Skin inflammation after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 122 reports of skin inflammation in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 0.4% 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.

122Reports

34%Marked serious

12%Recovered

1.6%Died or euthanised

43 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

13 15%

1–2 days

2 2.4%

3–7 days

10 12%

1–4 weeks

14 16%

Over a month

46 54%

How the animals did

Recovered

13 11%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 1.6%

Still unwell when reported

79 65%

Died

1 0.8%

Euthanised

1 0.8%

Not known

26 21%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't work as expected

41 34%

Itching

33 27%

Skin rash or irritation

27 22%

Skin redness

27 22%

Hair loss

21 17%

Bacterial skin infection

16 13%

Swelling

16 13%

Reddening of the skin

15 12%

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 skin inflammation in dogs?: 122 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 43 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).

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