Weakness after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 404 reports of weakness in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 1.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all dog medicines.

404Reports

60%Marked serious

12%Recovered

24%Died or euthanised

18 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

50 18%

1–2 days

31 11%

3–7 days

34 12%

1–4 weeks

54 19%

Over a month

116 41%

How the animals did

Recovered

46 11%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 0.5%

Still unwell when reported

206 51%

Died

28 6.9%

Euthanised

68 17%

Not known

54 13%

Problems reported at the same time

142 35%

109 27%

96 24%

88 22%

86 21%

68 17%

66 16%

56 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

169

12+ years

106

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 weakness in dogs?: 404 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 18 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).

Weakness with similar medicines

Weakness after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 235 reports · 1.5% of its reports
Weakness after Ilunocitinib (Zenrelia) 43 reports · 2.0% of its reports

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