Severe side effects associated with popular canine arthritis medications

Just like people, dogs can suffer from arthritis, but as pet owners, we never want to hear that our dog’s medicine is making it worse instead of better. Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a letter veterinarians informing them of serious side effects associated with Librela (bedinvetmab injection), a common medication used to treat arthritis in dogs.

Here’s what you should know about the FDA’s findings and what to do if you believe your dog has suffered an adverse event due to Librela treatment.

What is Librela?

Librela, sponsored by pet health company Zoetis, is an antibody treatment drug given by injection for manage pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. Librela was the first reviewed and approved The FDA in May 2023, becoming the first drug of its kind with a monoclonal antibody after finding it safe and effective for its intended use. If prescribed, Librela is dosed based on the dog’s weight and given as a monthly injection.

Adverse events associated with Librel

FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine summarized and reviewed adverse events associated with Librela between the approval date of May 5, 2023, and March 2024. Based on the report’s findings, the following events were identified including:

• Ataxia (loss of muscle control)
• Anorexia
• Lethargy
• Attacks
• Paresis (partial loss or impairment of muscle function)
• Lying down (inability to stand)
• Urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control)
• Polyuria (excessive urination)
• Polydipsia (excessive thirst)

In some cases, death (including from euthanasia) was reported as an outcome of these adverse events.

In a company press release, Zoetis Chief Medical Officer Richard Goldstein, DVM, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA, says the company takes all new information seriously and closely monitors new reports of adverse events. Additionally, Goldstein advises veterinarians to rule out all potential alternative diagnoses of osteoarthritis before prescribing Librela, as the drug’s only approved use is to treat osteoarthritis pain.

Reporting of potential adverse events from Librela

Because Librela is a prescription drug, owners of dogs treated with Librela should discuss with their veterinarian any possible side effects they may have noticed at home after a Librela injection.

The FDA advises US veterinarians to report adverse effects of Librela directly to Zoetis at 1-888-963-8471, which is required to submit such reports to the FDA. Vets can too report directly to the FDA.