A total of 265 dogs were included in the field study safety analysis. One hundred and eleven (111) dogs were treated with placebo for the first 30 days. For the remainder of the study, all dogs received ATOPICA capsules.
Fourteen dogs withdrew from the study due to adverse reactions. Four dogs withdrew from the study after vomiting. One dog each withdrew from the study after diarrhea; vomiting, diarrhea and pruritus; vomiting, depression and lethargy; lethargy, anorexia and hepatitis; gingival hyperplasia, lethargy, polyuria/polydipsia and soft stool; seizure; sebaceous cyst; pruritus; erythema; or otitis externa.
Vomiting and diarrhea were the most common adverse reactions occurring during the study. In most cases, signs spontaneously resolved with continued dosing. In other cases, temporary dose modifications (brief interruption in dosing, divided dosing, or administration with a small amount of food) were employed to resolve signs.
Persistent otitis externa, urinary tract infections, anorexia, gingival hyperplasia, lymphadenopathy and lethargy were the next most frequent adverse events observed. Gingival hyperplasia regressed with dose tapering. Owners of four dogs reported seizures while dogs were receiving ATOPICA. In one dog, seizures were the result of a brain tumor diagnosed one month into the study. Another dog experienced seizures before and after the study.
Otitis externa, allergic otitis, or pinna erythema, with or without exudates, commonly accompanies atopy. Many dogs entered the study with otitis externa, which did not resolve without otic treatment. New cases of otitis externa, allergic otitis, or pinna erythema developed while dogs were receiving ATOPICA. However, the incidence rate was lower with ATOPICA compared to placebo. A change in the dose frequency was not necessary when new cases occurred.
Number of Dogs Displaying Each Clinical Observation in the Field Study
Clinical Sign
% out of 265
Vomiting
30.9%
Diarrhea
20.0%
Persistent Otitis Externa
6.8%
Urinary Tract Infection
3.8%
Anorexia
3.0%
Lethargy
2.3%
Gingival Hyperplasia
2.3%
Lymphadenopathy
2.3%
The following clinical signs were reported in less than 2% of dogs treated with ATOPICA in the field study: constipation, flatulence, Clostridial organisms in the feces, nausea, regurgitation, polyuria/polydipsia, strong urine odor, proteinuria, pruritus, erythema/flushed appearance, pyoderma, sebaceous adenitis, crusty dermatitis, excessive shedding, coarse coat, alopecia, papillomas, histiocytoma, granulomatous mass or lesion, cutaneous cyst, epulis, benign epithelial tumor, multiple hemangioma, raised nodule on pinna, seizure, shaking/trembling, hind limb twitch, panting, depression, irritability, hyperactivity, quieter, increased light sensitivity, reluctance to go outside, weight loss, hepatitis.
The following clinical signs were observed in 1.5-4.5% of dogs while receiving the placebo: vomiting, diarrhea and urinary tract infection. The following clinical signs were observed in less than 1% of dogs receiving the placebo: anorexia, otitis externa, cutaneous cysts, corneal opacity, lymphadenopathy, erythema/flushed appearance.
Clinical Pathology Changes: During the study, some dogs experienced changes in clinical chemistry parameters while receiving ATOPICA, as described in the following table:
Clinical Chemistry
% Affected (out of 265)
Elevated Creatinine
7.8%
Hyperglobulinemia
6.4%
Hyperphosphatemia
5.3%
Hyperproteinemia
3.4%
Hypercholesterolemia
2.6%
Hypoalbuminemia
2.3%
Hypocalcemia
2.3%
Elevated BUN
2.3%
In addition, the following changes in clinical chemistry parameters were noted in less than 2% of dogs: hypernatremia; hyperkalemia, elevated ALT, elevated ALP, hypercalcemia and hyperchloremia. These clinical pathology changes were generally not associated with clinical signs.