New drug release for allergy dogs - Apoquel

[Mistymillar]

This is the drug my Vet Derm is proposing we try Alfie on when it is release in Uk in January.

I googled the links below, interested in your thoughts as a lot of you have a much better experience and knowledge of meds than me. I think it is similar to Atopica?


Apoquel is a veterinary medicine that contains the active substance oclaticinib. Apoquel tablets are available in three different strengths (3.5 mg, 5.4 mg and 16 mg) to cover a range of dog weights.


https://online.zoetis.com/US/EN/Prod...Apoquel_PI.pdf
European Medicines Agency - Veterinary medicines - Apoquel
NOAH Compendium of Animal Medicines: Apoquel film-coated tablets for dogs - Contra-indications, warnings, etc

[Wylie's Mom]

Ooooo, interesting!!! Thanks so much for letting us know this finally came to market. This will be very exciting news for some doggies.

It's somewhat similar to Atopica in that it works within the immune system....Atopica works on T cells and interleukin-2, while Apoquel works on enzymes called Janus kinases (inhibits them). So, what's great about this is that if Atopica doesn't work for one dog, Apoquel may - so it opens up new possibilities. Yay!

[Patti]

Good to know. The atopica works great for Cali but it's good to know in case it stops working.

[Mistymillar]

We got Alfie's new drugs today. Prescription is 1/2 morning and evening for 2 weeks then just 1/2 per day. For the first few days we should keep him on his normal meds which is 1/2 pireton and 1/4 citerizine (sp?) every day and full prednisone every other day.

He has had his usual meds and only 1/2 Apoquel today as we only got to vets late morning.

Ummmm, I think he is very lethargic tonight. A bit zonked out with only a first small dose of meds. I will see how he is first thing and if he doesn't seem like somebody who took their mothers Valium to Woodstock, then I may give him another 1/2 as prescribed. He has not followed me or my husband anywhere since taking new meds, but did get very showy offy with my grandsons when they came earlier, like look how I can growl and shake this squeaky toy which is ok normal.

I need to give these meds a chance and they are new, so I will also be keeping in touch with my vet derm (Pat)

I will be considering this option very closely (obviously, it's for my best buddy) he should have a fun life chasing balls, not a long life not able to chase balls.

Also, saw a few new rashes today before he got any meds and in a place (back of shoulders) that I don't think he can lick or bite, however borderline area.

Will keep you all up to date. Just looked over and he is zonked,

[107barney]

I don't know much about it, but our vet derm is already using it for her patients and and brochures in her office. My dog does very well on Atopica. I'm sorry he is zonked -- maybe he needs some time to adjust to the meds? Keep us posted on your little one.

[cdawnfine]

I was given the choice of this drug or a topic a from the derm vet, he explained that his med works quicker in the beginning, studies have show this is an everyday forever treatment, while the Atopica might take a little longer to show results, most dogs can be weened to a weekly dose. I chose the Atopica and Milo is doing great! If you are concerned maybe you can ask about the Atopica.

I hope your pup feels better

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by cdawnfine

I was given the choice of this drug or a topic a from the derm vet, he explained that his med works quicker in the beginning, studies have show this is an everyday forever treatment, while the Atopica might take a little longer to show results, most dogs can be weened to a weekly dose. I chose the Atopica and Milo is doing great! If you are concerned maybe you can ask about the Atopica.

I hope your pup feels better

Oh wow, didn't realize that this newer med was now available in the US. Cool!

Did your vet mention whether or not he's seeing good results yet w/ the newer drug? What was the price of the Apoquel vs Atopica, did he say? That would be interesting to know since Atopica def is not cheap.

[cdawnfine]

I did not ask, I am not big on pharmaceuticals, I would rather go a natural route when possible so I went with the Atopica, so far so good he is off the prednisone*and not licking or scratching, we go for our follow up tomorrow night.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Oh wow, didn't realize that this newer med was now available in the US. Cool!

Did your vet mention whether or not he's seeing good results yet w/ the newer drug? What was the price of the Apoquel vs Atopica, did he say? That would be interesting to know since Atopica def is not cheap.

[Mistymillar]

Alfie has been on Apoquel for just over a week now, still weaning off prednisone but I am seeing a really great improvement. He has been bare naked for most of this past weekend, the longest time in more than a year.
Still gets his Jammie's on when we go to work, I still don't trust he won't scratch when we are not around and he can rip his skin apart pretty good in seconds.

So far it is looking really promising.
I was a little worried as he was a bit zonked on day 1 and 2 but he seems fine again now.

He should get his last dose of pred on Wednesday then at the end of this week we cut his Apoquel down from half twice daily to half just once a day.

I will update again next week.

[Mistymillar]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Oh wow, didn't realize that this newer med was now available in the US. Cool!

Did your vet mention whether or not he's seeing good results yet w/ the newer drug? What was the price of the Apoquel vs Atopica, did he say? That would be interesting to know since Atopica def is not cheap.

Before the release my vet derm said it would be cheaper than atopic a. However we haven't paid for his first lot yet as the vet hadn't priced it up when we collected.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by cdawnfine

I did not ask, I am not big on pharmaceuticals, I would rather go a natural route when possible so I went with the Atopica, so far so good he is off the prednisone*and not licking or scratching, we go for our follow up tomorrow night.

Atopica is most definitely a pharmaceutical, is not natural, and majorly affects the immune system. So, is your kiddo actually on something else that is not a pharmaceutical / is natural? Maybe it has a similar name to Atopica? I'm confused.

[Tyrone]

My vet called this morning to let me know about this new drug Apoquel, just becoming available in NH, that may work for Tyrone, who has severe environmental allergies. He does very well 3 seasons of the year, but as soon as we are shut in for the winter, his skin erupts. He's been on Atopica for 10 months, but still has flare ups that are so difficult to deal with. Anyway, my vet has high hopes for this med, and said it's been great in studies, and does not have the possible long term bad effects that can happen with Atopica, never mind the steroids. Also, the cost is about 70.00 for a 180 day supply for Ty who is 10 pounds...huge savings. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this...the pills won't be in for 6-8 weeks...so it's Atopica till then, and hopefully it will be spring and we'll be outside more !

[georgaline]

My fourteen yearold Yorkie has been having a terrible itch for almost 3 years.
I have tried to find the answer but can’t .
He has had a skin scrap and i was told it was under lying Bacterial infection.
He is on Betamox as he won’t take tablets, and I wash him every other day in Malaseb Shampoo
He has had steroid injections which really help but i know they aren’t good for his kidneys.
Should i let him have injections so he is comfortable

I am in Dungannon so i am quite near you

[georgaline]

My fourteen yearold Yorkie has been having a terrible itch for almost 3 years.
I have tried to find the answer but can’t .
He has had a skin scrap and i was told it was under lying Bacterial infection.
He is on Betamox as he won’t take tablets, and I wash him every other day in Malaseb Shampoo
He has had steroid injections which really help but i know they aren’t good for his kidneys.
Should i let him have injections so he is comfortable

[georgaline]

do any of these come in liquid , I can't get a tablet into Ben