ATOPICA is a new therapy for the control of atopic dermatitis, the most common allergic skin disease in dogs. Unlike other frequently prescribed products, ATOPICA selectively targets certain specific immune cells responsible for the dog’s allergic response.

ATOPICA is a new therapy that differs from traditional therapies. While those therapies may provide quick relief, some can cause numerous side effects, especially after they’ve been given for an extended period of time. Side effects develop because steroids affect many different organs. ATOPICA, on the other hand, inhibits activation of certain specific immune cells involved in the allergic reaction.

A number of laboratory safety studies evaluated the tolerance of cyclosporine at various dose levels, including up to nine times the label dose. In these studies, ATOPICA was not associated with liver or kidney disease, or seizures. Possible side effects include temporary vomiting, abnormal stools, oral papillomas and gingival hyperplasia.  When the dose is tapered or the drug is withdrawn, these side effects are typically reversed.
 

As with all drugs, side effects may occur. In a field study, the most common side effects were gastrointestinal signs. Gingival hyperplasia and papillomas may also occur during the initial dosing phase. Atopica is not for use in dogs with a history of malignant neoplasia, or with a demonstrated hypersensitivity to Cyclosporine A. See product insert for prescribing information.

The safety and efficacy of ATOPICA have been extensively tested in laboratory trials and in the real world. The results of these studies confirm that ATOPICA is effective and safe when given to dogs at the recommended dose. When ATOPICA was tested in clinical trials, significant improvement was noted after four weeks of treatment. At the four week mark, pet owners reported an average reduction in itching from a rating of 4.14 to a rating of 2.78 on a 5-point scale (where 5 = constant scratching and 1 = no scratching). Veterinarians also reported a 45 percent reduction in skin lesions after four weeks of ATOPICA treatment.³
 

³Data on file, Novartis Animal Health Canada, Inc., 2003.

ATOPICA is available in soft gelatin capsules and is given as a daily dose for the first 30 days. At that point, your veterinarian may reduce the dose by decreasing its frequency to every other day, and eventually to twice a week, until your dog’s comfort is achieved.

If you suspect your dog is suffering from atopic dermatitis, call your veterinarian to make an appointment. While there is no specific test to diagnose atopic dermatitis, your veterinarian can base a diagnosis on a review of your dog’s medical history and results of a physical exam. Because so many conditions can cause dogs to itch, your veterinarian will rule out other causes such as food allergy, flea allergy, contact irritation from substances in the environment, infestation from insects (such as scabies mites), and bacterial or yeast skin infections. Sometimes one or more of these conditions may occur together with atopic dermatitis, making diagnosis and treatment more complicated.

You can greatly help your veterinarian in assessing response to therapy by observing the changes in your dog’s scratching behavior from the time of the first treatments with Atopica.

Since atopic dermatitis is a chronic disease, unfortunately, relapses may occur. If a relapse occurs after Atopica treatment has been stopped, a new round of treatment may be necessary.

Atopica’s cost can best be determined relative to the use of alternative, complementary treatments. Individual medications such as steroids,  antihistamines, topicals and essential fatty acids may be less expensive but the cost of any combination of various medications and supportive therapy, as is usually required, can be offset by the use of Atopica. Moreover, if your dog responds satisfactorily, the dose and thus the cost of Atopica will be reduced over time. Your veterinarian will determine the treatment regime that is best for you and, more importantly, best to manage your dog’s chronic disease.