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Pet Allergy Relief: Apoquel vs. Cyclosporine – Which is Right?
Published on May 30th, 2024
Updated on June 18th, 2026
| Features | Apoquel | Cyclosporine |
|---|---|---|
| Available forms | Tablet | Capsule, ophthalmic ointment or oral liquid for cats |
| Primary usage | Immune modulating medication for relieving itching and inflammation caused by allergic skin diseases or atopy in dogs | Suppresses the immune system to help treat diseases involving the blood or skin, including allergic reactions |
| Other uses | None | Treating immune system disorders and other conditions such as anal fistulas in dogs, asthma in cats, and airborne environmental allergies in bothHelping integrate organ transplants into the new host body |
| Active ingredient | Oclacitinib | Cyclosporine |
| Efficacy time | Starts to relieve itching within 4 hours; effectively controls itching within 24 hours | Effects are not immediate; it may take days to weeks to achieve maximum efficacyGradual improvement over this period is expected |
| Appropriate for | Dogs at least 12 months of age and 6.6 lbs. | Cats and dogs at least 6 months of age and weighing at least 4 lbs. |
| How does it work? | Suppresses enzymes that cause allergic reactions, including itching and skin inflammation | Suppresses the action of certain cells in the immune system, lowering immune response |
| Prescription required | Yes | Yes |
| Daily dosage | The recommended dosage ranges from 0.18 mg to 0.27 mg per pound; administer the tablets twice a day for 14 days and once a day after that to prevent future infections | The recommended dose of cyclosporine varies for cats and dogs and is based on weight |
| Directions for use | Typically given orally twice a day for two weeks; for extended use, it is typically given once a day after the initial two-week periodFollow your veterinarian's dosage guidelines; dosage varies by size, weight, and speciesThis medication should only be given to the pet for whom it was prescribed | Given by mouth in the form of a capsule for dogs and a liquid suspension for catsCats should take the medication with foodDogs should be given capsules on an empty stomach; wait 1-2 hours before feeding your dog |
| Give medication with food? | Can be given with or without food | Tablets for dogs must be administered orally on an empty stomach; dogs should wait one to two hours after taking the medication before eatingLiquid suspension for cats should be provided with food |
| Recommended for breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs? | No | No |
| Recommended for cats | No | Yes |
| Adverse drug interactions | No; be sure to consult your veterinarian regarding other medications before administeringLong-term use of corticosteroids while on this medication is not recommended | Consult your veterinarian if your pet takes allopurinol, digoxin, etoposide, cimetidine, amiodarone, testosterone, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, diltiazem, corticosteroids, metoclopramide, trimethoprim, rifampin, methotrexate, phenobarbital, phenytoin, terbinafine, St. John's wort, probucol, omeprazole, aminoglycosides, amphotericin, amphotericin B, NSAIDs, or modified live vaccines |
| Brand vs. generic | Brand; there is no true Apoquel generic option | Generic; the brand equivalent would be Atopica |
| Treats atopic dermatitis | Yes | Yes |
| Reduces itching | Yes | Yes |
| Reduces dark patches | Yes | Yes |
| Reduces inflammation | Yes | Yes |
| Treats skin allergies | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum age | 12 months | 6 months |
| How does it work? | Highly recommended | Highly recommended |
| Speed of results | Suppresses enzymes that cause allergic reactions, including itching and skin inflammation | Suppresses the action of certain cells in the immune system, lowering immune response |
| How does it work? | Significant recovery and diminished symptoms after regular administration for a weekIn some cases, pets show improvement in just a day | Around 4 weeks to reduce symptoms of atopic dermatitis, with gradual improvement expected over this period |
| Side Effects | Few side effects noted, but can include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, sluggishness, lethargy, loose bowels, anorexia, and increased cholesterol; these can be reduced by giving Apoquel with foodLess common side effects include increased susceptibility to infections, including urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, and skin infections | Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, anorexia, UTIs, swollen lymph nodes, and higher susceptibility to sickness and infection |
| Monitoring | Bloodwork monitoring may be recommended | Monitor for side effects |
This article was created with assistance from AI tools and reviewed for accuracy by Petco's content team.
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FAQs about Apoquel vs. Cyclosporine
While technically there is no true generic alternative, there are other Apoquel alternatives, such as cyclosporine, that work similarly. Some corticosteroids have been proven to reduce skin inflammation and itchiness in the same way but typically include more bothersome side effects than Apoquel. Similarly, antihistamines can also reduce the annoying symptoms of skin allergies but aren’t as powerful as Apoquel’s ingredients.
There is no Apoquel generic alternative because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve one. While both Apoquel for dogs and cyclosporine suppress the immune system to alleviate allergy symptoms, Apoquel typically begins working faster and has a lower risk of gastrointestinal upsets.
Veterinarians typically prescribe Apoquel for dog allergies. This is primarily focused on skin allergies and infections such as atopic dermatitis but can also help reduce inflammation caused by the allergens’ effects on the blood.