Zenrelia for Dogs is a prescription-only medication for dogs aged 12 months and older, used to control itching and inflammation associated with allergic and atopic dermatitis. Zenrelia belongs to a class of medication known as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Zenrelia is administered once daily by mouth and may be given with or without food.
How Zenrelia works
Zenrelia Tablets act by inhibiting Janus kinase enzymes. These enzymes play a key role in the inflammatory and itch-signal pathways. By reducing the activity of these enzymes, Zenrelia interrupts the itch-scratch cycle. That helps to ease itching and allows inflamed skin to begin healing. It is neither a corticosteroid nor an antihistamine, but it addresses itch and inflammation at a molecular level.
When to use Zenrelia
Zenrelia is suitable for dogs showing symptoms of persistent itching and skin irritation caused by allergic or atopic dermatitis. It may b...
Zenrelia for Dogs is a prescription-only medication for dogs aged 12 months and older, used to control itching and inflammation associated with allergic and atopic dermatitis. Zenrelia belongs to a class of medication known as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Zenrelia is administered once daily by mouth and may be given with or without food.
How Zenrelia works
Zenrelia Tablets act by inhibiting Janus kinase enzymes. These enzymes play a key role in the inflammatory and itch-signal pathways. By reducing the activity of these enzymes, Zenrelia interrupts the itch-scratch cycle. That helps to ease itching and allows inflamed skin to begin healing. It is neither a corticosteroid nor an antihistamine, but it addresses itch and inflammation at a molecular level.
When to use Zenrelia
Zenrelia is suitable for dogs showing symptoms of persistent itching and skin irritation caused by allergic or atopic dermatitis. It may be used:
At the first consultation to provide itch relief
During diagnostic investigations to manage symptoms
As part of a long-term maintenance plan to control chronic skin conditions
It is not appropriate for use in dogs younger than 12 months, dogs with serious or active infections, or dogs intended for breeding, pregnancy or lactation.
Allergic and atopic dermatitis in dogs
Atopic dermatitis (also known as atopy) is a chronic, lifelong allergic skin disorder that affects approximately 10–15 per cent of dogs. Diagnosis usually follows the exclusion of other causes such as parasites, food allergies or contact dermatitis.
Allergic dermatitis may arise from environmental allergens, flea bites, certain foods or contact with irritants. Symptoms commonly include intense itching, redness, hair loss and skin lesions. Flea allergy dermatitis affects around 8 per cent of dogs, while food-related skin allergies may account for approximately 20 per cent of cases.
Dogs with these conditions often suffer ongoing discomfort, disturbed sleep, secondary skin infections and reduced quality of life.
Zenrelia is a huge improvement on previous treatments for the following reasons:
Zenrelia modulates the immune system and may impact vaccine response. Dogs must be fully vaccinated before starting treatment. Vaccination should be avoided during Zenrelia therapy and for at least 28 days (up to three months) before and after treatment to minimise the risk of fatal vaccine-induced disease or poor immune response.
6.4mg Zenrelia is a once-daily, orally administered tablet containing ilunocitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor indicated for dogs from 12 months of age and weighing at least 3kg. It is formulated as a small, unflavoured film-coated tablet designed for ease of administration with or without food, with consistent dosing recommended at the same time each day.
Zenrelia works by inhibiting Janus kinase pathways involved in the inflammatory and pruritic signalling cascade. By targeting these pathways, Zenrelia reduces the biochemical processes that result in the characteristic itch and inflammation of allergic and atopic dermatitis. Following oral administration, it is rapidly absorbed, with visible improvements often appearing within 24 hours. While some dogs respond immediately, a full assessment of response should wait at least one week, with most showing notable improvement in itch and skin condition by two to four weeks.
Zenrelia 6.4mg is appropriate for use from the first veterinary consultation through diagnostic work-up and into long-term maintenance. Its simple, once-daily dosing implies that caregivers can begin treatment before a full diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, helping manage symptoms while underlying causes are explored and addressed.
VETERINARY PRESCRIPTION REQUIRED
4.8mg Zenrelia for Dogs
Zenrelia 4.8mg is a once-daily, tablet formulated for dogs aged twelve months and older to manage the itch and inflammation linked to allergic and atopic dermatitis. The active ingredient, ilunocitinib, acts as a non-selective Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. It works by interrupting key inflammatory signalling pathways that trigger itch sensations and skin irritation. Zenrelia is not a corticosteroid or antihistamine, but instead targets the underlying immune-mediated mechanisms that fuel pruritus and lesion formation.
Since ilunocitinib is rapidly absorbed and has a short half-life, the tablet begins to provide relief swiftly following administration and clears from the dog’s system within about 24 hours if treatment is paused. This pharmacokinetic profile offers dosing flexibility, permitting treatment to be initiated or stopped as needed, for instance, during diagnostic food trials without lingering drug accumulation.
4.8mg Zenrelia is designed for convenience and compliance. It can be administered with or without food and requires no loading dose or tapering phase. The scoring on the tablets in multiple strengths enables precise dosing from as low as approximately 0.6 mg per kilogram up to 0.8 mg per kilogram (0.27–0.36 mg per pound). This makes Zenrelia adaptable for dogs of different sizes and weight classes.
In clinical trials involving several hundred dogs with allergic or atopic dermatitis, Zenrelia demonstrated rapid reduction in itch scores and skin lesion severity, with outcomes comparable to or exceeding those of existing JAK inhibitors. Visual and numerical assessments showed notable improvements in both itching and inflammation within weeks of treatment commencement. The repeat-daily dosing maintained this effect over the longer term, supporting skin health and owner satisfaction.
VETERINARY PRESCRIPTION REQUIRED
