Kidney problems after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 981 reports of kidney problems in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 3.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.4% across reports for all dog medicines.

981Reports

50%Marked serious

4.6%Recovered

19%Died or euthanised

60 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

71 11%

1–2 days

30 4.5%

3–7 days

45 6.8%

1–4 weeks

121 18%

Over a month

394 60%

How the animals did

Recovered

44 4.5%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.1%

Still unwell when reported

638 65%

Died

50 5.1%

Euthanised

134 14%

Not known

114 12%

Problems reported at the same time

311 32%

284 29%

247 25%

207 21%

183 19%

145 15%

135 14%

130 13%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

108

4–7 years

257

8–11 years

339

12+ years

249

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 kidney problems in dogs?: 981 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 60 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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

Kidney problems after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 411 reports · 2.7% of its reports
Kidney problems after Ilunocitinib (Zenrelia) 86 reports · 3.9% of its reports

All reported side effects of Oclacitinib in dogs · Medicines most reported with kidney problems