It should address the need for a treatment that works fast and with minimal side effects.
Apoquel® should relieve itching within hours and provide long term relief and it should be better tolerated than steroids or cyclosporine, drugs most commonly used to control allergic dogs.
Unlike most current treatments, Apoquel® is targeted specifically to the itch and inflammation associated with allergic skin disease.
Apoquel® is an immunomodulator that blocks the action of enzymes involved with itch and inflammation.
These enzymes play an important role in the processes of inflammation and itchiness including those involved in allergic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis in dogs
Sounds interesting for sure. However, it is a new drug so caution is always advised.
Clinical trials and broad use in real life don't always reflect the same level of safety. Out vet typically likes to wait and see how a new drug does in real world. "Let somebody else's dog be the guinea pig." Generally, I agree with that approach.
However, if I had a dog really miserable from allergies, it would be something I'd put on my list of things to consider.
According to Zoetis, this drug may increase susceptibility to infections, pneumonia and Demodex mange in some dogs. It may exacerbate certain types of cancer as well.
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Source article:
FDA Approves APOQUEL® (oclacitinib tablet) to Control Itch and Inflammation in Allergic Dogs
Further reading:
Apoquel™
Apoquel by European Medicines Agency