# Oclacitinib: veterinary dose and monograph

> Oclacitinib is a veterinary drug. Janus-kinase (JAK1) inhibitor that targets the cytokine pathways (notably IL-31) driving the itch and inflammation of allergic skin disease. Indications include canine allergic dermatitis (atopic / flea-allergic / food-allergic pruritus); atopic dermatitis — control of itch and inflammation. This monograph lists 8 reference doses for dogs and cats, each with route, frequency and source.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/oclacitinib · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Veterinary drug
- **Also known as:** Apoquel
- **Species with doses:** Dogs and Cats
- **General dose range:** 0.4–0.6 mg/kg PO q12h × 14 days, then q24h — check the species tables for the indication
- **Routes:** PO
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Canine allergic dermatitis (atopic / flea-allergic / food-allergic pruritus)
- Atopic dermatitis — control of itch and inflammation

## Oclacitinib 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

*Oclacitinib doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Allergic / atopic pruritus | 0.4–0.6 mg/kg | PO | q12h for up to 14 days, then q24h for maintenance | — |
| Atopic pruritus — relapse on once-daily maintenance | 0.4–0.6 mg/kg | PO | q12h | — |
| Pruritus of sarcoptic mange (with antiparasitic) | 0.5 mg/kg | PO | q12h × 14 days, then q24h × 14 days | — |
| Ischaemic dermatopathy (with prednisolone) | 0.5–0.7 mg/kg | PO | q12h | — |
| Hyperkeratotic erythema multiforme | 0.6–0.9 mg/kg | PO | q12h | — |

- Allergic / atopic pruritus: Papich 5e (Apoquel label): 0.4–0.6 mg/kg (target 0.5 mg/kg) PO twice daily for up to 14 days, then once daily; with or without food. Not for dogs under 12 months or with serious infections. Plumb’s 10e p.949 (label dosage; FDA-approved): 0.4–0.6 mg/kg PO every 12 hours for up to 14 days, then every 24 hours for maintenance; long-term twice-daily use is not recommended. Papich 5e gives no cat dose — see the Plumb’s 10e cat rows.
- Atopic pruritus — relapse on once-daily maintenance: Plumb’s 10e p.949 (extra-label): for dogs whose signs recur when reduced to once-daily maintenance, 0.4–0.6 mg/kg PO every 12 hours (anecdotally 0.2–0.3 mg/kg q12h). Long-term safety of these dosages has not been rigorously studied.
- Pruritus of sarcoptic mange (with antiparasitic): Plumb’s 10e p.949 (extra-label): in conjunction with systemic antiparasitic treatment, 0.5 mg/kg PO every 12 hours for 14 days, then every 24 hours for another 14 days.
- Ischaemic dermatopathy (with prednisolone): Plumb’s 10e p.949 (extra-label, case series n = 4): 0.5–0.7 mg/kg PO twice daily with oral prednisolone 0.5–1 mg/kg/day; after prednisolone was stopped, reduction to once daily was attempted but 3 of 4 dogs needed twice-daily dosing. A case report used 0.6 mg/kg q12h for 60 days, then q24h.
- Hyperkeratotic erythema multiforme: Plumb’s 10e p.949 (extra-label, case report n = 2): 0.6–0.9 mg/kg PO twice daily; complete remission at 7 and 12 weeks.

### Cats

*Oclacitinib doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS) | 1 mg/kg | PO | q12–24h | 28 days |
| Hypersensitivity dermatitis / head and neck pruritus | 0.4–0.8 mg/kg | PO | q12h × 14 days, then q24h × 14 days | — |
| Asthma | 0.5–1 mg/kg | PO | q12h | — |

- Feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS): Plumb’s 10e p.949 (extra-label): 1 mg/kg PO once or twice daily for 28 days. Not approved in cats; screen for FIV/FeLV first, and use only when drugs with known feline safety cannot be used or are ineffective (p.948).
- Hypersensitivity dermatitis / head and neck pruritus: Plumb’s 10e p.949 (extra-label): 0.4–0.8 mg/kg PO every 12 hours for 14 days, then every 24 hours for 14 more days — practically 2.7 mg per cat (NOT mg/kg), i.e. half a 5.4 mg tablet. Screen for FIV/FeLV first.
- Asthma: Plumb’s 10e p.949 (extra-label): 0.5–1 mg/kg PO every 12 hours. No adverse effects at 0.5 or 1 mg/kg q12h for 28 days in cats with experimental asthma (p.948). Screen for FIV/FeLV first.

