Nystagmus after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 63 reports of nystagmus in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines.

63Reports

68%Marked serious

11%Recovered

13%Died or euthanised

12 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

13 27%

1–2 days

3 6.1%

3–7 days

6 12%

1–4 weeks

8 16%

Over a month

19 39%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 11%

Still unwell when reported

35 56%

Died

2 3.2%

Euthanised

6 9.5%

Not known

13 21%

Problems reported at the same time

Wobbliness (ataxia)

29 46%

Head tilt - neurological disorder

20 32%

Vomiting

16 25%

Vestibular disorder

16 25%

Loss of appetite

15 24%

Head tilt - ear disorder

11 17%

Lethargy

9 14%

Neurological signs

8 13%

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 nystagmus in dogs?: 63 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 12 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).

Nystagmus with similar medicines

Nystagmus after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 42 reports · 0.3% of its reports

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