Weight gain after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 285 reports of weight gain in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 1.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

285Reports

15%Marked serious

5.6%Recovered

4.2%Died or euthanised

55 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

41 21%

1–2 days

1 0.5%

3–7 days

11 5.6%

1–4 weeks

32 16%

Over a month

112 57%

How the animals did

Recovered

16 5.6%

Still unwell when reported

171 60%

Died

6 2.1%

Euthanised

6 2.1%

Not known

86 30%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't work as expected

80 28%

36 13%

36 13%

23 8.1%

22 7.7%

19 6.7%

17 6.0%

Skin rash or irritation

16 5.6%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

116

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 weight gain in dogs?: 285 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 55 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).

Weight gain with similar medicines

Weight gain after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 93 reports · 0.6% of its reports
Weight gain after Ilunocitinib (Zenrelia) 41 reports · 1.9% of its reports

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