Apoquel Chewable (oclacitinib chewable tablet) has earned U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval as the first and only chewable medication for controlling pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis and atopy in dogs.
“Veterinarians and pet owners prefer chewable options,” said Andy Hillier, BVSc, MANZCVS (Canine Medicine), DACVD, the director of dermatology medical strategy at Zoetis Inc., the drug’s manufacturer.
One study found that 56% of pet owners chose a chewable over an injection or tablet, Dr. Hillier said.
According to Zoetis, fast-acting Apoquel is the most common treatment for pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis and atopy, prescribed to more than 13 million dogs a year. Original Apoquel was released in 2013 in tablet form.
A U.S. field trial of Apoquel Chewable administered 1,662 doses to 120 dogs over 14 days. Nearly 92% of the doses were accepted voluntarily within five minutes, Zoetis stated.
The chewable is pork liver flavored.
“As a veterinarian, I often hear from frustrated pet owners who report that their dog resists accepting an unflavored tablet, whether it is hidden inside food or the dog has taken the pill previously, and this can have a significant impact on the quality of life for dogs living with atopic dermatitis,” said Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD, speaking on behalf of Zoetis.
Another study found that 79.9% of dog owners considered ease of administration an important factor when choosing medication for their dog.
The European Commission approved the chewable version in 2022.