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Apoquel Chewable Tablets for Dogs (Oclacitinib)
From Price range: £25.82 through £236.77
- Prescription Required
Apoquel Chewable Tablets for Dogs (Oclacitinib)
From Price range: £25.82 through £236.77
Apoquel Chewable (oclacitinib) is a fast-acting prescription treatment for the intense itching and skin inflammation caused by allergic and atopic dermatitis in dogs. The flavoured, chewable format makes daily dosing easier for dogs that dislike standard tablets.
- Highly palatable, treat-like chewable
- Rapid-acting relief from itching
- Targets the itch at its source, not just the symptoms
- A non-steroid alternative for many dogs
- Available in three strengths: 3.6mg, 5.4mg and 16mg
Dosage: Based on a dog’s weight. Common side effects: Vomiting, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, lethargy
Apoquel is also available as standard film-coated tablets — this page covers the flavoured chewable format. Please order the exact strength and formulation shown on your prescription.
Order Monday to Friday before 14:00pm to guarantee next
day delivery.
Please select size and quantity as shown in your prescription.
Ordering Prescription-Only Products
This item requires a current prescription from your vet before we can dispatch it. The good news? Sorting it out is simple and only takes a moment.
- Select or register your pet
- Attach a clear image or PDF of the prescription
- Complete your order at checkout
As soon as your prescription reaches us, our team will verify the details and get your pet’s treatment posted out to you.
Order Monday to Friday before 14:00pm to guarantee next
day delivery.
Product Features
Apoquel Chewable (oclacitinib) is a fast-acting prescription treatment for the intense itching and skin inflammation caused by allergic and atopic dermatitis in dogs. The flavoured, chewable format makes daily dosing easier for dogs that dislike standard tablets.
- Highly palatable, treat-like chewable
- Rapid-acting relief from itching
- Targets the itch at its source, not just the symptoms
- A non-steroid alternative for many dogs
- Available in three strengths: 3.6mg, 5.4mg and 16mg
Dosage: Based on a dog’s weight. Common side effects: Vomiting, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, lethargy
Apoquel is also available as standard film-coated tablets — this page covers the flavoured chewable format. Please order the exact strength and formulation shown on your prescription.
Product Details
This product will be dispatched once a valid prescription is provided and verified by our team.
Apoquel Chewable Tablets for Dogs provide relief from the pruritus (itching) associated with allergic dermatitis, and from the clinical signs of atopic dermatitis, in dogs aged 12 months and older. The active ingredient, oclacitinib, tackles itch and inflammation at their source rather than simply masking the symptoms.
Each tablet is scored so it can be split into halves for accurate dosing, and can be given with or without food. Because they’re palatable and treat-like, store them somewhere your pets can’t reach to avoid accidental overdose.
How Apoquel Works
Oclacitinib is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. It works by targeting the JAK enzymes that transmit the itch and inflammation signals driving allergic skin disease in dogs, calming the itch at a cellular level. For many dogs, this offers a rapid-acting alternative to steroids.
Because oclacitinib modulates the immune system, your vet will monitor your dog during treatment and may recommend periodic blood tests during long-term use. Apoquel is not a steroid and is not an antihistamine.
Who Should Not Take Apoquel
Apoquel Chewable should not be used in:
- Dogs younger than 12 months of age or under 3 kg bodyweight
- Dogs with a known hypersensitivity to oclacitinib or any of the other ingredients
- Dogs with evidence of immune suppression (such as hyperadrenocorticism) or progressive malignant disease, as the medicine has not been evaluated in these dogs
- Pregnant, lactating or breeding dogs, as safety has not been established
Flavouring & diet trials: because these chewables contain a pork-based flavouring, they are not suitable for dogs with a known pork sensitivity or for dogs undergoing a strict elimination diet trial. In these cases, ask your vet about the unflavoured film-coated tablets.
For dogs only: this formulation is developed specifically for dogs and should never be given to cats or other animals except under direct veterinary direction.
- Made by Zoetis and licensed for dogs only.
