.6%

3–7 days

39 8.6%

1–4 weeks

101 22%

Over a month

257 56%

How the animals did

Recovered

36 5.8%

Still unwell when reported

443 72%

Died

7 1.1%

Euthanised

12 1.9%

Not known

119 19%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't work as expected

176 29%

Itching

138 22%

Skin rash or irritation

116 19%

84 14%

80 13%

59 9.6%

58 9.4%

53 8.6%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

151

4–7 years

209

8–11 years

163

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 hair loss in dogs?: 617 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 37 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 loss with similar medicines

Hair loss after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 358 reports · 2.3% of its reports
Hair loss after Ilunocitinib (Zenrelia) 59 reports · 2.7% of its reports

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