Skin tumour after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 137 reports of skin tumour in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 0.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.0% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

137Reports
88%Marked serious
15%Recovered
8.8%Died or euthanised
86 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
11 11%
1–2 days
1 1.0%
3–7 days
2 2.1%
1–4 weeks
10 10%
Over a month
73 75%

How the animals did

Recovered
20 15%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 0.7%
Still unwell when reported
95 69%
Died
3 2.2%
Euthanised
9 6.6%
Not known
9 6.6%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
1
1–3 years
15
4–7 years
42
8–11 years
52
12+ years
19

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 tumour in dogs?
137 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 86 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).

Skin tumour with similar medicines

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