Pustules after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 55 reports of pustules in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

55Reports

38%Marked serious

7.3%Recovered

11%Died or euthanised

31 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

1 2.2%

1–2 days

6 13%

3–7 days

5 11%

1–4 weeks

11 24%

Over a month

23 50%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 7.3%

Still unwell when reported

42 76%

Euthanised

6 11%

Not known

3 5.5%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't work as expected

24 44%

Skin rash or irritation

15 27%

Hair loss

13 24%

Bacterial skin infection

10 18%

10 18%

8 15%

8 15%

6 11%

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 pustules in dogs?: 55 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 31 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).

Pustules with similar medicines

Pustules after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 33 reports · 0.2% of its reports

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