## Contraindications

Dogs < 12 months (demodicosis / serious infection risk). Pre-existing serious infection, demodicosis or neoplasia (may worsen). Breeding / pregnant / lactating bitches. Use cautiously with other immunosuppressants.

## Species-specific warnings

> **Caution:** Dogs: Do not use in dogs < 12 months or with serious infection, demodicosis or neoplasia — JAK-inhibitor immunosuppression can worsen these conditions.

> **Caution:** Cats: Not approved in cats and long-term safety data are limited (Plumb’s 10e p.948): screen for FIV/FeLV before treatment (fatal toxoplasmosis was reported in an FIV-positive cat), and use only when drugs with known feline safety cannot be used or are ineffective. GI effects were seen at 2 mg/kg q12h.

## Adverse effects

- Vomiting, diarrhoea (usually mild)
- Increased susceptibility to skin / ear / UTI infections, demodicosis
- Mild changes in WBC / lipase; rarely new or worsening neoplasia

## Drug interactions

- Other immunosuppressants (glucocorticoids, ciclosporin): additive immunosuppression / infection risk — combine only with caution
- Modified-live vaccines: immune response may be blunted during therapy
- No significant cytochrome-P450 interactions reported

## Pregnancy and lactation

Not for use in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs — safety not established.

## Monitoring

- Periodic CBC and biochemistry on long-term therapy
- Watch for recurrent pyoderma, otitis, demodicosis or UTI
- Reassess for masses / neoplasia in older dogs

## Toxicity and overdose

Sustained immunosuppression predisposes to demodicosis, deep pyoderma, pneumonia and UTI, and may unmask or accelerate neoplasia; overdose causes reversible CBC changes. It is not an acute single-dose poison.

## Clinical pearls

- Step down to once-daily after the 14-day induction — staying twice-daily long term is off-label and unnecessary
- Works within a day, so it is excellent for breaking an acute itch cycle while you investigate the allergy
- Avoid in dogs under a year and in any dog with active demodicosis or serious infection

## Mechanism of action

Janus-kinase inhibitor (predominantly JAK1). Blocks JAK-dependent intracellular signalling of pruritogenic and pro-inflammatory cytokines — above all IL-31, the key "itch" cytokine of canine atopic dermatitis, plus IL-2/4/6/13 — dampening allergic itch and inflammation without the broad metabolic effects of glucocorticoids.

## Formulations and products

- Apoquel 3.6 mg tablet
- Apoquel 5.4 mg tablet
- Apoquel 16 mg tablet
- Apoquel (Zoetis) — 3.6 / 5.4 / 16 mg, Film-coated / chewable tablet

## Storage

Store at 15–25 °C, dry.

## 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.

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## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Oclacitinib for dogs?

Reference doses for Oclacitinib in dogs: 0.4–0.6 mg/kg PO q12h for up to 14 days, then q24h for maintenance (Allergic / atopic pruritus); 0.4–0.6 mg/kg PO q12h (Atopic pruritus — relapse on once-daily maintenance); 0.5 mg/kg PO q12h × 14 days, then q24h × 14 days (Pruritus of sarcoptic mange (with antiparasitic)); 0.5–0.7 mg/kg PO q12h (Ischaemic dermatopathy (with prednisolone)); and 1 more indication-specific doses listed on this page. Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Oclacitinib for cats?

Reference doses for Oclacitinib in cats: 1 mg/kg PO q12–24h for 28 days (Feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS)); 0.4–0.8 mg/kg PO q12h × 14 days, then q24h × 14 days (Hypersensitivity dermatitis / head and neck pruritus); 0.5–1 mg/kg PO q12h (Asthma). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Oclacitinib not be used?

Dogs < 12 months (demodicosis / serious infection risk). Pre-existing serious infection, demodicosis or neoplasia (may worsen). Breeding / pregnant / lactating bitches. Use cautiously with other immunosuppressants.

### What are the side effects of Oclacitinib in animals?

Vomiting, diarrhoea (usually mild); Increased susceptibility to skin / ear / UTI infections, demodicosis; Mild changes in WBC / lipase; rarely new or worsening neoplasia.

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition

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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.