Seizures after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 1,241 reports of seizures in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 4.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.4% across reports for all dog medicines.

1,241Reports

92%Marked serious

30%Recovered

9.8%Died or euthanised

14 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

186 20%

1–2 days

106 11%

3–7 days

100 11%

1–4 weeks

182 20%

Over a month

356 38%

How the animals did

Recovered

367 30%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 0.2%

Still unwell when reported

567 46%

Died

54 4.4%

Euthanised

67 5.4%

Not known

184 15%

Problems reported at the same time

120 9.7%

112 9.0%

111 8.9%

94 7.6%

Didn't work as expected

87 7.0%

Liver problems

79 6.4%

Behaviour change

74 6.0%

Loss of appetite

61 4.9%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

233

4–7 years

391

8–11 years

355

12+ years

187

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 seizures in dogs?: 1,241 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).

Seizures with similar medicines

Seizures after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 508 reports · 3.3% of its reports
Seizures after Ilunocitinib (Zenrelia) 76 reports · 3.5% of its reports

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