Today, in the following piece of article I am going to talk about Apoquel Tablets for dogs and will answer a commonly asked question that most pet owners asked me, i.e. “Can we buy Apoquel over the counter?” and “How to get Apoquel without a vet prescription?”. Stay read…

The short answer is, NO!. You can’t buy Oclacitinib maleate (the generic name for Apoquel medication) without a solid prescription issued by a veterinarian.

You are not allowed to get these kinda immunosuppressant drugs without a vet prescription. Apoquel (Oclacitinib maleate) is not an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine. So you will need an authentic prescription before buying it.

Why Do I Need a Prescription for Buying Apoquel?

Apoquel is a trademark of Zoetis pharmaceuticals. It contains the active ingredient, “Oclacitinib maleate” which is an immune system suppressant drug that is used for the treatment of severe allergies in dogs.

It can treat chronic allergic disorders, i.e. atopic dermatitis (eczema). It starts working within a few hours of oral intake and has a huge number of satisfied clients.

So because of its high efficacy and good feedback. Most vets prescribe for the treatment of allergies in dogs.

One thing that I allowed you to keep in mind is that Apoquel is not an over-the-counter drug and is only available on prescription.

Oclacitinib maleate suppresses the immune system of the body (to some extent) and blocks JAK-1, 3 cytokines. Unnecessary or non-suggested use of Apoquel may result in life-threatening outcomes. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved oclacitinib maleate for dogs just by the recommendation of a veterinarian.

Is there an over-the-counter equivalent to Apoquel?

In this section of the article, I would share some over-the-counter alternatives of Apoquel (Oclacitinib maleate) tablets for dogs. Apoquel is used to treat skin allergies in dogs. Below are some highly recommended alternatives to Apoquel for dogs;

• Zyrtec (Generic name: Cetirizine)
• Benadryl (Generic name: Diphenhydramine)
• Loratadine

Above are three anti-histamine drugs. They work by blocking the histamines that are released by the immune system.

Antihistamines don’t suppress the body’s defense system but show good results. The good thing is that you don’t need a prescription for buying these drugs. They can treat skin allergies in dogs effectively.

We don’t recommend or suggest any kinds of medicines. Please consult a healthcare provider before giving any kinds of medicines to your pet. 

Conclusion:

Apoquel is only available on a valid vet prescription and you can’t buy (or get) it over the counter. FDA-approved oclacitinib maleate for skin allergies in dogs. It is an immune system suppressant drug and may have life-threatening side effects when is not used with the recommendation of a doctor.