Can I use Apoquel for a short time to treat a flare-up?

Yes, you can use Apoquel for short periods. Apoquel begins relieving allergic dog itch within 4 hours, and controls it within 24 hours.1,2

Can my dog take Apoquel if he or she is on other medications or received vaccinations?

Yes, Apoquel may be used with other treatment such as:4 Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, carprofen). Vaccines (rabies). Allergen-specific immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops). The use of Apoquel has not been evaluated in combination with other systemic immunosuppressants, such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine.

Apoquel is safe to use in dogs 12 months of age or older Can be used long-term4 for maintenance therapy or short-term.2 Can be used with many other medications:4 Including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), vaccines (such as rabies), and allergen-specific immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops). The use of Apoquel has not been evaluated in combination with other systemic immunosuppressants, such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine. Is not for use in dogs with serious infections, or for use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs.

How fast will Apoquel start working?

Apoquel starts relieving allergic itch within 4 hours of giving the treatment to your dog.1

What are the side effects of Apoquel?

In a 5-year safety review, the most common individual side effects reported with Apoquel were vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, and bloodwork changes13 The most commonly reported side-effects occurred at a rate of less than 1 dog reacting out of 10,000 dogs treated.13,14

I see a rash and redness on my dog’s skin. Do I need to see the vet?

If your dog is scratching, licking, or biting the same area repeatedly, the skin can become damaged, red, and sore. It’s a good idea to ask your dog’s veterinarian about the possible causes. It could be due to allergies, and in this event, your pet may require a prescription treatment such as Apoquel to treat the allergic itch. There also may be a skin infection that requires antibiotic or antifungal treatment from your veterinarian.

If Your Dog’s Itching Like Crazy, Ask for Apoquel

Take the Itch Quiz Why Your Dog is Itching

Prescribed for Over 13 Million Dogs and Counting¹

Apoquel stops allergic itch right at the source.

All dogs itch sometimes, but when you notice it happening more and more, it could be a sign of a medical condition.

The #1 prescribed oral medicine for allergic itch in dogs²
Stops allergic itch right at the source³
Can be used for long-term maintenance or short-term therapy in dogs 12 months of age and older^4,5

Now available in an easy-to-dose chewable

Prepare for your dog’s vet visit, and get their itching under control.

Prep For Your Vet Visit

Fast Acting and Safe Itch Relief For Your Dog

Apoquel Tablet starts relieving allergic dog itch within 4 hours.⁶ Both Apoquel Tablet and Apoquel Chewable effectively control allergic itch within 24 hours.^5,7

Apoquel is given twice daily for up to 14 days and then once daily for maintenance therapy. Speak to your vet for the right dosage and course of treatment.

How Is Apoquel Different Than Other Treatments?

You may have tried other treatments to relieve your dog’s allergic itch. Getting your dog the right treatment early on can help bring them comfort faster and avoid the costs associated with treatments that just don’t do the trick.

Learn how Apoquel is different from other treatments.

Can relieve allergies in humans but are often not effective at reducing allergic itch in dogs.^8,9
Can put your dog at risk for progression of allergic itch and secondary skin infection because they don’t treat the underlying cause and the itch continues.
Offer little or no benefit in treating flare-ups in the majority of dogs .¹⁰

May offer relief but may not be a good option if your dog requires long-term treatment.
50% of dog owners reported side effects with steroids.¹¹
Can cause side effects such as excessive drinking and urinating, increased appetite,¹² and behavior changes, such as increased anxiety, even when used short term.¹³
In a 5-year safety review, the most common individual side effects reported with Apoquel were vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, and bloodwork changes¹⁴

Oatmeal baths, lotions, or over-the-counter topical medicines may provide some temporary relief but don’t get to the underlying cause of allergic itch.

Identifying Allergic Itch in Your Dog

While an occasional itch is common for dogs, frequent scratching or excessive chewing could be signs of a skin condition that needs medical treatment.

There are a variety of underlying causes to allergic itch. But when treated early, these can be managed and restore your dog’s comfort and happiness.

Common Signs

Frequent scratching, licking, biting, or chewing
Excessive rolling, rubbing, or scooting
Recurrent ear problems: head shaking, ear discharge, or scratching at ears
Hair loss, body odor, or skin changes: rash, redness, greasy skin, or scabs

Common Causes

Food allergy
Environmental allergens: pollen, dust mites, and mold
Contact allergens: household cleaners, shampoos, plants, and insecticides
Flea allergy

Learn More About Why Your Dog is Itching

Apoquel Tablet Success Stories

Apoquel Tablets have been prescribed for over 13 million dogs¹ and are #1 in pet owner and vet satisfaction for oral medications for allergic dermatitis in dogs.^15,16

“Within a week of starting [Apoquel], he had his cone off and he looked like a normal dog, which was amazing when for the last 2 years we’d watch him steadily decrease in health every day.”

Ashley & Captain

“I gave her the first dose [of Apoquel] at night. She did not scratch or itch at all that night. Nani now can sleep at night, go outside, and play. She has a better quality of life.”

