Apoquel 5.4mg tablets contain oclacitinib, a veterinary medicine used in dogs to control itching (pruritus) associated with allergic skin disease. Apoquel is commonly prescribed for dogs with allergic dermatitis, including canine atopic dermatitis, where inflammation and itch can become persistent. The 5.4mg strength is selected by a veterinary surgeon based on your dog’s bodyweight and treatment plan.
What Apoquel 5.4mg is used for
Apoquel is used to help control:
• Acute pruritus (sudden onset itching) linked to allergic dermatitis.
• Chronic pruritus (long-term or recurring itching) linked to allergic dermatitis, including canine atopic dermatitis.
Itching is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. A veterinary assessment is important to identify likely triggers, check for parasites or infection, and decide whether Apoquel is appropriate.
How Apoquel works
Allergic skin problems in dogs are driven by chemical messengers in the immune system. These messengers, often called cytokines, help coordinate inflammation and the sensation of itch. In allergic dermatitis, this signalling can become overactive, leading to redness, irritation, and scratching.
Oclacitinib works by targeting specific signalling pathways inside immune cells known as Janus kinases (JAKs). By reducing JAK-dependent signalling, Apoquel helps lower the activity of itch-promoting and inflammation-promoting cytokines. This can reduce the urge to scratch and can calm skin inflammation, which helps break the itch–scratch cycle that can damage the skin barrier.
Because it acts on immune signalling, Apoquel does not remove allergens from the environment, and it does not treat the root cause of parasites or infection. It is often used alongside an overall plan that may include flea control, skin care, diet management, and treatment of secondary bacterial or yeast infection where needed.
