# Lokivetmab: veterinary dose and monograph > Lokivetmab is a veterinary drug. A caninised MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY (a biologic, not a small-molecule drug) that targets and neutralises interleukin-31 (IL-31) — a key cytokine driving the ITCH of canine ATOPIC DERMATITIS. Indications include canine atopic dermatitis — control of pruritus (itch); allergic/atopic itch where oral daily medication is impractical or systemic drugs are undesirable; pruritus management in young dogs or those with concurrent disease (excellent safety). This monograph lists 2 reference doses for dogs, each with route, frequency and source. Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/lokivetmab · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01 ## At a glance - **Drug class:** Veterinary drug - **Also known as:** Cytopoint, anti-IL-31 monoclonal antibody - **Species with doses:** Dogs - **General dose range:** 1–3 mg/kg SC every 4–8 weeks (SC) — check the species tables for the indication - **Routes:** SC - **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026 ## Indications - Canine atopic dermatitis — control of pruritus (itch) - Allergic/atopic itch where oral daily medication is impractical or systemic drugs are undesirable - Pruritus management in young dogs or those with concurrent disease (excellent safety) ## Lokivetmab dose by species Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them. ### Dogs *Lokivetmab doses for dogs* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Allergic / atopic dermatitis (US label) | 2 mg/kg | SC | every 4–8 weeks as needed | — | | Atopic dermatitis (1 mg/kg minimum — EU label) | 1 mg/kg | SC | monthly | — | - Allergic / atopic dermatitis (US label): Plumb’s 10e p.772 (label dosage; USDA-approved): minimum 2 mg/kg SC, repeated every 4 to 8 weeks as needed, using whole vials by the weight table; dogs under 2.3 kg get 0.2 mL/kg drawn from a single 10 mg vial (discard the rest); over 18.1 kg combine vials in one syringe as a single injection. Onset within about 1 day. Papich 5e has no lokivetmab monograph. - Atopic dermatitis (1 mg/kg minimum — EU label): Plumb’s 10e p.773 (extra-label in the US): 1 mg/kg SC once a month as the recommended minimum dosage — the EU label minimum. ## Contraindications Known hypersensitivity to lokivetmab. Observe the label minimum age/weight (very few restrictions otherwise). It treats the ITCH of atopic dermatitis — not a substitute for managing secondary infections or other pruritus causes. Not for cats (it is a caninised antibody; feline-specific products differ). ## Species-specific warnings > **Caution:** Dogs: Treats pruritus of atopic dermatitis only — concurrently manage secondary infections and the underlying allergy; re-dose when itch recurs (~4–8 weeks). ## Adverse effects - Very well tolerated — adverse effects uncommon - Occasional injection-site reaction, lethargy, vomiting/diarrhoea - Rare hypersensitivity/anaphylactoid reaction - Possible reduced effect over time in a minority (anti-drug antibodies, uncommon) ## Drug interactions - No clinically significant drug interactions (a protein biologic — not metabolised by CYP/renal pathways) - Can be combined with antibiotics, antifungals, steroids, oclacitinib, ciclosporin, vaccines, parasiticides - Does not interfere with allergy testing or immunotherapy ## Pregnancy and lactation Safety in breeding/pregnant/lactating dogs not specifically established — use only if clearly needed (though biologics generally have limited fetal transfer early). ## Monitoring - Pruritus/lesion score and duration of effect (re-dose when itch returns, ~4–8 weeks) - Manage concurrent secondary skin infections and other pruritus drivers (lokivetmab treats itch only) - Injection-site/hypersensitivity reactions (uncommon) - No routine bloodwork monitoring required (a key advantage) ## Toxicity and overdose Outstanding safety profile — no characteristic organ toxicity, no metabolism-based toxicity, and no need for bloodwork monitoring. The main events are uncommon injection-site or hypersensitivity reactions. A minority of dogs may show reduced response over time. It targets only itch — it does not treat the underlying allergy or secondary infections. Management: No specific antidote needed; the wide safety margin of a targeted antibody means overdose is very low-risk. Treat any hypersensitivity reaction supportively (antihistamine/corticosteroid; epinephrine if anaphylactoid). Supportive care. ## Clinical pearls - A targeted biologic that switches off the IL-31 "itch signal" of canine atopic dermatitis — one SC injection gives ~4–8 weeks of relief, with onset within a day - Exceptionally SAFE (no metabolism-based toxicity, no monitoring bloods, minimal interactions) — ideal for young dogs, those with comorbidities, or where daily oral meds/steroids are undesirable - It controls ITCH only — still diagnose and treat secondary pyoderma/Malassezia and address the underlying allergy (allergen avoidance/immunotherapy) - Compatible with vaccines, parasiticides and most drugs, and does not interfere with allergy testing/immunotherapy - A canine-specific antibody — not for cats ## Mechanism of action A caninised IgG monoclonal antibody that binds circulating interleukin-31 (IL-31) — a cytokine produced by activated T-helper-2 lymphocytes that signals to sensory neurons to evoke the sensation of itch (and contributes to skin inflammation) in atopic dermatitis. By sequestering IL-31, it blocks this itch signal at the source. As a protein biologic it is processed by normal protein catabolism (not hepatic/renal drug metabolism), giving its clean safety/interaction profile. ## Formulations and products - Injection 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 mg single-dose vial (Cytopoint) - Cytopoint (Zoetis) — 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 mg single-dose vials, SC injection (monoclonal antibody) ## Storage Vials: REFRIGERATE (2–8 °C), protect from light; do not freeze. Single-dose vials — use promptly once opened. ## Before you use this dose > **Caution:** Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision. ## Other hormones, emergency drugs, supplements and other drugs - [Leflunomide](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/leflunomide) - [Leucovorin (Folinic Acid)](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/leucovorin) - [Levetiracetam](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/levetiracetam) - [Levothyroxine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/levothyroxine) - [Lomustine (CCNU)](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/lomustine) - [Loratadine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/loratadine) - [Megestrol Acetate](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/megestrol-acetate) - [Metformin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/metformin) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the dose of Lokivetmab for dogs? Reference doses for Lokivetmab in dogs: 2 mg/kg SC every 4–8 weeks as needed (Allergic / atopic dermatitis (US label)); 1 mg/kg SC monthly (Atopic dermatitis (1 mg/kg minimum — EU label)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use. ### When should Lokivetmab not be used? Known hypersensitivity to lokivetmab. Observe the label minimum age/weight (very few restrictions otherwise). It treats the ITCH of atopic dermatitis — not a substitute for managing secondary infections or other pruritus causes. Not for cats (it is a caninised antibody; feline-specific products differ). ### What are the side effects of Lokivetmab in animals? Very well tolerated — adverse effects uncommon; Occasional injection-site reaction, lethargy, vomiting/diarrhoea; Rare hypersensitivity/anaphylactoid reaction; Possible reduced effect over time in a minority (anti-drug antibodies, uncommon). ## Sources - Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook - Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition - Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition --- VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.