Muscle wasting after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 25 reports of muscle wasting in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines.

25Reports

52%Marked serious

0.0%Recovered

24%Died or euthanised

64 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 18%

1–2 days

0 0.0%

3–7 days

2 9.1%

1–4 weeks

3 14%

Over a month

13 59%

How the animals did

Still unwell when reported

14 56%

Died

1 4.0%

Euthanised

5 20%

Not known

5 20%

Problems reported at the same time

7 28%

6 24%

4 16%

4 16%

4 16%

Abnormal radiograph finding

4 16%

Weakness

4 16%

Swelling

3 12%

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 muscle wasting in dogs?: 25 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 64 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).

Muscle wasting with similar medicines

Muscle wasting after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 26 reports · 0.2% of its reports

All reported side effects of Oclacitinib in dogs · Medicines most reported with muscle wasting