Leisa & Nani

“When I saw the relief in Gunner [from Apoquel], I felt the relief myself…I was hoping for good and got amazing.”

Whitney & Gunner

“Within the first couple of days [after starting Apoquel], she was a completely different dog. She had done a complete 180 degrees with her personality and her energy level."

Dani & Molly

“This stuff [Apoquel] is amazing! She slept through the night and I slept through the night. She was not chewing and scratching as much, and her energy level was coming back.”

Tony & Bijou

“Within a week of starting [Apoquel], he had his cone off and he looked like a normal dog, which was amazing when for the last 2 years we’d watch him steadily decrease in health every day.”

Ashley & Captain

“I gave her the first dose [of Apoquel] at night. She did not scratch or itch at all that night. Nani now can sleep at night, go outside, and play. She has a better quality of life.”

Leisa & Nani

“When I saw the relief in Gunner [from Apoquel], I felt the relief myself…I was hoping for good and got amazing.”

Whitney & Gunner

“Within the first couple of days [after starting Apoquel], she was a completely different dog. She had done a complete 180 degrees with her personality and her energy level."

Dani & Molly

“This stuff [Apoquel] is amazing! She slept through the night and I slept through the night. She was not chewing and scratching as much, and her energy level was coming back.”

Tony & Bijou

“Within a week of starting [Apoquel], he had his cone off and he looked like a normal dog, which was amazing when for the last 2 years we’d watch him steadily decrease in health every day.”

Ashley & Captain

“I gave her the first dose [of Apoquel] at night. She did not scratch or itch at all that night. Nani now can sleep at night, go outside, and play. She has a better quality of life.”

Leisa & Nani

“One pet owner said that [her] dog is a different dog. Dog itch [pruritus] is down 90% and [she said] her dog is so much more comfortable…”

Dr. Dale Brown, Fayetteville, NC*

Prepping For Your Vet Visit

While allergic itch may be a new term to you, it's actually a treatable condition that affects many dogs. That’s why working with your vet early on is important, since they’ll be able to prescribe treatment to quickly alleviate the signs of allergic itch.

Questions your vet may ask:

Does the itching happen often? Is it becoming more regular?
On what part of the body does your dog scratch most?
Is there a seasonal pattern? How long does it last? Does it last longer than when you first noticed it?
Does it happen when your dog goes outdoors?
Is it becoming more severe?
Does the itch interrupt normal activities like eating, walking outdoors, playing, or sleeping?

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can use Apoquel for short periods.

Apoquel Tablet starts relieving allergic itch within 4 hours.⁶
Both Apoquel Tablet and Apoquel Chewable control allergic itch within 24 hours.^5,7

Yes, Apoquel may be used with other treatment such as:⁴

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, e.g., carprofen).
Vaccines (rabies).
Allergen-specific immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops).

The use of Apoquel has not been evaluated in combination with other systemic immunosuppressants, such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine.

Apoquel is safe to use in dogs 12 months of age or older.

Can be used long-term⁴ for maintenance therapy or short-term.⁵
Can be used with many other medications:⁵
- Including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), vaccines (such as rabies), and allergen-specific immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops).
- The use of Apoquel has not been evaluated in combination with other systemic immunosuppressants, such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine.
Is not for use in dogs with serious infections, or for use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not placed any time restrictions on the use of Apoquel. Your dog can continue to be treated with Apoquel as long as your veterinarian recommends. In a study, dogs were treated with Apoquel for more than two years.⁴

Apoquel is available by prescription from your veterinarian.

Yes, Apoquel can be given with or without food.

Apoquel is given twice daily for up to 14 days, and then given once daily for maintenance therapy.

Apoquel is also available as a chewable to make daily dosing even easier.

Apoquel Tablet starts relieving allergic itch within 4 hours.⁶ Apoquel Tablet and Apoquel Chewable control allergic itch within 24 hours.^5,7

In a 5-year safety review, the most common individual side effects reported with Apoquel were vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, and bloodwork changes.¹⁴

The most commonly reported side-effects occurred at a rate of less than one dog reacting out of 10,000 dogs treated.¹⁷

Apoquel is not a steroid, antihistamine, or cyclosporine (a type of drug that reduces immune system activity). Apoquel is in a different category of medications. Unlike other medicines, Apoquel blocks allergic itch at the source.³ It works at the underlying cause of itch to provide relief fast.

If your dog is scratching, licking, or biting the same area repeatedly, the skin can become damaged, red, and sore. It’s a good idea to ask your dog’s veterinarian about the possible causes. It could be due to skin allergies, so your pet may require a prescription treatment such as Apoquel to treat the allergic itch. There also may be a skin infection that requires antibiotic or antifungal treatment from your veterinarian.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: See full Apoquel Tablet and Apoquel Chewable Prescribing Information. Do not use Apoquel or Apoquel Chewable in dogs less than 12 months of age or those with serious infections. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable may increase the chances of developing serious infections, and may cause existing parasitic skin infestations or pre- existing cancers to get worse. Consider the risks and benefits of treatment in dogs with a history of recurrence of these conditions. New neoplastic conditions (benign and malignant) were observed in clinical studies and post- approval. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable have not been tested in dogs receiving some medications including some commonly used to treat skin conditions such as corticosteroids and cyclosporines. Do not use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. Most common side effects are vomiting and diarrhea. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable have been used safely with many common medications including parasiticides, antibiotics and vaccines.

