Tremors after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 816 reports of tremors in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 2.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 3.4% across reports for all dog medicines.

816Reports

40%Marked serious

28%Recovered

7.8%Died or euthanised

6 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

174 27%

1–2 days

97 15%

3–7 days

73 11%

1–4 weeks

92 14%

Over a month

211 33%

How the animals did

Recovered

231 28%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.1%

Still unwell when reported

385 47%

Died

19 2.3%

Euthanised

45 5.5%

Not known

135 17%

Problems reported at the same time

231 28%

184 23%

161 20%

111 14%

96 12%

95 12%

87 11%

81 9.9%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

163

4–7 years

233

8–11 years

240

12+ years

143

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 tremors in dogs?: 816 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 6 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).

Tremors with similar medicines

Tremors after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 657 reports · 4.3% of its reports
Tremors after Ilunocitinib (Zenrelia) 59 reports · 2.7% of its reports

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