F.A.Q.

F.A.Q.’s For Dog Lovers

The information on this page is for your information only and is not designed to replace advice from your veterinarian. As always, talk to your veterinarian before the use of any product or treatment for your dog.

To see the Product Label and Package Insert, please click here.

If you are a veterinarian, also see For Veterinarians.

General Information

What are Apocaps®?

Apocaps® are capsules that contain a blend of apoptogens and other healthful ingredients. Apoptogens have been shown to support the normal turnover of deranged cells to help build new, healthy cells. Apocaps® are designed to support good life quality in dogs. Apocaps® are made for dogs receiving regular veterinary care.

What results have been seen with Apocaps®?

Life quality increases have been seen in the majority of dogs using Apocaps®, in some cases within a week of starting. In some dogs, the effects are slower, taking up to 3-4 weeks. Increased vitality, activity and vigor are common results of Apocaps® use.

Which dogs should not use Apocaps®?

If your dog is allergic to ingredients in Apocaps®, or if he or she has an allergic reaction to Apocaps®, avoid or discontinue use. Dogs experiencing vomiting or diarrhea should not be given Apocaps®. Dogs less than 5 pounds should not use Apocaps® CX capsules at this strength. Safety has not been established for use in pregnant, nursing or breeding dogs. Consult with your veterinarian before any change to your dog’s health care.

Do you have any study material that you can provide me showing the types of conditions, stages, etc., that you have had proven success in improving quality of life, or even reversals. We are very hopeful that this is something that we can add to her regimen to help her get her body back to normal.

The FDA disallows us from providing data concerning the effects of Apocaps CX on specific disease as this product is not FDA-approved for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any disease. However, professional-to-professional communication with your veterinarian is certainly allowed and we have that information available for veterinarians. Your veterinarian can find that information in the For Veterinarians area of this site.

Furthermore, if your veterinarian emails us at DVM at apocaps.com (replace ‘at’ with @ to make a regularly-formatted email address), we can provide the necessary feedback to him or her about your dog’s specific case. Then your clinician can dialog with you about the use of Apocaps in your specific case.

Using Apocaps in other animals or people

Can I give Apocaps® to other animals or people?

While Apocaps® is made from all human-grade ingredients it is designed for and should only be given to dogs. Keep out of reach of children.

My vet wants to try Apocaps in my cat. Can we use it in a cat?

Cats are very sensitive to substances that reduce inflammation, so theoretically they may react to the anti-inflammatory effects of some of the ingredients in Apocaps. For this reason, we are quite cautious about using Apocaps in cats. At this time, we don’t recommend it until further study is possible. As always, your vet is the best person to judge how to treat your pet.

Giving Apocaps to your dog

How do I give Apocaps®?

Apocaps® should be given with a very small amount of food, preferably less than 1-2 tablespoons, to minimize rare cases of digestive upset. Please see the Product Label for dosing amounts and instructions.

The label instructions say to give between meals, but can I give with Apocaps to my dog with a meal?

Apocaps is most effective and most easily absorbed when given between meals, on an empty stomach, with just a little food (1-2 tablespoons), as the label states. Giving Apocaps with a full meal reduces the absorption of Apocaps slightly.

We recommend giving Apocaps a minimum of one hour before or one hour after a meal. However, if it’s difficult to follow this schedule, or if your dog experiences digestive upset, giving Apocaps with meals is better than not giving it at all.

Is there a best time of day to give Apocaps?

There is some evidence that giving Apocaps in the late morning (10-11 AM) and/or the late evening (10-11 PM) may be most effective, but this may not be convenient for you.

If this is inconvenient for you, wait a minimum of one hour before or after a meal to give Apocaps with 1-2 tablespoons of food.

Using Apocaps with other supplements and treatments

Can I give Apocaps® with other medications or treatments?

The answer to this question depends upon many factors. Consult with your veterinarian before making any changes in your dog’s medical care, including the use of this product.

Can I give my dog Apocaps during or after surgery?

The ingredients in Apocaps may have a mild blood-thinning effect in some dogs, so we recommend following the guidelines typically offered with blood-thinners, to avoid excess bleeding during and after surgery.

