Atopica is a soft capsule used to treat atopic dermatitis (commonly called skin allergies) in dogs. Signs of skin allergies include scratching, licking, gnawing, chewing, skin infections, hair loss, terrible odor, and sleepless nights. Atopica requires a prescription from your veterinarian.
For: Dogs (at least 6 months of age and weighing at least 4 pounds)
Benefits:
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Significantly reduces itching and skin lesions
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Proven effective in most dogs
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Allows you to control your dog’s problem without steroids
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Safe to use over long periods without the serious side effects usually associated with steroids
How it works:
Atopica targets the immune cells involved in the allergic reaction. You usually only administer one dose a day to control symptoms, but many dogs can be effectively controlled with every-other-day or twice-weekly dosing.
Cautions:
There are many possible drug interactions. Be sure to tell your veterinarian what other medications your pet is currently using. Give Atopica at least one hour before food or 2 hours after food.
More Information:
Brand Name Atopica (Novartis)
Generic Name Cyclosporine Modified capsule
What is the most important information I should know about Atopica: Notify your veterinarian immediately if your pet develops fever (over 103°), painful urination, tiredness, sneezing, coughing, or runny nose.These symptoms could be early signs of dangerous side effects.
What is Atopica: Atopica (cyclosporine modified) is an immunosuppressant available by prescription. Atopica is FDA approved for use in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in dogs at least 6 months of age and at least 4 pounds. Atopica is available in 15 capsule blister packs in strengths of 10mg for dogs 4 to 9 pounds, 25mg for dogs 9.1 to 16 pounds, 50mg for dogs16.1 to 33 pounds and 100mg for dogs 33.1 to 64 lbs. For dogs 64.1 to 79 pounds give a combination of one 100mg capsule and one 50mg capsule as a single dose. For dogs 79.1 to 121 pounds give two 100mg capsules as a single dose. Atopica is given once a day to start until satisfactory improvement is seen, usually 4 to 8 weeks. The medication can then be given every other day until the clinical signs of atopic dermatitis are satisfactorily controlled, then the medication can be given every 3 or 4 days.
What should I discuss with my veterinarian before giving Atopica: Tell your veterinarian if your pet has liver disease, kidney disease, cancer, high blood pressure, a viral, bacterial or fungal infection, or any other serious or chronic condition. Tell your veterinarian if your pet is pregnant or lactating, and if you plan to breed your pet.
How should this medication be given: Give Atopica exactly as directed by your veterinarian. If you do not understand these directions, ask your veterinarian or pharmacist to explain them to you. Always give Atopica 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Allow plenty of water for the pet to drink. Do not remove a capsule from the blister pack until required for use. When the capsule is removed from the blister pack there is a characteristic, noticeable smell which is normal. Your veterinarian may want your pet to have regularly scheduled blood tests during treatment to monitor effectiveness and side effects. Store Atopica at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss giving a dose: Give the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and give the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not give a double dose unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian.
What happens if I overdose the pet: Seek emergency veterinary medical treatment.
What should I avoid while giving Atopica to my pet: The safe use in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been determined. Do not use Atopica in dogs with known allergy to the medication. The drug should not be used in dogs with kidney disease, stomach ulcers, and certain blood disorders. Prolonged use of Atopica can result in bacterial or fungal infection related to a decreased effect of the immune system.
What are the possible side effects of Atopica: If any of the following serious side effects occur, stop giving Atopica and seek emergency veterinary medical attention; an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue or face, and hives). Other less serious side effects may occur. Continue giving Atopica and talk to your veterinarian if your pet develops vomiting, soft stools or diarrhea, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, and change of hair coat. Other side effects may occur. Talk to your veterinarian about any side effect that seems unusual or bothersome to the animal.
What other drugs will affect Atopica: There are many drug/drug interactions that occur when taking Atopica. Tell your veterinarian what medications your pet is currently using and any new products, including herbal remedies you may start to give. Drug/drug interactions could cause a decrease in effectiveness or an increase in side effects of either Atopica or the other medication being given. Examples of medications that may cause drug/drug interactions are; SMZ-TMP (Bactrim, Septra), gentamicin, etodolac (EtoGesic), piroxicam (Feldene), ketoconazole (Nizoral), cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), itraconoazole (Sporanox), methylprednisolone (Medrol), erythromycin, Allopurinol (Zyloprim), metoclopramide (Reglan), prednisOLOne, digoxin (Lanoxin), any type of vaccination.
Where can I get more information: Your pharmacist has additional information about Atopica written for health professionals that you can read.
Directions:
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Atopica (cyclosporine modified) is a prescription medication available as a soft capsule for use in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in dogs at least 6 months of age and weighing at least 4 pounds.
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Atopica is available in four strengths: 10mg, 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg.
Tip: Do not remove capsule from blister pack until required for use. When the capsule is removed from the blister pack there may be a characteristic, noticeable smell which is normal.
