How Often Should I Give My Dog Apoquel?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If your dog is scratching, licking, or chewing like crazy, you want to provide fast, effective relief. Apoquel starts relieving allergic dog itch within 4 hours — and controls it within 24 hours. Apoquel is given

twice daily, for up to 14 days, and then once daily for maintenance therapy

.

Do dogs need Apoquel every day?

Apoquel works rapidly, usually within 24 hours, to diminish itching. It is very rare to have GI upsets with Apoquel like we can see with cyclosporine. The antipruritic effects of the Apoquel wear off quickly, within 12-24 hours, so

the medication needs to be given daily in most cases

.

How often can Apoquel be given?

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 a dog have too much Apoquel?


Never give your pet a double dose of Apoquel, as this can be detrimental to their health

. If you suspect your pet has had an overdose, contact your veterinarian immediately. Signs of Apoquel toxicity include bloody diarrhea, skin infections, and allergic reactions.

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.

Is Apoquel and Benadryl the same?

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

.

Can dogs take Benadryl and Apoquel together?

Common antihistamines like Benadryl and Apoquel are

safe to be used together

.

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.

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.

Can I give my dog Apoquel twice a day?

If given once daily, it can be given either morning OR night, depending on when your dog seems most itchy.

Ideally, Apoquel® should not be used twice daily over a long period of time

, as this may increase the chances for side effects.

Can you mix Apoquel and Zyrtec?

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.

How quickly does Apoquel work?

Apoquel

starts relieving allergic dog itch within 4 hours

— and controls it within 24 hours. Apoquel is given twice daily, for up to 14 days, and then once daily for maintenance therapy.

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.

Is Apoquel expensive?


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

.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Does Apoquel work for food allergies?

When Apoquel is best.


Apoquel can be used in all these instances since it’s labeled for the control of pruritus associated with any allergic disorder, including flea allergy dermatitis, scabies or food allergies

, as well as canine atopic dermatitis.

How do I get my dog off Apoquel?

If you want to take your dog off Apoquel, you will need to be prepared to

deal with a withdrawal period as their immune system learns to balance itself again, as well as find an Apoquel substitute for their returned skin irritation

.

Do you need a prescription for Apoquel?

Apoquel

requires a prescription from your veterinarian

, and is sold per tablet. Apoquel is a selective janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, which targets pruritogenic (itch creating) cytokines. It effectively controls itching due to food allergies, flea allergies, contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis.

Is it safe to give Benadryl to dogs?

Benadryl, or diphenhydramine, is an antihistamine that helps relieve the symptoms of allergies in both humans and animals. It can also be used to relieve the symptoms of motion sickness if a dog needs to be transported long distances.

For most dogs, the appropriate dosage of Benadryl is perfectly safe

.

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.