Apoquel for Dogs — What Is It and What Are Its Side Effects?

Apoquel is a veterinary drug for dogs. It's only been on the market for a few years. It comes in tablets and is available in several strengths that easily suit dogs of all weights.

Apoquel is used to relieve the intense itching caused by different types of dermatitis. It's not a medication we can give the dog on our own. It acts on the immune system, which is why strict veterinary supervision is necessary. Want to know more details about Apoquel? Let's get to it.

What Is Apoquel?

Apoquel is a veterinary medication whose active ingredient is oclacitinib. It's an immunomodulator, and therefore has effects on the immune system. This makes it inadvisable to prescribe in some cases where the immune system may already be compromised.

It works quickly, specifically on certain enzymes that play a key role in inflammatory and itch-related processes. By blocking them, it manages to reduce both inflammation and itching.

Apoquel comes as film-coated tablets. They're oblong-shaped and whitish in color. They can be split in half, making it easier to adjust the dose to the dog's weight.

What Is Apoquel Used For in Dogs?

Apoquel is meant to treat itching in dogs. Specifically, it can be prescribed for dogs experiencing itching linked to problems like allergy-based dermatitis. One example is its use in dogs with atopic dermatitis, flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), contact dermatitis, or food allergies.

It's very important to be clear that Apoquel treats a symptom of these conditions, namely itching. This greatly improves the dog's quality of life, since intense itching causes a lot of discomfort and stress. But it won't cure the allergy or have any effect on its causes.

In other words, a dog scratching from a flea allergy will have its itching relieved with Apoquel, but it's still essential to eliminate the fleas with another product, along with any symptoms such as infections. In short, Apoquel is part of a broader treatment plan and is prescribed so the dog doesn't suffer from itching while it recovers from the underlying cause.

What Dose of Apoquel Does a Dog Need?

The Apoquel dose can only be prescribed by the vet. The drug's effectiveness has been shown for different doses, which is why it's the professional who needs to choose which one our dog needs. In addition, it needs to be adjusted to its weight.

Apoquel is given orally twice a day for a couple of weeks, although the length of treatment depends on how the dog progresses. The tablets can be given either alone or with food.

After the two-week treatment period, Apoquel can continue as maintenance therapy. In this case, instead of twice, it's given only once a day, always under strict veterinary supervision.

Side Effects of Apoquel in Dogs

The immune system is responsible for defending the body against pathogens. Since Apoquel affects it, its function can be weakened. This way, the dog will be more susceptible to any infection. For the same reason, in dogs with tumors, their growth could be encouraged.

All this information should make it clear that we should never medicate our dog without checking with the vet. Dogs on Apoquel treatment need to be periodically checked and monitored by this professional. Besides the precautions related to the immune system, Apoquel can have adverse effects such as the following:

• Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, decreased or increased appetite, increased water intake
• Skin and subcutaneous lumps, interdigital cysts, and pododermatitis
• Lethargy
• Pyoderma, otitis, cystitis, yeast-caused skin infections

Contraindications for Apoquel

Apoquel isn't recommended for dogs under one year of age or weighing less than 3 kg. Nor is it prescribed for dogs that are immunosuppressed.

It's also not advised for dogs with hyperadrenocorticism or those with a malignant tumor. Its safety hasn't been shown for use in pregnant or nursing females. So, Apoquel shouldn't be given in these cases.

How Much Does Apoquel Cost?

Apoquel's price varies depending on the size we need. So, we find different formulations such as Apoquel 3.6 mg, 5.4 mg, and 16 mg for larger dogs. Prices can vary somewhat. On average, they are as follows:

• Apoquel 3.6 mg: 24-35 euros for a box of 20 tablets.
• Apoquel 5.4 mg: 24-29 euros for a box of 20 tablets.
• Apoquel 16 mg: 45-48 euros for a box of 20 tablets.

Bibliography European Medicines Agency: www.ema.europa.eu https://www.zoetis.es/_locale-assets/spc/apoquel.pdf