Does Apoquel Make A Dog Sleepy?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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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.

Does allergy medicine make dogs sleepy?


Side effects of antihistamines in dogs include drowsiness and lethargy

. Some dogs also get diarrhea or nausea. A few will become excitable and nervous when given certain antihistamine medications. You should avoid these.

Is lethargy a side effect of APOQUEL?

Just like other medications APOQUEL® has some side-effects.

The most common side effects are diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia and lethargy

.

Is APOQUEL the same as Benadryl for dogs?

This ingredient works to prevent and curb the inflammatory reaction, particularly for the itching sensation. The main difference between Apoquel and Benadryl, among other allergy medications for dogs, is that

it is distinctly an Immunomodulator rather than an antihistamine

.

How long does it take Apoquel to work in dogs?

HOW FAST WILL APOQUEL START WORKING? APOQUEL starts relieving itch

within 4 hours

of giving the treatment to your dog.

Are there side effects to Apoquel for dogs?

Apoquel side effects listed for dogs in the product insert include:

vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, SQ or dermal masses (unspecified), decreased leukocytes, decreased globulins, and increased cholesterol and lipase

.

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.

Why do you have to wash your hands after handling Apoquel?

Humans should make sure to wash their hands thoroughly after handling Apoquel tablets.

Apoquel is not a steroid, and so the list of possible side effects is much shorter compared to steroid drugs like prednisone

.

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

.

How can I sedate my dog?

If your veterinarian says it’s okay,

give your dog 2 mg of Benadryl per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of body weight

, or follow your veterinarian’s dosing suggestion. Repeat the dose every 4-6 hours while you need to keep your dog sedated. Do not exceed a dose of 4 mg of Benadryl per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of body weight every 4-6 hours.

Does Zyrtec make dogs sleepy?


The most common side effect of using Zyrtec for dogs is drowsiness

. It’s still relatively rare, but it can occur when your dog is just starting to take the medication, or if the dosage is too high. Smaller dog breeds are more susceptible to this side effect.

Can I give my dog Zyrtec and Apoquel?

While

it is safe to give these two medications 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.

What is better than 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.

Is Apoquel expensive?

Cost Comparison of Dog Allergy Medication Apoquel Drug Name Strength (Quantity) U.S. Discount Coupon Price (1-800-PetMeds) Lowest International Pharmacy Price (shipping included)
Apoquel 3.6mg (100 tablets)


$179


$167.99
Apoquel 5.4mg (100 tablets) $199 $171.99 Apoquel 16mg (100 tablets) $219.00 $228.99

Which is better Apoquel or Cytopoint?

The main difference is the method of administration.

Cytopoint is an, on average, once a month injection into the skin. Apoquel, on the other hand, requires daily oral dosing

. Additionally, Cytopoint was specifically created to target itch associated with atopic (environmental) allergies.

Can you crush Apoquel for dogs?



You can put it in a pill pocket or a treat or crush it with water

.” He says that your dog will feel relief within hours of taking it for the first time and that there are countless health benefits for less scratching.

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.

What does Apoquel do for a dog?

WHAT IS APOQUEL USED FOR? APOQUEL is used for the

control of itch associated with allergic skin disease and for control of atopic skin disease in dogs at least 1 year of age

. APOQUEL significantly reduces itching, and also decreases the associated inflammation, redness or swelling of the skin.

What is lethargy dog?

What is Lethargy? Lethargy can sometimes be described as

extreme tiredness

, although it isn’t quite the same. A lethargic dog is not interested in his/her normal day-to-day life and is either unable or unwilling to get up out of bed very often.

Does Apoquel cause excessive thirst?

Most commonly gastrointestinal effects (vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia),

polydipsia (increased thirst)

or lethargy have been noted but other potentially serious adverse effects, including susceptibility to infections (e.g., pneumonia, demodicosis), neoplasia, and skin disorders are possible.

Can I mix Benadryl and Apoquel?

Common antihistamines like Benadryl and Apoquel are

safe to be used together

.

Does Apoquel help with hot spots?

Cases where I prescribe Apoquel® include dogs over 12 months with first-time allergic or atopic dermatitis, during the diagnostic workup to provide itch relief,

in dogs with hot spots due to allergic dermatitis

along with antibiotics, or as a long-term treatment for chronic allergic or atopic dermatitis.

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.

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.

Does Apoquel cause panting?

With APOQUEL, your dog is less likely to suffer from the kinds of side effects often seen with steroids (another kind of drug treatment option). These include

excessive drinking and urinating, panting, and weight gain.

Is Apoquel hazardous?

Apoquel

may increase the chances of developing serious infections

. Apoquel may worsen existing parasitic skin infestations or pre-existing cancers. Apoquel has not been tested in dogs receiving some medications, including some commonly used to treat skin conditions, such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine.

Can I give my dog CBD oil with Apoquel?

CBD Side Effects in Dogs

In contrast to the dramatic and often life-threatening side effects of pharmaceutical drugs like Apoquel,

full-spectrum hemp extract is extremely safe for both short and long term use

.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.