Hind limb paresis after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 57 reports of hind limb paresis in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

57Reports

91%Marked serious

21%Recovered

18%Died or euthanised

19 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 12%

1–2 days

7 17%

3–7 days

5 12%

1–4 weeks

6 14%

Over a month

19 45%

How the animals did

Recovered

11 19%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.8%

Still unwell when reported

32 56%

Died

1 1.8%

Euthanised

9 16%

Not known

3 5.3%

Problems reported at the same time

18 32%

11 19%

10 18%

9 16%

9 16%

Proprioception deficit

8 14%

Didn't work as expected

8 14%

Vomiting

8 14%

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 hind limb paresis in dogs?: 57 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 19 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).

Hind limb paresis with similar medicines

Hind limb paresis after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 84 reports · 0.5% of its reports

All reported side effects of Oclacitinib in dogs · Medicines most reported with hind limb paresis