Reddening of the skin after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 246 reports of reddening of the skin in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 0.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

246Reports
38%Marked serious
18%Recovered
4.9%Died or euthanised
14 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
50 28%
1–2 days
15 8.4%
3–7 days
6 3.4%
1–4 weeks
42 24%
Over a month
65 37%

How the animals did

Recovered
44 18%
Still unwell when reported
142 58%
Died
6 2.4%
Euthanised
6 2.4%
Not known
48 20%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't work as expected
79 32%
Itching
71 29%
Skin rash or irritation
49 20%
Allergic reaction
40 16%
Swelling
39 16%
Vomiting
32 13%
Hair loss
31 13%
Lethargy
30 12%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
4
1–3 years
49
4–7 years
92
8–11 years
65
12+ years
21

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 reddening of the skin in dogs?
246 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 14 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).

Reddening of the skin with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Oclacitinib in dogs · Medicines most reported with reddening of the skin