How long should you keep your dog on Apoquel? Here’s the Answer

What Is Apoquel Used for in Dogs?

Apoquel is the brand name of oclacitinib, a dog medication designed to relieve itching associated with allergies in dogs, particularly canine atopic dermatitis. Unlike some other allergy medicines for dogs, Apoquel is neither a steroid (like prednisone) nor an antihistamine (like diphenhydramine). Instead, Apoquel is a selective Janus kinase inhibitor and the first of its kind on the veterinary market. Apoquel is made by Zoetis.

Janus kinase (JAK) are enzymes that work with proteins called cytokines to signal the bodys cells to facilitate essential bodily functions, including immunity, the production of blood cells and platelets, inflammation, and pruritus (itchiness). Apoquel selectively inhibits the cytokines involved in allergic reactions with relatively minimal impact on the immune system and blood cell production.

Apoquel is often prescribed by veterinarians for treating allergies in dogs because it tends to have milder side effects compared to steroids and immunosuppressive drugs like prednisone and cyclosporine. It can start working to reduce itching in as little as four to 24 hours.

If you have an itchy dog, its worth having a conversation with your vet to determine if Apoquel is a good option.

Apoquel vs Benadryl: What to Use

Many pet owners use Benadryl to treat their dogs’ atopic dermatitis instead of Apoquel. Benadryl (generic name Diphenhydramine) is a staple in most home medicine cabinets and first-aid kits. Due to this, it is sometimes more convenient to stop an itch than other medications. However, it is not always the best choice when you have the option to use Apoquel.

Apoquel is marketed for dogs older than 12 months and weighing over 6.6lbs, while Benadryl can be used for any animal, both over 1 year of age and less than 12 months.

Dogs treated with Apoquel works within four hours, controls allergy itching within 24 hours, and is safe for short-term and long-term usage. It is used to control dogs itching with some effect on immune function.

While a Benadryl tablet does relieve allergy symptoms, it is more of a blanket solution in case of emergency. Say it’s 11 PM and your dog gets bitten by insects while running around in the backyard. They won’t stop itching, but there’s no emergency vet open near you. If you have Benadryl in your medicine cabinet, it will control symptoms like pruritus until you can get to the vet.

To recap: Apoquel may work better for long-term solutions to pruritus, but Benadryl will be fine in a pinch until you can get something better.

The drug Apoquel from Zoetis is a selective Janus Kinase inhibitor (JAK inhibitor) that acts on the immune system and inhibits its response to signals that trigger itchy allergic sensations. In allergy testing, the JAK inhibitor was shown to chemically alter the brain in order to control the itch.

By eliminating itchiness, Apoquel taken twice daily can be used to treat all forms of allergic reactions: allergic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, skin infection, irritant contact dermatitis, food allergies, control of pruritus, and external parasite-related reactions.

Remember dogs experience allergic reactions to all of the same things we do: pollen, dust mites, mold, animal dander, etc…

  • Scratching due to a constant itch
  • Bald spots in the fur
  • Hotspots
  • Lesions or scarves
  • A runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Discharge from the eyes
  • Chewing or biting at paws, legs, etc.
  • Red skin, body odor, head shaking
  • Is Apoquel Safe For Dogs?

    A safety study by Apoquel manufacturer Zoetis reported there were no fatalities and abnormal health events in a 28 day study. But abnormal health events were reported in 11 of 179 dogs post-study. These include:

  • 1 dog got euthanized after 450 days of the drug. The dog had developed abdominal ascites and pleural effusion of unknown etiology. This means that he had a fluid-filled abdomen and chest.
  • They euthanized another 6 dogs because of suspected malignant neoplasms. Those are cancers that spread easily … but aren’t detected because of immune suppression.
  • 2 dogs each developed a Grade II mast cell tumor after 52 and 91 days.
  • 1 dog developed low-grade B-cell lymphoma after 392 days.
  • 2 dogs each developed an apocrine gland adenocarcinoma. One was dermal, the other an anal sac. These problems happened after only 210 and 320 days on Apoquel.
  • 1 dog developed a low-grade oral spindle cell sarcoma after 320 days. It’s a very painful oral cancer for dogs.
  • Drug research is easy to manipulate. When it comes to Apoquel side effects, Zoetis Inc claimed:

    “There were no fatalities and no abnormal health events that necessitated hospitalization in either the study phase [day 0–7 (+3 days)] or the continuation phase [day 8–28 (±20 days)] of the study. Given that the majority of dogs in the placebo group withdrew after the completion of the study phase, the incidence of abnormal clinical signs was similar in both groups.”

    It seems from these comments that the drug is fairly safe … but the duration of the study was only 7 days! There was a “continuation phase” after the 7 day study period, from 8 to 30 days. The researchers report:

    “Six dogs (four oclacitinib and two placebo group) were withdrawn from the study during the continuation phase for abnormal health events. Abnormal health events were reported in 11 of 179 oclacitinib-treated dogs post-study. These were as follows: diarrhea (four dogs; severe enough to warrant cessation of treatment in one dog); vomiting (four dogs); fever, lethargy and cystitis (one dog); an inflamed footpad and vomiting (one dog); and diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy (one dog).”

    So about 6% of dogs tested had abnormal health events. Maybe that doesn’t seem very high to you, but keep in mind that was only for 30 days! How long can a dog take apoquel before they suffer side effects? The manufacturer says it’s safe for long-term use … but the study results say something different about the side effects of Apoquel in dogs.

    What is Apoquel and Does your Dog Need It? Dr. Dan Explains.

    If your dog is suffering from allergies and needs relief for her itchy skin, you’re likely wondering, what’s the best allergy medicine for dogs? Canine allergies are best diagnosed by your veterinarian, who will recommend a treatment based on what your pup is allergic to (food, fleas, environmental factors, etc.).

    One commonly vet-prescribed allergy medicine for your dog is Apoquel. But exactly what is Apoquel used for? Are there side effects? And is it the most effective anti-itch medicine? We give you the whole scoop on these popular canine allergy pills. Table Of Contents

    Apoquel is the brand name for oclacitinib, an oral medication that veterinarians prescribe to manage itching associated with allergic dermatitis in dogs over one year of age. The FDA approved Apoquel for veterinary use in 2013, and it has become one of the most widely prescribed anti-itch medicines for dogs. It’s manufactured by Zoetis, the world’s largest producer of medicines and vaccinations for pets and livestock.

    Apoquel effectively relieves itching associated with food allergies, flea allergies, contact allergies, and atopic dermatitis (atopy). Atopy is a common form of a dog skin allergy in which dogs are allergic to various environmental factors — typically by inhalation or direct contact.

    How does Apoquel work? Apoquel is an immunosuppressant that works by inhibiting Janus kinase (JAK) enzymes (specifically JAK1 and JAK3 enzymes) in a dog’s body. Blocking these enzymes suppresses the body’s allergic reaction, including both itching and inflammation.

    Apoquel can begin providing relief as soon as four hours after administration and can last up to 24 hours. So, it’s typically given daily to manage symptoms.

    Dogs under one year of age should not take Apoquel. Apoquel also isn’t recommended for dogs who have serious infections or for dogs who weigh less than 6.6 pounds.