Evaluation of the induction protocol for oclacitinib in dogs

Objectiv Oclacitinib is a pre-dominant Janus kinases 1 inhibitor approved for the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis and pruritus. It influences the signaling of pruritogenic, inflammatory, pro-allergic cytokines. The drug is administered twice daily at 0.4-0.6 mg/kg for 14 days and then once daily, this reduction leads to an increase in pruritus in some dogs. In this prospective, randomized study, the conventional protocol was compared with a shortened twice-daily administration of only 6 days before reduction to once daily.

Material and Methods Forty atopic dogs were randomized in two groups. Group A received oclacitinib twice daily (BID) for 14 days, then once daily (SID) for another 7 days. In group B, oclacitinib was administered BID for 6 days, then SID for another 15 days. Pruritus was assessed with a Visual Analog Scale daily by the owners for duration of the study. In addition, lesions were scored with the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index (CADLI) at D0 and D 21.

Results Mean CADLI scores decreased from 14 to 8.4 in group A (p=0.1) and from 12 to 6.5 in group B respectively (p=0.012), mean pruritus scores from 3.4 to 2.2 (p=0.25) and 3.2 to 2.4 respectively(p=0.38). There was no difference between groups at any time point (p>0.999 for PVAS, p=0.8 for CADLI). An increase of pruritus after reduction was seen in 2 and 1 dogs respectively.

Conclusion In conclusion, a shorter time to reduction of oclacitinib administration is comparable to the usual way of administration.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 March 2025