F.A.Q.
What are Apocaps™?
Apocaps™ are capsules that contain a blend of apoptogens and other healthful ingredients. Apoptogens may support normal cell turnover and may help support normalization of healthy cell populations. Apocaps™ may help support normal life quality and long-term health. Apocaps™ are made for dogs receiving regular veterinary care.
What results may be seen with Apocaps®?
Apocaps may help support normal life quality, usually within a week (or even days) of starting Apocaps. In some dogs, the effects may be slower, taking up to 3-4 weeks. Normal vitality, activity and vigor may be supported with Apocaps use.
Which dogs should not use Apocaps®?
Dogs with allergic reactions to Apocaps or to ingredients in Apocaps.
Dogs experiencing vomiting or diarrhea.
Dogs less than 5 pounds should not use this size Apocaps capsules.
Safety has not been established for dogs with kidney or liver disease.
Safety has not been established for use in pregnant, nursing or breeding dogs.
Safety has not been established for use in diabetic dogs or in dogs less than 6 months of age.
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. Call a physician promptly if you take Apocaps accidentally.
How do I give Apocaps™?
Apocaps should be given with a very small amount of food, preferably less than 1-2 tablespoons, to help reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal upset.
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 seen in your dog.
The label instructions say to give between meals, but can I give with Apocaps to my dog with a meal?
In order for Apocaps to be effective, it is best that you give it on an empty stomach with a small amount of food (1-2 tablespoons), as the label states. The reason it is more effective on an empty stomach is that the ingredients are better absorbed into the bloodstream when the body is not digesting a full meal. If you give Apocaps with a meal, there may be slightly less absorption into the body. It is therefore preferable to give Apocaps a minimum of one hour before or one hour after a meal for maximum effectiveness. If you are having difficulty administering Apocaps this way, or if your dog experiences digestive upset, you may administer Apocaps with food.
Can I give Apocaps™ with veterinary medications or treatments?
Consult with your veterinarian before starting any aspect of care for your dog. Apocaps™ administration should be stopped 3 or more days before surgery until after healing is complete. The use of Apocaps™ may be started again once healing is complete.
Apocaps™ may be given concurrently with other common veterinary medications or treatments as advised by your veterinarian.
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™.
For technical assistance or to report suspected adverse reactions, call 888-936-4226.
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 any 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 would be happy to do so. 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.
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.
The Apocaps literature indicates to give the Apocaps with “a very small amount of food …”. To me this implies that Apocaps should be given on an empty stomach … except for the 1-2 tablespoons of food. What is the time interval before or after a meal to wait before giving 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 is not absolutely necessary. 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.
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/
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.
Since the Apocaps contain Luteolin, should we stop the Lutimax supplements?
Since Apocaps is designed to help maintain normal life quality and expectancy and does have luteolin already, you may discontinue the Lutimax since you would be giving two sources of the same ingredient.
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?
Apocaps is used to help restore normal life quality and activity levels, and to help maintain normal levels of apoptosis in the body’s cells. 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, 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.
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, but this is not absolutely necessary.
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.
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.
Can I give my dog Apocaps during or after surgery?
Apocaps should be stopped three or more days prior to surgery. You can resume giving Apocaps once healing from the surgery is complete.
Can I give Apocaps with prednisone, prednisolone or other anti-inflammatory agents?
You can, but with some caution. Apocaps has an anti-inflammatory effect, so we recommend reducing the dose of Apocaps by half if you are using prednisone or any NSAIDs.
Does the grapefruit extract in Apocaps alter the way chemotherapy drugs are metabolized?
No, the agents in grapefruit that interact with chemotherapy drugs are not in Apocaps. If your vet would like to get the details, please have him or her email us at DVM (at) apocaps.com.
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 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 who has 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.
