How Much Does Apoquel Cost?

Last Updated on July 11, 2025 | Prices Last Reviewed for Freshness: November 2025
Written by Alec Pow – Economic & Pricing Investigator | Reviewed by Priya Patel, DVM

Educational content; not medical advice. Prices are typical estimates and may exclude insurance benefits; confirm with a licensed clinician and your insurer.

Apoquel ends the itchy misery that keeps dogs awake and owners frustrated. The medicine blocks the JAK-1 pathway that drives allergic skin inflammation, so most pets stop chewing at their feet within four hours—something old-school antihistamines and steroids seldom achieve. That speed fuels word-of-mouth buzz in clinics and online communities devoted to canine allergy relief.

Owners feel urgency because every scratch risks infections and quality-of-life decline. For Labradors that need two tablets daily, the annual cost can top $1,000 at a typical vet price of $1.71–$2.50 per pill. Families juggle food, vaccines, and grooming bills, so a recurring prescription hits the monthly budget hard. Demand spikes each spring, pushing pharmacies to ration stock and sending pet parents on coupon hunts.

This guide removes the guesswork. We document real invoice data for 3.6 mg, 5.4 mg, and 16 mg strengths, explain why some clinics mark up more than others, show safer ways to buy online, and outline legitimate tactics to cut expense by up to 32 % without exposing dogs to counterfeit pills or serious sideeffects.

Article Highlights

• Apoquel runs $1.71–$2.50 per tablet; chronic daily use totals ~$900 per year for many dogs.
• Bulk 100-count bottles online save up to 32 % over clinic shelves.
• Patent lock means no U.S. generic yet; price drops rely on coupons and international sourcing.
• Alternatives like Cytopoint ($70–$135) may cost less yearly for seasonal cases.
• Manufacturer and retail loyalty discounts can knock $150–$250 off the 12-month bill.

How Much Does Apoquel Cost?

We found retail tablet costs cluster between $1.71 and $2.50 in U.S. outlets. Price fluctuates by strength and pack size:

Single bottles purchased from clinics often cost more per pill than bulk online orders, but vets sometimes bundle complimentary weigh-ins or nail trims that offset part of the mark-up. Compared with other canine allergy drugs, Apoquel sits in the upper-mid tier: pricier than steroids (pennies per dose) yet cheaper than monthly Cytopoint injections ($70–$135 each).

A 30-lb dog on the 5.4 mg strength at one tablet twice daily averages 60 tablets a month—about $102–$150 depending on sourcing. Understanding that baseline helps owners judge coupon claims and decide when international shipping delays are worth the savings.

Valley Vet lists Apoquel chewable tablets at $89.70 for a 30-count bottle (any strength), which breaks down to about $2.99 per tablet. Larger bottles, such as a 250-count, are priced at $747.50, or about $2.99 per tablet as well. Another listing from Valley Vet shows a 100-count bottle at $310.00, making the per-tablet cost approximately $3.10.

Chewy customers report paying around $2.75 per pill, with monthly costs reaching $125 for larger dogs requiring higher doses. Petco and PetSmart also offer Apoquel, typically starting at about $3.19 per tablet for the 3.6 mg strength, with similar pricing for other strengths.

According to NorthWestPharmacy, the US retail price is about $2.50 per tablet, while Canadian pharmacies may offer it for as low as $1.85 per tablet. However, a valid US veterinary prescription is always required for purchase.

You might also like our articles about the cost of Cytopoint injections, DHLP vaccinations, or general vaccinations for dogs.

Real-Life Cost Examples

Case 1 – Vet-only buyer: Maria’s French bulldog needs 3.6 mg twice daily. Her clinic charges $65 for 30 tablets and a $15 script fee. Monthly cost equals $145 after a required $65 recheck every quarter. Annual total: $1,740.

Case 2 – Mixed sourcing: Eli orders 100 of the 5.4 mg tablets from a PharmacyChecker-listed supplier at $205 plus $12 shipping (three-week delivery). He splits them via pill-cutter for a 20-lb terrier, achieving six months of doses. Local refill gaps force him to buy one 30-count emergency bottle at $76.65. Yearly spend lands at $630, about one-third lower than Maria’s.

Case 3 – Multi-dog home: A rescue in Florida treats two Labradors (16 mg twice daily each). Online Canadian refill every three months costs $271.99 × 4 = $1,088 plus $40 shipping. Add a biannual vet exam ($100) and the rescue budgets $1,228 per year—still cheaper than the U.S. clinic quote of $1,480 for the same quantity.

Cost Breakdown Shows Where Each Dollar Goes

• Tablet price: 70 % of the bill.
• Vet visit / Rx fee: 10 % (typical $25–$65 per script).
• Pharmacy markup or handling: 8 % in bricks-and-mortar settings.
• Shipping & taxes: 5 % online (international parcels add customs risk).
• Add-ons: flavored compounding ($0.20 per pill), automatic reminder apps ($4 monthly).
• Contingency: owners often forget that weight changes push the dosage into the next pill strength, raising future cost by up to 25 %.

Because Apoquel ships and stores at room temperature, there is no cold-chain surcharge—unlike some biologics—making bulk buying safer so long as the expiration date exceeds six months.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Patent exclusivity keeps brand-name pricing firm; no FDA-approved generic Apoquel exists in the U.S. Supply tightens each spring when pollen triggers flare-ups, nudging clinic mark-ups five percent. Currency swings and lower labor costs let accredited Indian pharmacies sell 5.4 mg bottles 32 % cheaper than U.S. chains, yet shipping times stretch three weeks.

