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POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Apoquel 5.4 mg Chewable Tablets for Dogs

Active ingredient: Oclacitinib

Form

Chewable

Species

Dogs

Manufacturer

Zoetis Belgium

VMD MA No.

EU/2/13/154/030-031

What it's used for

Treatment of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis in dogs. Treatment of clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis in dogs.

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓
View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

Paying less for Oclacitinib

  1. 1

    Ask your vet for a written prescription

    They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.

  2. 2

    Fill it at a registered online retailer

    The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Apoquel 5.4 mg Chewable Tablets for Dogs — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

Treatment of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis in dogs.
Treatment of clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis in dogs.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the
excipients.
Do not use in dogs less than 12 months of age or less than 3 kg bodyweight.
Do not use in dogs with evidence of immune suppression, such as hyperadrenocorticism, or
with evidence of progressive malignant neoplasia as the active substance has not been
evaluated in these cases.
Dogs:
Very common
(>1 animal / 10 animals treated):
pyoderma, skin lump, papillomaCommon
(1 to 10 animals / 100 animals treated):
lethargy, lipoma, polydipsia, increased
appetite
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia
histiocytoma, fungal skin infection,
pododermatitis
otitis
lymphadenopathy
cystitis
aggression

Revised: December 2025
AN: 03096/2025
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated,
including isolated reports):
anaemia, lymphoma, convulsion
Treatment-related clinical pathology changes were restricted to an increase in mean serum
cholesterol and a decrease in mean leukocyte count, however, all mean values remained
within the laboratory reference range. The decrease in mean leukocyte count observed in
oclacitinib-treated dogs was not progressive, and affected all white blood cell counts
(neutrophil, eosinophil and monocyte counts) except lymphocyte counts. Neither of these
clinical pathology changes appeared clinically significant.
Regarding susceptibility to infection and neoplastic conditions, see section 4.5 “Special
precautions for use”.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary
medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the
marketing authorisation holder or the national competent authority via the national reporting
system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.
None.

Revised: December 2025
AN: 03096/2025

i) Special precautions for use in animals
Oclacitinib modulates the immune system and may increase susceptibility to infection and
exacerbate neoplastic conditions. Dogs receiving the veterinary medicinal product should
therefore be monitored for the development of infections and neoplasia.
When treating pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis with oclacitinib, investigate and
treat any underlying causes (e.g. flea allergic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, food
hypersensitivity). Furthermore, in cases of allergic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis, it is
recommended to investigate and treat complicating factors, such as bacterial, fungal or
parasitic infections/infestations (e.g. flea and mange).
Given the potential for effects on certain clinicopathological parameters (see section
No drug interactions were observed in field studies where oclacitinib was
administered concomitantly with veterinary medicinal products such as endo- and
ectoparasiticides, antimicrobials and anti-inflammatories.
The impact of oclacitinib administration on vaccination with modified live vaccines, canine
parvovirus (CPV), canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine parainfluenza (CPI) and
inactivated rabies vaccine (RV), on 16 week old vaccine naive puppies has been studied.
An adequate immune response (serology) to CDV and CPV vaccination was achieved when
puppies were administered oclacitinib at 1.8 mg/kg bodyweight (bw) twice daily for 84 days.
However, the findings of this study indicated a reduction in serological response to
vaccination with CPI and RV in puppies being treated with oclacitinib compared to untreated
controls. The clinical relevance of these observed effects for animals vaccinated while being
administered oclacitinib (in accordance with the recommended dosing regimen) is unclear.
Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.
Remaining tablet parts should be stored in the blister and be given at the next
administration.
tablets
Apoquel 16 mg
tablets
3.0–4.4½4.5–5.9½

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.

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