Apoquel (Oclacitinib) Dosage and Treatment Plan for Dogs with Allergic Dermatitis
The recommended dosage for Apoquel (oclacitinib) in dogs with allergic dermatitis is 0.4-0.6 mg/kg administered orally twice daily for the first 14 days, then once daily for maintenance therapy. 1
Dosing Protocol
Initial Phase
- Dosage: 0.4-0.6 mg/kg body weight
- Frequency: Twice daily (every 12 hours)
- Duration: 14 days
Maintenance Phase
- Dosage: 0.4-0.6 mg/kg body weight
- Frequency: Once daily
- Duration: As needed for ongoing control of symptoms
Administration Options
Apoquel is available in two formulations:
- Film-coated tablets
- Chewable tablets (highly palatable with 91.6% voluntary acceptance rate) 2
Expected Efficacy Timeline
- Initial response: Within 24 hours of first dose 3
- Significant improvement: Within 1-3 hours after administration 4
- Maximum effect: By day 7-14 of treatment 1
- Pruritus reduction: Average decrease from 7.58 to 2.59 cm on visual analog scale 3
Monitoring and Follow-up
Short-term Monitoring (First 2 Weeks)
- Assess pruritus reduction
- Evaluate improvement in skin lesions
- Monitor for common side effects:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Anorexia
- Lethargy 5
Long-term Monitoring
- Regular reassessment every 3-6 months
- Monitor for potential adverse effects
- Evaluate need for continued therapy or dose adjustments
Treatment Considerations
Age Restriction
- Only for dogs 12 months of age or older 5
Contraindications
- Dogs under 12 months of age
- Dogs with serious infections
- Breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs
Precautions
- Use with caution in dogs with:
- History of recurrent infections
- Malignancies
- Immunosuppression
Safety Profile
Apoquel has been extensively evaluated for safety in both short and long-term use:
- Most common adverse events are gastrointestinal (diarrhea, vomiting)
- Serious adverse events are rare
- Long-term use has a positive benefit-risk profile 5
Clinical Pearls
Apoquel works by selectively inhibiting Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), which blocks cytokines involved in allergy, inflammation, and pruritus 6
The rapid onset of action (within 24 hours) makes it particularly useful for acute flares of allergic dermatitis 3
The chewable formulation has excellent palatability, which may improve compliance 2
Unlike corticosteroids, Apoquel does not interfere with intradermal or serologic allergy testing
If transitioning from the film-coated tablet to chewable formulation, be aware that there may be a slight delay in onset of effectiveness at the first dose due to bioequivalence differences 1