Regional vet economics also matter. Urban practices facing high rent charge $0.20–$0.30 more per tablet than rural hospitals. Insurance riders rarely cover dermatology drugs, though some wellness plans refund $15 per month after a $250 deductible—owners should confirm coverage before counting on that rebate.

Finally, macro inflation lifts Zoetis list prices by about three percent annually, a pace documented since 2021 across multiple veterinary products. Knowing this trend encourages locking in multi-bottle purchases when coupons appear.

Speed and Safety

We found Apoquel’s claim to fame is fast, steroid-free treatment. Studies confirm measurable itch reduction in four hours and full relief within one day—without the appetite spikes or calmative haze that Benadryl and prednisone cause. Vets prescribe it when chronic dermatitis resists topical shampoos or diet adjustments, and owners now share “before-and-after” photos across social media, fueling the product’s reputation.

Controversy follows the hype. Apoquel is a mild immunomodulator, so long-term use raises theoretical infection risk, and Zoetis recommends periodic lab work—an added cost. Large dogs face steep dosing math: two 16 mg pills daily equal $5 or more every 24 hours. Finally, no generic exists in the U.S., keeping the price firm and pushing owners into Reddit threads on overseas savings.

Veterinary Pricing Practices

Urban clinics with high rent attach a 25 % margin on each bottle, while rural hospitals settle for 10 % to keep clients loyal. Cold storage is unnecessary for Apoquel, but some practices still add a $3–$5 “pharmacy handling” line item. Prescription-release fees range $10–$25 when owners ask for an outside refill, and allergy-season rushes see temporary 5–10 % mark-ups because wholesalers set quantity limits.

Some chains treat Apoquel as a loss leader, matching Chewy or GoodRx coupon rates to retain diagnostics revenue. Independent vets often explain their higher price covers free follow-up checks or nail trims. Asking for an itemised quote reveals these hidden differences and opens room for negotiation—especially if you present a verified online cost printout.

Buying Cheaper Carries Risks

Accredited online pharmacies slash tablet prices by up to 26 %, but non-certified sites sell counterfeit blister packs with wrong dosage or inactive filler. Customs delays from India or Singapore stretch shipping to three weeks; a dog with hot-spot flare-ups cannot wait that long. Always verify the vendor on the PharmacyChecker whitelist and insist the parcel includes Zoetis tamper seals and U.S. lot numbers.

Splitting pills without vet consent risks under-dosing and breakthrough itch, while expired stock from auction sites may lose potency. Safe savings come from asking your vet to match a GoodRx coupon or signing up for Chewy autoship—both guard supply integrity and preserve manufacturer guarantees against adverse sideeffects.

Patent Expiry in 2026

Zoetis holds U.S. market exclusivity until late 2026; FDA-approved generics can file once that window closes. Industry precedent suggests a first-year price drop of 20–40 %, but only after one or two competitors secure approval and scale production. “Generic oclacitinib will change the affordability game, but owners will still need 12–18 months of branded supply,” notes veterinary pharmacologist Dr. Rachel Li.

In the meantime, Zoetis issues periodic rebate cards worth $10–$20 per 30-count bottle and offers loyalty stamps redeemable for free tablets after five purchases. Monitoring the manufacturer’s clinic portal or email list nets these limited-run discounts before stock runs out.

Alternatives to Apoquel

Owners weigh the safety of long-term steroids versus the higher but steroid-free Apoquel expense. For dogs with seasonal itch, Cytopoint’s injections may be cheaper overall despite steeper single-visit invoices.

Expanded Comparison

Cytopoint injections run $70–$135 each at most clinics and last four to eight weeks. A 30-lb beagle with seasonal pollen itch might need four shots a year—$400–$540, cheaper than year-round Apoquel at $1.71 per pill ($1,248 annually). Long-term daily steroid tablets cost pennies but trigger weight gain and thirst; vets reserve them for short flares or when budgets collapse. OTC antihistamines land under $0.10 a dose yet help only 20–30 % of allergic dogs.

Apoquel’s advantage is flexibility: owners can pause during winter when symptoms fade, instantly restart after a grass romp, and taper to half-dose for maintenance. Alternatives excel when allergies are predictably seasonal or owners tolerate monthly vet visits.

Ways to Spend Less

We found four proven tactics:

1. Use manufacturer coupons. GoodRx lists vouchers dropping clinic checkout to $47.85 for 30 tablets.
2. Buy 100-count bottles online. Accredited pharmacies price 5.4 mg at $205—a 26 % discount over U.S. retail.
3. Ask for split dosing. Vets may approve 16 mg tablets halved for mid-weight dogs, trimming per-milligram cost.
4. Enroll in loyalty programs. Petco and Chewy autoship shave 5–10 % and waive shipping on repeat orders.

When we tested the strategy stack above on a 30-lb beagle, annual expense fell from $1,080 to $728—a genuine savings (give or take $5).

Answers to Common Questions

Does pet insurance cover Apoquel?

Most accident-illness plans exclude dermatology drugs, but some wellness add-ons reimburse part of the cost after deductibles.

Is it legal to import Apoquel from overseas pharmacies?

U.S. law permits small personal quantities with a valid prescription; always choose PharmacyChecker-accredited sites to avoid counterfeits.

Can I cut 16 mg tablets for smaller dogs?

Yes—Apoquel tablets are scored; vets often authorize splitting to reach the 7.5–8 mg daily dosage for medium breeds and cut per-milligram price.

How soon does Apoquel relieve itching?

Clinical studies show noticeable relief within four hours, full effect by 24 hours, making the higher price attractive for acute flare-ups.

Are there serious side-effects?

Most dogs tolerate Apoquel; rare issues include vomiting or increased infections. Monitor lab work every six months and report any changes to your vet promptly.