Neoplasia after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

484 reports to the FDA describe neoplasia in dogs given Oclacitinib. That is 1.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

484Reports

97%Marked serious

9.1%Recovered

25%Died or euthanised

86 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

43 18%

1–2 days

4 1.7%

3–7 days

4 1.7%

1–4 weeks

23 9.6%

Over a month

165 69%

How the animals did

Recovered

39 8.1%

Recovered with lasting effects

5 1.0%

Still unwell when reported

227 47%

Died

57 12%

Euthanised

62 13%

Not known

94 19%

Problems reported at the same time

117 24%

55 11%

35 7.2%

31 6.4%

29 6.0%

Didn't work as expected

28 5.8%

Pr-skin, lesion(s)

23 4.8%

Loss of appetite

22 4.5%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

135

8–11 years

153

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 neoplasia in dogs?: 484 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 86 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).

Neoplasia with similar medicines

Neoplasia after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 136 reports · 0.9% of its reports

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