Apoquel vs Cytopoint for itchy dogs
Apoquel (oclacitinib) and Cytopoint (lokivetmab) are the two treatments vets reach for most often when a dog is itching from allergies. One is a daily tablet you give at home; the other is an injection given at the clinic every few weeks. Here is how they differ, and what that means for cost and convenience.
Updated October 3, 2026
At a glance
- What it is
- Apoquel
- A tablet that blocks the signals (JAK enzymes) behind itch and inflammation
- Cytopoint
- An antibody injection that neutralizes IL-31, a key itch signal
- How it is given
- Apoquel
- By mouth at home, twice daily at first, then once daily
- Cytopoint
- Injected at the clinic, usually every four to eight weeks
- Age limits
- Apoquel
- Dogs at least 12 months old
- Cytopoint
- Dogs of any age
- Where it comes from
- Apoquel
- Your vet, or a pharmacy with veterinary products, on a prescription
- Cytopoint
- Your vet’s clinic only
Apoquel oclacitinib, a daily tablet | Cytopoint lokivetmab, an injection given by the vet | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A tablet that blocks the signals (JAK enzymes) behind itch and inflammation | An antibody injection that neutralizes IL-31, a key itch signal |
| How it is given | By mouth at home, twice daily at first, then once daily | Injected at the clinic, usually every four to eight weeks |
| Age limits | Dogs at least 12 months old | Dogs of any age |
| Where it comes from | Your vet, or a pharmacy with veterinary products, on a prescription | Your vet’s clinic only |
How they differ in practice
Apoquel usually starts relieving itch within hours to a day and is easy to adjust day to day, but it means a daily pill, and because it acts on the immune system it is not used in dogs with serious infections or cancer and is not for dogs under a year old. Cytopoint works on itch alone, is well tolerated in most dogs including young ones and those on many other medicines, and removes the daily pill, but each dose needs a clinic visit and its effect wears off on a schedule that varies from dog to dog.
Neither cures allergies. Both control itch while the underlying cause, often fleas, food or environmental allergy, is identified and managed, and many dogs need treatment through the allergy season or year-round.
Cost
Apoquel is dosed by body weight, so the tablet strength and monthly cost rise with the size of the dog; because the prescription can be filled outside the clinic, comparing pharmacies that stock veterinary products is possible. Cytopoint is also dosed by weight, and its cost is set by the clinic and depends on how often your dog needs it. Ask your vet to compare a typical month of each for your dog’s weight.
Questions for your vet
- What is causing the itch, and how will we find out?
- Is my dog a good candidate for Apoquel given age and health?
- How often would my dog need Cytopoint?
- Can you write an Apoquel prescription I can fill elsewhere?
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Sources
Written by the Script Unlock editorial team from the sources above. It is general information, not advice for you or your pet; your vet decides which medicine is right.
Script Unlock is a marketplace that lets licensed pharmacies quote a cash price on your prescription. It does not prescribe, dispense or sell medication, does not process patient payments, and does not give medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist and read the medication guide supplied with your medicine.