As with all drugs, results may vary with ATOPICA® (Cyclosporine capsules, USP) MODIFIED. Some dog owners will see little to no results in the first month and want to stop treatment before it has a chance to work. Others will get their old nonitchy dog back very quickly and want to stop treatment because they think the dog is cured.
You’ll need to explain to both of these groups of owners the importance of treating their dogs’ atopic dermatitis as long as the allergy exists.
Overcoming common hurdles:
- With ATOPICA, side effects are mild and temporary. 1 in 3 dogs experiences vomiting and diarrhea for a brief period.11 Prescribe anti-nausea medications to help this.
- Sticker shock can be a big hurdle for some pet owners. However, if they do the math on steroids, antihistamines, immunotherapy and topical symptomatic treatments, they’ll find that treating long-term with ATOPICA will cut down on number of treatments, number of vet visits and number of recurrences — and is a better value. Plus, the cost will decrease as the dosage frequency decreases.
- Remind clients that they can deal with the short-term effects to gain long-term control.
- Providing information on potential side effects is one of the best ways to avoid pet owner dissatisfaction with ATOPICA.
If your dog owner wants to reevaluate the treatment plan, here’s a reference guide:
| Treatment |
Talking Points |
Avoidance |
Avoidance of the offending allergens is, theoretically, the best solution. But in most cases, this turns out to be impossible. |
Steroids |
Steroids are very effective for quick, symptomatic relief of itching and inflammation. However, the drawback is that they can have many short- and long-term side effects on the dog.
|
Antihistamines |
Antihistamines may help control itching, especially in conjunction with other treatments. However, since dogs respond differently to different antihistamines, several types may have to be prescribed before an effective one is found.
|
Fatty Acids |
Fatty acids are a “natural” product with some anti-inflammatory properties. They are used as feeding supplements and may be useful as a complementary treatment. |
Topical Therapy |
Topical therapy, consisting of shampoos, rinses and topical anti-itch solutions, offer immediate but only short-term relief. |
Immunotherapy |
Desensitization, also called immunotherapy, requires identifying the offending allergen. A series of shots are then administered over a lengthy period of time to “desensitize” the dog to the offending allergen. When effective, this therapy is a valid option, but unfortunately, not all dogs respond to it. |
ATOPICA® (Cyclosporine capsules, USP) MODIFIED |
The first oral medication specifically developed to control atopic dermatitis. Its unique, selective immunomodulating properties provide effective control without the systemic adverse effects commonly seen with glucocorticoid therapy.
- 74% of dogs see significant improvement8
- Can be used long-term
- No shots to give, no multiple therapies needed
- Client satisfaction increased from just 5% with previous therapies up to 74% with ATOPICA9
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