pet

Dogs with allergic dermatitis (food, flea, environmental) often endure intense itching, redness, chewing/licking of skin, and recurrent infections. Two oral medications that target this problem are Zenrelia and Apoquel. They share similarities but also have important differences in their mechanisms, dosing, safety concerns and practical use.

What each drug is / approved for

Apoquel

• The active ingredient is Oclacitinib.
  
  
• Apoquel is approved for dogs at least 12 months old for the control of pruritus (itching) associated with allergic dermatitis and the control of atopic dermatitis.
  
  
• It’s been on the market for a while (since ~2013 in the U.S.).
  
  
• Mechanism: it’s a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor (primarily JAK1) that disrupts itch- and inflammation-related signalling.
  
  

Zenrelia

• The active ingredient is Ilunocitinib (brand name Zenrelia).
  
  
• Zenrelia is also approved for dogs at least 12 months old for the control of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis and the control of atopic dermatitis