Therefore, to be completely safe, Apocaps should be stopped three or more days prior to surgery, and resumed once healing from the surgery is complete.

If it is not possible to do this, the surgeon should be informed about the possible mild blood-thinning effect of Apocaps so they can take that into account during the procedure.

Can I give Apocaps with prednisone, prednisolone or other anti-inflammatory agents?

Yes, but with some caution. Some of the ingredients in Apocaps have an anti-inflammatory effect, so we recommend thinking of Apocaps as a mild anti-inflammatory and following the guidelines generally offered with prednisone and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

We recommend reducing the dose of Apocaps to a half or quarter dose if you are using prednisone or any NSAIDs. Or, if preferred by your veterinarian, you could reduce the dose of the anti-inflammatory, prednisone, prednisolone or NSAID to half or quarter dose. The choice of which to lower would depend upon the effect desired.

My dog has elevated liver enzyme levels, so I am concerned that Apocaps may have an impact on her liver enzymes. Does Apocaps impact liver enzymes?

We do not have documented evidence of liver enzyme elevation in dogs on Apocaps, and we have no reports of liver enzyme elevation from dog owners. However, the constituent ingredients in Apocaps have been shown to inhibit some of the same liver enzymes that NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) inhibit.

Because of the mild NSAID-like effect Apocaps may have, it’s recommended that you consult with your vet before you start Apocaps with a dog with a liver condition. If your vet would be concerned about other NSAIDs such as aspirin or Deramaxx, she/he might have some concern about Apocaps. Please use Apocaps under veterinary supervision, and if your vet would like a consult about your specific dog’s case, please have him or her email DVM (at) apocaps.com with their question.

My dog is on seizure control medication. Can I use Apocaps?

There have been no reported adverse consequences or interactions of Apocaps use in dogs on seizure control medications. However, in human literature, there are reports of glutamine decreasing the effectiveness of seizure control medication in people. A small amount of L-Glutamine is used in Apocaps. Like all health care steps, consult with your veterinarian before using Apocaps. If this is not possible, we advise avoiding the use of Apocaps use in dogs on seizure control medication as the very safest recommendation.

Can Apocaps be used if I am also giving Artemisinin?

Yes, but not at the same time. Artemisinin will interfere with Apocaps (and vice versa), so the recommendation is to cycle them. Artemisinin is given continuously, then halted, then resumed after a period of time. In the period of time when no artemisinin is given, you can give Apocaps. Do not give Apocaps at the same time as artemisinin. A cycle to try is 5 days on artemisinin, 5 days on Apocaps, 5 days on artemisinin, 5 days or Apocaps, and so on.

My dog is on antioxidants (K-9 Immunity, omega-3 fatty acids from fish and krill oil, and vitamins). Can I give Apocaps to my dog?

Yes, you can give Apocaps to your dog if she is on antioxidants; just give them at separate times of day. Antioxidants may interfere with the effect of Apocaps; so give them a minimum of three hours apart. Often antioxidants are given with meals, so time your Apocaps doses between meals on an empty stomach or with a very small amount of food for best effects. There is some evidence that giving Apocaps in the late morning (10-11 AM) and/or the late evening (10-11 PM) may be most effective, making that an ideal time to give, especially if you are giving antioxidants at mealtimes.

Since the Apocaps contain Luteolin, should we stop the Lutimax supplements?

Since Apocaps has luteolin already, you may discontinue the Lutimax since you would be giving two sources of the same ingredient.

I have a question regarding the need for amino acid supplementation in addition to Apocaps for my dog. Should she be given an amino acid supplement like Juven in addition to Apocaps?

Amino acid supplementation is useful in cases of definite weight loss. In general, Dr. Dressler does not routinely administer products like Juven or other amino acid supplements unless marked weight loss is occurring, or if there is continuing diarrhea.

Do you recommend the homeopathic remedy Carcinocin C as an adjunct to Apocaps and if so do you have a source for European version?