INDICATIONS: Control of pruritus (itching) associated with allergic dermatitis and control of atopic dermatitis in dogs at least 12 months of age.

*Vets, n=250; pet owners, n=491.

References:

Data on file, ZMR: Kynetec PetTrak – Pets Since Launch, December 2022, Zoetis Inc.
Data on file, PetTrak Total Unique Patient Count, December 2022, Zoetis Inc.
Gonzales AJ, Bowman JW, Fici GJ, et al. Oclacitinib (APOQUEL(®)) is a novel Janus kinase inhibitor with activity against cytokines involved in allergy. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2014;37(4):317-324. doi:10.1111/vp.12101
Cosgrove SB, Cleaver DM, King VL, et al. Long-term compassionate use of oclacitinib in dogs with atopic and allergic skin disease: safety, efficacy and quality of life. Vet Dermatol. 2015;26(3):171-179, e35. doi: 10.1111/vde.12194
Cosgrove SB, Wren JA, Cleaver DM, et al. Efficacy and safety of oclacitinib for the control of pruritus and associated skin lesions in dogs with canine allergic dermatitis. Vet Dermatol. 2013;24(5):479- e114. doi: 10.1111/vde.12047
Gadeyne C, Little P, King VL, Edwards N, Davis K, Stegemann MR. Efficacy of oclacitinib (Apoquel®) compared with prednisolone for the control of pruritus and clinical signs associated with allergic dermatitis in client-owned dogs in Australia. Vet Dermatol. 2014;25(6):512-518,e86. doi:10.1111/vde.12166
Data on file: Study Report A161C-US-21-C02, Zoetis Inc.
Hsiao Y- H, Chen C, Willemse T. Effects of cetirizine in dogs with chronic atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Vet Sci. 2016;17(4):549-553. doi: 10.4142/jvs.2016.17.4.549
Marsella R, Sousa CA, Gonzalez AJ, Fadok VA. Current understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of canine atopic dermatitis. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2012;241(2):194-207. doi:10.2460/javma.241.2.194
Olivry T, DeBoer DJ, Favrot C, et al. for the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals. Treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: 2015 updated guidelines from the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals (ICADA). BMC Vet Res. 2015;11:210. doi: 10.1186/s12917-015-0514-6
Data on file, Pet Owner Quantitative Market Research, 2013, Zoetis Inc.
Sousa CA. Glucocorticoids in veterinary dermatology. In: Bonagura JD, Twedt DC,eds. Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy. 14th ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders/Elsevier;2009:400-404.
Notari L, Burman O, Mills D. Behavioural changes in dogs treated with corticosteroids. Physiol Behav. 2015;151:609-616. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.08.041
Data on file. A Five-Year Post-Approval Safety Review for Apoquel® in the US (May 2013 to August 2018), Zoetis Inc.
Data on file, APOQUEL/CYTOPOINT Vet Tracker Wave 17, 2022, Zoetis Inc.
Data on file, APOQUEL/CYTOPOINT Pet Owner Tracker Wave 11, 2022, Zoetis Inc.
Volume 6C Summary of the Product Characteristics: SPC European Commission, Brussels. 1 Vol. 6C. July 10, 2006, 1-11.

APQ-00679R11

The product information provided in this site is intended only for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may not have marketing authorization or may have different product labeling in different countries. The animal health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with an animal healthcare professional. All decisions regarding the care of a veterinary patient must be made with an animal healthcare professional, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

#react-view{ margin-top: 2rem; } .nojs-message{ position: absolute; z-index: 10; top: 0; width: 100%; text-align: center; padding: 1rem; background: #d60000; color: white; font-weight: 700; font-size: 18px; } This site requires JavaScript. Your browser has JavaScript disabled, please turn it on in your browser settings.

If Your Dog’s Itching Like Crazy, Ask for Apoquel

Prescribed for Over 13 Million Dogs and Counting1

Apoquel stops allergic itch right at the source.

Fast Acting and Safe Itch Relief For Your Dog

How Is Apoquel Different Than Other Treatments?

Seeing Signs of Allergic Itch? Take Our Itch Quiz to Find Out

Earn Petcare Rewards with Each Apoquel Purchase to Help Pay for Future Vet Care

Identifying Allergic Itch in Your Dog

Common Signs

Common Causes

Apoquel Tablet Success Stories

Prepping For Your Vet Visit

Questions your vet may ask:

Track Your Dog's Itch With the Itch Tracker

See the Difference Apoquel Could Make for Your Dog

Suggested Articles

Frequently Asked Questions

Prescribed for Over 13 Million Dogs and Counting¹