Pale mucous membrane after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 166 reports of pale mucous membrane in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 0.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.7% across reports for all dog medicines.

166Reports

76%Marked serious

14%Recovered

31%Died or euthanised

30 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

16 13%

1–2 days

13 10%

3–7 days

13 10%

1–4 weeks

23 19%

Over a month

59 48%

How the animals did

Recovered

23 14%

Still unwell when reported

80 48%

Died

20 12%

Euthanised

32 19%

Not known

11 6.6%

Problems reported at the same time

82 49%

75 45%

63 38%

54 33%

54 33%

50 30%

40 24%

Decreased packed cell volume (pcv)

27 16%

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 pale mucous membrane in dogs?: 166 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 30 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).

Pale mucous membrane with similar medicines

Pale mucous membrane after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 185 reports · 1.2% of its reports
Pale mucous membrane after Ilunocitinib (Zenrelia) 32 reports · 1.5% of its reports

All reported side effects of Oclacitinib in dogs · Medicines most reported with pale mucous membrane