- They should never be given to cats or any other animal unless your vet specifically directs it.
- If your prescription specifies film-coated tablets, we won’t be able to dispense the chewable format against it.
Legal Category: POM-V
View the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) information for this product
Instructions
Indications for use
Dosing must always be directed by your vet. The information below is a general guide taken from the manufacturer’s datasheet — always follow your vet’s specific instructions. The standard starting dose for Apoquel is twice daily (BID) for the first 14 days, then once daily (SID) for maintenance.
In practice, many dogs experience a slight return of mild itching on days 15–17 as their body adjusts to the lower dose.
Apoquel Chewable Dosage Chart
| Dog’s bodyweight | Tablets to give | Tablet strength |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0–4.4 kg | ½ tablet | 3.6 mg |
| 4.5–5.9 kg | ½ tablet | 5.4 mg |
| 6.0–8.9 kg | 1 tablet | 3.6 mg |
| 9.0–13.4 kg | 1 tablet | 5.4 mg |
| 13.5–19.9 kg | ½ tablet | 16 mg |
| 20.0–22.7 kg* | ½ + ½ tablet | 5.4 mg + 16 mg |
| 22.8–26.7 kg* | ½ + ½ tablet | 5.4 mg + 16 mg |
| 26.8–39.9 kg | 1 tablet | 16 mg |
| 40.0–54.9 kg | 1½ tablets | 16 mg |
| 55.0–80.0 kg | 2 tablets | 16 mg |
Dosing frequency: 0.4–0.6 mg oclacitinib/kg bodyweight, given twice daily for up to 14 days initially, then once daily for maintenance. Tablets are scored and can be split in half; can be given with or without food.
*Alternatively, two 5.4 mg tablets can be administered.
(½ × 5.4 mg + ½ × 16 mg = 10.7 mg; 2 × 5.4 mg = 10.8 mg — the two options give an almost identical total dose.)
1 Overdose studies in healthy dogs given repeated doses above the label rate over an extended period did not identify a specific antidote; suspected overdose should be managed with supportive, symptomatic veterinary treatment. Source: VMD Product Information Database (SPC)
Warnings
Apoquel Chewable is not for use in dogs under 12 months of age or under 3 kg bodyweight. It should not be given to dogs with a hypersensitivity to oclacitinib, or to dogs with evidence of immune suppression (such as hyperadrenocorticism) or progressive malignant disease.
Oclacitinib modulates the immune system and may increase a dog’s susceptibility to infection and worsen existing neoplastic (tumour) conditions. Dogs on treatment should be monitored by their vet for the development of infections and neoplasia, and periodic blood tests are recommended during long-term use. Your vet will weigh the benefits and risks before starting Apoquel in dogs with a history of recurrent infections or neoplasia.
Apoquel Chewable is not recommended for use in pregnant, lactating or breeding dogs, as its safety has not been established in these animals.
Because the tablets are flavoured, keep them in a secure place out of reach of dogs, cats and other animals to prevent accidental ingestion.
Human warnings: for use in animals only, and in dogs only. Keep out of reach of children — accidental ingestion may be harmful. Wash your hands after giving the tablets. Give the tablet to your dog immediately after removing it from the blister. In case of accidental ingestion by a person, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or label to the doctor.
Sizes
Apoquel Chewable is dispensed in exact prescription quantities across all three strengths (Apoquel 3.6mg, 5.4mg and 16mg):
- Single tablet
- Pack of 100 tablets
Key Benefits
- Fast-acting: Peak levels in under 1 hour; 89% bioavailability.
- Flexible dosing: Twice daily initially, then once daily maintenance.
- Easy to give: Works with or without food; scored tablets in 3 strengths.
- Safe combinations: No interactions with common pet meds.
- Dual action: Treats allergic itch and atopic dermatitis symptoms.
- No build-up: Safe for long-term use (no drug accumulation).
Ingredients
Active ingredient: each chewable tablet contains oclacitinib (as oclacitinib maleate).
