Musculoskeletal pain after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

44 reports to the FDA describe musculoskeletal pain in dogs given Oclacitinib. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines.

44Reports

32%Marked serious

18%Recovered

14%Died or euthanised

18 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

7 19%

1–2 days

1 2.8%

3–7 days

6 17%

1–4 weeks

7 19%

Over a month

15 42%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 16%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 2.3%

Still unwell when reported

29 66%

Died

1 2.3%

Euthanised

5 11%

Not known

1 2.3%

Problems reported at the same time

15 34%

12 27%

10 23%

9 20%

7 16%

6 14%

Didn't work as expected

6 14%

Death

6 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 musculoskeletal pain in dogs?: 44 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 18 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).

Musculoskeletal pain with similar medicines

Musculoskeletal pain after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 69 reports · 0.5% of its reports

All reported side effects of Oclacitinib in dogs · Medicines most reported with musculoskeletal pain