Dosage:
Pet
Weight
Dosage
Dogs (Over 6 months of age
4-6.5 lbs
Give one 10mg capsule once a day for 30 days to start. Following this initial daily treatment period, your veterinarian may recommend that the dose be tapered by decreasing the frequency of dosing to every other day or two times a week, until a minimum frequency is reached which will maintain the desired therapeutic effect
6.6-9 lbs
Give two 10mg capsules as a single dose once a day for 30 days to start. Following this initial daily treatment period, your veterinarian may recommend that the dose be tapered by decreasing the frequency of dosing to every other day or two times a week, until a minimum frequency is reached which will maintain the desired therapeutic effect
9.1-16 lbs
Give one 25mg capsule once a day for 30 days to start. Following this initial daily treatment period, your veterinarian may recommend that the dose be tapered by decreasing the frequency of dosing to every other day or two times a week, until a minimum frequency is reached which will maintain the desired therapeutic effect
16.1-33 lbs
Give one 50mg capsule once a day for 30 days to start. Following this initial daily treatment period, your veterinarian may recommend that the dose be tapered by decreasing the frequency of dosing to every other day or two times a week, until a minimum frequency is reached which will maintain the desired therapeutic effect
33.1-64 lbs
Give one 100mg capsule once a day for 30 days to start. Following this initial daily treatment period, your veterinarian may recommend that the dose be tapered by decreasing the frequency of dosing to every other day or two times a week, until a minimum frequency is reached which will maintain the desired therapeutic effect
64.1-79 lbs
Give one 100mg capsule AND one 50mg capsule as a single dose once a day for 30 days to start. Following this initial daily treatment period, your veterinarian may recommend that the dose be tapered by decreasing the frequency of dosing to every other day or two times a week, until a minimum frequency is reached which will maintain the desired therapeutic effect
79.1-121 lbs
Give two 100mg capsules as a single dose once a day for 30 days to start. Following this initial daily treatment period, your veterinarian may recommend that the dose be tapered by decreasing the frequency of dosing to every other day or two times a week, until a minimum frequency is reached which will maintain the desired therapeutic effect
Cats:
Horses:
Storage: Should be stored at room temperature. Keep away from pets and children.
I have had my Wire Fox Terrier to three different Vetenarians. All they did was to get temporary relief by giving him injections . My neighbor turned me on to her Vet who immediately told me to try Atopica. After the first pill, I noticed relief. He did not act weird as he did before like bitting his paws,plucking his hair etc.I really like the product since it works as advertised.My dog and i THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT PRODUCT.
So far it is working well, he is still struggling with the yeast in his ears but we are treating that also. I truly hope this is the answer to our prayers and that we can keep him off those steroids. Usually bu the third day off the steroids he is scratching. It is worth every penny to see him content.
The first 30 days of Atopica (started on 12/9/11) worked well. I received the next 30 day supply in early January and his symptoms are back again, biting paws, scooting butt, licking paws, shaking head, etc. I am not sure why because nothing has changed, ie. dosages, food, etc. It is actually cooler now here in FL and I thought that would help!
I've been using Atopica with my cat for three years now. It is the only thing we've found that has helped him with his skin allergies. I wish Atopica would obtain full FDA approval for use with cats as well as dogs.
My son purchased Jessica knowing she would require a lifetime investment in TLC for her skin "condition". For years the same vet injected steroids for flareups, a nasty looking skin condition, esp. around the face and "paw areas"... that occurred regularly. A grave concern was how is this injection affecting her liver? Will it shorten her life. Visiting her "granma" she flared and was taken to Dr. Banfield clinic of Petsmart for a different opinion. We took a chance and tried the Atopica. Daily dosage has maintained amazing results without any flareups since she started taking the medication.
I have had conflicting information. I have been told by one vet it is ok to give atopica to my dog while taking Phycox and another said no. Can you tell me if Phycox is safe to give with Atopica?
Atopica (cyclosporine modified) is a medication with a number of drug interactions. These interactions include herbal remedies such as Cat's Claw, St. John's Wort, ginseng, and echinacea. However, none of these ingredients are contained in Phycox. I am not aware of any drug interaction between Phycox and Atopica.
Cyclosporine modified is the generic for Atopica. Cyclosporine modified is used in pets to treat atopic dermatitis. There is no salt form of cyclosporine modified.
The label says to store Atopica at room temperature; however, I have been told by my vet that some people say storing it in the freezer is better. To date, I have been keeping the pills in our kitchen in a drawer, but we do not have air conditioning in our house and at times it can get VERYhot inside the house. Will heat ruin the pills or make them less effective? Where is the best place to store the Atopica pills if there is no air conditioning available to regulate the temperature? Any suggestions would be very helpful seeing as my dog will now be taking Atopica daily forever.
7 months ago
by
michelle b
- northern ca
0
0
Answers
A:
My vet also suggested storing Atopica in the freezer to help prevent stomach upset.
Absolutely, positively, do not, repeat do not, store this product in the freezer (or refrigerator for that matter). Room temperature means up to 77 degrees F. You should find the coolest place in the house and store the medication in that area out of the reach of children or pets. I would advise against the kitchen or bathroom since those areas also have high humidity from the water that's being used.
This information sheet is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian. Note: Any trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
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