Zoetis has confirmed that all UK veterinary wholesalers have been provided with stocks of the new chewable form of Apoquel (oclacitinib), which provides pet owners with the same benefits as original Apoquel in a treat-like formulation.
Apoquel chewable tablets were approved by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) in November 2021 and build on the success of the original Apoquel formulation. Since its launch eight years ago, it has become the number one most recommended treatment for canine pruritus in the UK and has been used to treat more than 3 million dogs in the UK alone.
Apoquel is the first and only Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor licensed for veterinary use and was specifically designed to target canine allergic itch and inflammation. Its rapid onset of action and short half-life make it particularly suitable for short-term use, allowing veterinarians to stop and start itch control during clinical assessment.
Apoquel Chewable contains the same active ingredient, at the same dosing regime, for the same indications as original Apoquel. It has been shown to be highly palatable, with 91.6 percent of doses voluntarily accepted in a clinical field study using client-owned dogs.
“Allergic dermatitis and its associated itch is a very common presentation in dogs. The discomfort experienced by an allergic dog significantly reduces quality of life and is very worrying for the owner,” said Dr Carly Mason, president of the British Veterinary Dermatology Study Group (BVDSG).
“The new chewable form of Apoquel provides owners with a means of controlling itch using a tablet that can be given like a treat or mixed with a meal, making it much easier for owners and more acceptable to their pet.
“In many cases, the chewable formulation will be the obvious first-line Apoquel for veterinarians to prescribe to control canine itching while the underlying cause of allergic dermatitis is investigated,” said Dr Mason.
With the addition of Apoquel Chewable to the Zoetis dermatology portfolio, which includes Cytopoint, there are now more options than ever to provide dogs with allergic dermatitis the relief they need. The longer duration of action of Cytopoint, offering month-long relief with a single in-practice injection, makes it best suited to long-term management.
Further information on Apoquel chewable tablets and other Zoetis dermatology products is available from local Zoetis Account Managers.
