Can Dogs Be On Apoquel Long Term?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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HOW LONG CAN MY DOG USE APOQUEL? The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not placed any time restrictions on the use of APOQUEL.

You can continue to treat your dog with APOQUEL for as long as your veterinarian recommends

. In studies, dogs were treated with APOQUEL for more than 2 years.

Does Apoquel shorten a dog's life?

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.

Can my dog take Apoquel everyday?


Apoquel is not FDA approved to use twice daily longer than 14 days

. The dose range is very strict, I do not recommend going above the recommended dose due to immune suppression, below the range and it doesn't seem to work in most cases.

Is Apoquel long-term?

“Apoquel provides fast,

long-term

relief from itch and inflammation without many of the side effects associated with some other treatments.”

What is a natural alternative to Apoquel?


Yucca and quercetin

are also great natural alternatives to Apoquel. Yucca has an effect similar to steroid drugs without the harmful side effects. Quercetin is a plant derivative that acts as a natural antihistamine and is a great option for dogs whose itching is reduced by Benadryl.

Which is safer Apoquel or Cytopoint?

You or your veterinarian won't know which is most effective for your dog until you try them. I would begin with

Cytopoint®

because, the current opinion is that it is safer. The feedback I get from dog owners who have used both is that the anti-itch effects of Apoquel® were usually more dramatic than Cytopoint®.

Which is better Apoquel or Benadryl?

Not only is it safe, but it also doesn't need a hefty dosage to be effective. Essentially your dog can use it and stop it without any withdrawal symptoms. If your furry friend has any long-standing allergies that affect them occasionally or throughout the year, then

Apoquel is by far the better option

.

Is Benadryl better than Apoquel for dogs?

If your dog has more long-term allergies that plague them seasonally or even year-round,

Apoquel is probably a better choice

. It is meant for long-term use and generally provides more relief than antihistamines alone.

What is the best anti itch medicine for dogs?

  • Healers Hot Spot Relief Hydrocortisone Dog & Cat Ointment. …
  • Vet's Best Moisture Mist Conditioner for Dogs. …
  • Vetnique Labs Dermabliss Hydrocortisone Spray Anti-Itch & Allergy Relief Soothing Medicated Dog & Cat Spray. …
  • Dr. …
  • Wondercide Skin Tonic Itch + Allergy Relief Dog & Cat Spray.

What does Apoquel do for a dog?

Oclacitinib (brand name Apoquel®) is an oral medication used to

manage itching associated with allergic dermatitis (including atopy)

in dogs at least 12 months of age.

Does Apoquel cause mast cell tumors?


Two dogs each developed a Grade II mast cell tumor after 52 and 91 days of APOQUEL administration

, respectively. One dog developed low grade B-cell lymphoma after 392 days of APOQUEL administration.

Is Apoquel expensive?


The lowest price for 100 tablets of Apoquel 16mg at accredited international online pharmacies is $228.99

.

How long is Apoquel shelf life?

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale in blisters: 2 years. Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale in bottles:

18 months

. Any remaining half tablets should be discarded after 3 days.

Is there a cheaper substitute for Apoquel?


There are currently no generic Apoquel alternatives for dogs

. The drug is patented until 2026, so it is not expected that a generic Apoquel substitute will hit the market until after that time.

Can you give Benadryl and Apoquel together?

Common antihistamines like Benadryl and Apoquel are

safe to be used together

.

Which is better Apoquel vs Atopica?


Atopica treats the immune system cause of the itch, so is more effective at preventing skin infections, ear infections, and itch

; Apoquel and Cytopoint only suppress the itch and do not address the underlying cause.

Does Apoquel lose its effectiveness?

Cytopoint is not immune-suppressive, and there are no warnings or concerns about tumors. However, the one potential downfall of Cytopoint is that the dog can form antibodies against it. If this happens, then

the medication will lose its effectiveness – forever

.

Should I give Apoquel with food?

Dosage and Administration: The dose of APOQUEL (oclacitinib maleate) tablets is 0.18 to 0.27 mg oclacitinib/lb (0.4 to 0.6 mg oclacitinib/kg) body weight, administered orally, twice daily for up to 14 days, and then administered once daily for maintenance therapy.

APOQUEL may be administered with or without food

.

Can dogs take Zyrtec and Apoquel together?

While

it is safe to give these two together

I'd check in with your vet before proceeding to make sure it is safe for Izzie specifically. Also, it may not be necessary to add in an antihistamine if the Apoquel is doing it's job.

Why is Apoquel not working?

Now, if Apoquel worked in the past and suddenly is not,

there may be a secondary infection

. You should take her to the vet to rule out infection. Typically vets will do a swab of the skin or tape prep cytology to look for yeast and bacteria under the microscope.

Will Apoquel make a dog sleepy?

One of the less common apoquel side effects in dogs is lethargy. So,

there is a chance that apoquel will make your dog feel sleepy

and cause lower activity levels.

Can Apoquel cause tumors in dogs?

Do not use APOQUEL in dogs less than 12 months of age or those with serious infections. APOQUEL may increase the chances of developing serious infections, and

may cause existing parasitic skin infestations or pre- existing cancers to get worse

.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.