Bedinvetmab: New Canine Osteoarthritis Drug for Veterinary Use

Jim Budde, PharmD, RPh, DICVP, Chief Pharmacy Officer, Instinct Science

ArticleLast Updated March 20241 min read

Full drug details and pet owner handout can be found at Plumb’s.

Veterinarians managing osteoarthritis in dogs now have a new therapeutic option available. Bedinvetmab (Librela) is FDA-approved to control osteoarthritis pain in dogs. 

Pharmacology of Bedinvetmab

Bedinvetmab is a canine IgG monoclonal antibody (mAb) that binds to nerve growth factor (NGF), thus decreasing NGF-mediated processes involved in pain.

Contraindications of Bedinvetmab

Bedinvetmab is contraindicated and should not be used in dogs that are hypersensitive to it, or in dogs that are pregnant, lactating, or intended for breeding. This drug has not been studied in dogs with a history of cruciate ligament rupture in the past 6 months, or in dogs less than 12 months old. 

Adverse Effects of Bedinvetmab

Potential adverse effects may include1:

  • Renal/Urinary: increased BUN, UTI, inappropriate urination

  • Dermal: bacterial skin infection, dermatitis, dermal mass or cyst, erythema

  • GI: vomiting, decreased appetite

  • Musculoskeletal: lameness, rear limb paresis, and individual cases of elbow dysplasia and ulnar cartilage necrosis

  • Miscellaneous: cough 

Additional Information

A comprehensive look at how to manage osteoarthritis in dogs using bedinvetmab is offered by the experts at Plumb’s — complete drug information and pet owner handout can be found here.