Weight loss after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 682 reports of weight loss in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 2.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.7% across reports for all dog medicines.

682Reports

51%Marked serious

4.3%Recovered

18%Died or euthanised

42 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

65 15%

1–2 days

30 6.8%

3–7 days

25 5.7%

1–4 weeks

73 17%

Over a month

246 56%

How the animals did

Recovered

27 4.0%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 0.3%

Still unwell when reported

430 63%

Died

24 3.5%

Euthanised

101 15%

Not known

98 14%

Problems reported at the same time

271 40%

194 28%

191 28%

173 25%

129 19%

Didn't work as expected

125 18%

Death

124 18%

Kidney problems

108 16%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

228

8–11 years

259

12+ years

114

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 loss in dogs?: 682 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 42 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 loss with similar medicines

Weight loss after Cyclosporine (Atopica) 507 reports · 3.3% of its reports
Weight loss after Ilunocitinib (Zenrelia) 77 reports · 3.5% of its reports

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