The tablets are flavoured with a pork-based (porcine) flavouring.
How it works to order pet prescription medications online
Choose your
treatment
Select the treatment you would like to order
Upload a prescription copy at
the checkout
Provide all the information about your pet
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Delivery
Your order will be sent in discreet packaging.
Frequently asked questions
What are the side effects of Apoquel Chewables?
Apoquel Side Effects
Like all medicines, Apoquel can cause side effects, though not every dog will get them. The frequencies below are taken directly from the manufacturer's datasheet.
Very common (more than 1 in 10 dogs): pyoderma (skin infection), skin lumps, and papillomas (warts).
Common (up to 1 in 10 dogs): lethargy, lipoma (fatty lump), increased thirst, increased appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, histiocytoma, fungal skin infection, pododermatitis (sore paws), ear infection, swollen lymph nodes, cystitis, and aggression.
Very rare (fewer than 1 in 10,000 dogs): anaemia, lymphoma, and convulsions.
Because oclacitinib acts on the immune system, it may increase the risk of infections and can worsen certain existing conditions, which is why your vet will monitor your dog throughout treatment. If you notice anything that concerns you, speak to your vet.
Are Chewables Safe for Food-Allergic Dogs?
Apoquel Chewables contain pork liver and yeast for flavour. While safe for most, dogs on strict hypoallergenic diets or with known pork allergies should use the standard unflavoured tablets to avoid potential flare-ups.
Standard Apoquel vs. Apoquel Chewables: What is the Difference?
The active ingredient (Oclacitinib) is identical in both. The difference is purely the format: standard tablets are film-coated and tasteless, while chewables are flavoured for easier administration. Both provide the same clinical efficacy and rapid relief.
Do Apoquel chewable tablets need to be given with food?
No. They can be given with or without food without affecting absorption. Most dogs accept the flavoured chewable as a treat.
Do I need a prescription to buy POM-V pet medicines online?
Yes. POM-V items require a valid prescription from your UK vet.
How do I send you my prescription?
Upload your prescription during checkout.
I uploaded a photo—why was it rejected?
Photos must be clear. If details are wrong or expired, orders can’t be processed. This is standard across UK pet pharmacies.
Can my vet refuse to give me a written prescription?
No. Under UK law, vets must provide a written prescription if you request one for a POM-V medicine. They may charge a reasonable fee for issuing it, but they cannot refuse. This allows you to choose where to buy your pet’s medication, whether directly from your vet or from a registered UK pharmacy such as Ashcroft 4 Pets.
How long is my prescription valid?
In the UK, most POM-V prescriptions are valid for 6 months, unless your vet specifies a shorter duration. Prescriptions for Schedule 2 or 3 controlled medicines are usually valid for 28 days and are not repeatable. At Ashcroft 4 Pets, we follow these same UK veterinary guidelines to ensure your pet’s medication is dispensed safely and legally.
How can I be sure Ashcroft 4 Pets is a safe and legitimate online pet pharmacy?
At Ashcroft 4 Pets, we are a fully VMD-registered and accredited online retailer. This means every prescription and over-the-counter pet medicine we supply is safe, genuine, and dispensed according to UK law.
We follow all Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) rules, and our team checks every prescription carefully before processing. You can order with confidence, knowing your pet’s health is in the hands of experts and all medicines are traceable, legally supplied, and authentic.
How long can I continue ordering with my repeat prescription?
In the UK, most repeat prescriptions for POM-V medicines are valid for up to 6 months from the date your vet issues them. You can order multiple times within this period if your vet has authorised repeats.
For controlled medicines (Schedule 2 or 3), the prescription is valid for 28 days only and cannot be repeated. These medicines are strictly regulated due to their potential for misuse.
At Ashcroft 4 Pets, we follow UK law carefully, ensuring all prescriptions are dispensed safely, legally, and in the exact amounts prescribed.
What about “human” medicines prescribed for pets?
If your vet prescribes a human medicine for your pet under the Cascade, we can usually dispense against that prescription (with the right checks).
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