Currently there are no studies supporting or refuting the logic of the combination of Apocaps and the homeopathic remedy Carcinocin-C. Dr. Dressler does not see an immediate or predictable problem with that combination. We are not aware of a source for the European preparation, and advise consulting with veterinarians who are specialists in the use of homeopathy. You can find a list at http://www.holisticvetlist.com/

If your vet would like to consult with us about the use of Apocaps, we are happy to dialog with them. Have them contact us at DVM at apocaps.com (replace ‘at’ with @ to make a regularly-formatted email address). Then your clinician can dialog with you about the use of Apocaps in your specific case.

Do you recommend the homeopathic remedy Hekla Lava as an adjunct to Apocaps?

Much like the remedy Carcinocin C mentioned above, there are no studies to support or refute the combination. Consulting with a holistic veterinarian who specializes in homeopathy is your best bet: http://www.holisiticvetlist.com/

Apocaps has l-glutamine in it. Is this the same ingredient as glutamine?

Yes, the two are the same amino acid, in slightly different forms. If your dog has a brain tumor or a seizure disorder, use Apocaps with caution, and only under veterinary supervision.

Does the grapefruit extract in Apocaps alter the way chemotherapy drugs are metabolized?

No, the molecular agents in grapefruit that interact with chemotherapy drugs are not in rutin, which is the grapefruit extract used in Apocaps. If your vet would like to get the details, please have him or her email us at DVM (at) apocaps.com.

Long-term use of Apocaps

Should my dog take Apocaps for the rest of her life?

Currently Apocaps is recommended for continual use over approximately two years, although Apocaps can be continued after this interval. If the decision is made to discontinue Apocaps, it is advised to monitor your dog’s condition very closely. We always recommend working closely with your vet when using Apocaps, including during the period after Apocaps use.

Should I give my older dogs Apocaps as a preventative?

A quarter dose of Apocaps could be used to help restore normal life quality and activity levels, and to help maintain normal levels of apoptosis in the body’s cells in dogs who may not yet be showing signs of low apoptosis levels. It has been used in senior dogs with beneficial outcomes. Apocaps is not designed for routine use in young or middle-aged dogs unless they need help with normal apoptosis, life quality, and activity or mobility levels.

If your veterinarian emails us at DVM at apocaps.com (replace ‘at’ with @ to make a regularly-formatted email address), we can provide the necessary feedback to him or her. Then your clinician can dialog with you about the use of Apocaps in your specific case.

Also, consider EverPup, a tasty sprinkle-on powder designed by Dr. Dressler for dogs age four and older.

Side Effect Management

What about any side effects?

Side effects with the use of this product are extremely rare.

Call your veterinarian if you see the following: Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dark tarry stools, changes in activity level, change in urination (frequency, amount, or color), changes in drinking (increase or decrease), skin changes (redness, hives, itching or scratching), unexpected weight loss, or any other problems.

If my dog reacts with a side effect like that, what should I do?

Side effects due to Apocaps use are very rare. If your dog is experiencing side effects such as those listed above, please contact your vet for medical assistance. Then, let us know about the suspected adverse reaction by calling us at 888-936-4226.

My dog seems nauseous or is refusing food after I’ve started Apocaps.

Any change in diet can cause stomach upset in dogs, and some dogs are very sensitive to new diets or supplements. Most dogs do not have any trouble incorporating Apocaps into their diet, however, it can happen. It may be that your dog only tolerates a reduced dose, which is fine–there is still benefit to giving the supplement.

If you suspect that the addition of Apocaps is the cause of your dog’s stomach upset, the best way to deal with the issue is to stop giving Apocaps for 5 (five) days. If the symptoms decrease, try giving a quarter to half dose of Apocaps with full meals. Watch your dog for signs of stomach upset. If none appear, continue this dose for a week or two until you are confident that your dog is doing well on the reduced dose of Apocaps. If all goes well, increase the dose slightly, still giving with full meals. If there is no loss of appetite with this higher dose after a week or two, give the full dose, with full meals.

As always, veterinarian supervision is strongly recommended.

What should I do if my dog eats more than the recommended amount of Apocaps®?

Consult your veterinarian immediately if your dog eats more than the recommended amount of Apocaps®.

If you have a question about Apocaps that isn’t answered here, please contact us.