Librela 10 mg Solution for Injection for Dogs
Bedinvetmab
Last verified
Veterinary medicinal product: solution for injection. Distribution category: POM-V (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Bedinvetmab.1
In short: questions and answers
- Does Librela 10 mg Solution for Injection for Dogs need a prescription?
- Prescription only. As stated in the registration decision.1
- Which animals is Librela 10 mg Solution for Injection for Dogs for?
- Dogs.1
- What is the active substance in Librela 10 mg Solution for Injection for Dogs?
- Bedinvetmab. ATCvet code: QN02BG91.13
- What is the withdrawal period of Librela 10 mg Solution for Injection for Dogs according to the leaflet?
- No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3
- Dispensing
- Prescription only1
POM-V: Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinarian. Supplied only on a prescription written by a veterinary surgeon who has assessed the animal.12
Supplied only on a veterinarian's prescription. As stated in the registration decision.
- Animal species
- Dogs1
- Active substance
- Bedinvetmab
- ATCvet code
- QN02BG913
- Manufacturer
- Marketing authorisation holder: Zoetis UK Limited
Withdrawal period
No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3
Summary of product characteristics
Composition
Each vial of 1 ml contains:
Active substance:
bedinvetmab*: 10 mg
* Bedinvetmab is a canine monoclonal antibody expressed through recombinant techniques in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
6.1 List of excipients
L-histidine
Histidine hydrochloride monohydrate
Trehalose dihydrate
Disodium edetate
Methionine
Poloxamer 188
Water for injections
Pharmaceutical form
The product should appear clear to slightly opalescent without any visible particles.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Other analgesics and antipyretics.
ATCvet Code: QN02BG91
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Mechanism of action:
Bedinvetmab is a canine monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting nerve growth factor (NGF). The inhibition of NGF mediated cell signalling has demonstrated to provide relief from pain associated with osteoarthritis.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic particulars
In a 6-month laboratory study of healthy, adult Beagles administered bedinvetmab every 28 days at doses ranging from 1-10 mg/kg, AUC and Cmax increased nearly in proportion to dose and steady-state was achieved after approximately 2 doses. In a laboratory pharmacokinetic study at the clinical label dose (0.5-1.0 mg/kg bw), peak serum drug levels (Cmax) of 6.10 mcg/ml were observed at 2-7 days (tmax = 5.6 days) after subcutaneous dosing, the bioavailability was approximately 84%, the elimination half-life was approximately 12 days, and the mean AUC0-∞ was 141 mcg x d/ml.
In a field effectiveness study at the label dose in dogs with osteoarthritis, the terminal half-life averaged 16 days. Steady state was achieved after 2 doses.
Bedinvetmab, like endogenous proteins, is expected to be degraded into small peptides and amino acids via normal catabolic pathways. Bedinvetmab is not metabolised by cytochrome P450 enzymes; therefore, interactions with concomitant medications that are substrates, inducers, or inhibitors of cytochrome P450 enzymes are unlikely.
Immunogenicity:
The presence of binding antibodies to bedinvetmab in dogs was assessed using a multitier approach. In field studies of dogs with osteoarthritis receiving bedinvetmab once monthly, the appearance of anti-bedinvetmab antibodies was infrequent. None of the dogs exhibited any adverse clinical signs considered to be associated with binding antibodies to bedinvetmab.
Field trials:
In field studies lasting up to 3 months, treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis was demonstrated to have a favourable effect on the reduction of pain assessed by the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI). CBPI is an assessment by the animal owner of an individual dog’s response to pain treatment as assessed by pain severity (scale of 0 to 10, where 0 = no pain and 10 = extreme pain), interference of pain with the dog’s typical activities (scale of 0 to 10, where 0 = no interference and 10 = completely interferes) and quality of life. In the pivotal EU multicentre field study, 43.5% of the Librela-treated dogs and 16.9% of the placebo-treated dogs demonstrated treatment success, defined as a reduction of ≥1 in pain severity score (PSS) and ≥2 in pain interference score (PIS), on day 28 after the first dose. An onset of efficacy was demonstrated at 7 days post administration, with treatment success demonstrated in 17.8% of the Librela-treated dogs and 3.8% of the placebo-treated dogs. Treatment with bedinvetmab has demonstrated a positive effect on all three components of the CBPI. Data from an uncontrolled follow-up study lasting up to 9 months indicated sustained efficacy of treatment.
Target species
Dogs.
Indications
For the alleviation of pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs.
Dosage
Subcutaneous use.
Dosage and treatment schedule:
The recommended dose is 0.5-1.0 mg/kg bodyweight, once a month
Dogs weighing <5.0 kg:
Aseptically withdraw 0.1 ml/kg from a single 5 mg/ml vial and administer subcutaneously.
For dogs between 5 and 60 kg administer the entire content of the vial (1 ml) according to the table below:
Librela strength (mg) to be administered
| Bodyweight (kg) of dog | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0-10.0 | 1 vial | ||||
| 10.1-20.0 | 1 vial | ||||
| 20.1-30.0 | 1 vial | ||||
| 30.1-40.0 | 1 vial | ||||
| 40.1-60.0 | 1 vial | ||||
| 60.1-80.0 | 2 vials | ||||
| 80.1-100.0 | 1 vial | 1 vial | |||
| 100.1-120.00 | 2 vials |
For dogs above 60 kg, the contents of more than one vial are required to administer a single dose. In those cases, withdraw the content from each required vial into the same syringe and administer as a single subcutaneous injection (2 ml).
Contraindications
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
Do not use in dogs under 12 months.
Do not use in animals intended for breeding.
Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals.
Adverse reactions
Dogs:
Uncommon (1 to 10 animals / 1,000 animals treated): Injection site reaction (e.g. injection site swelling, injection site warmth)1.
Rare (1 to 10 animals / 10,000 animals treated): Diarrhoea, Emesis. Ataxia2. Polyuria, Urinary incontinence. Anorexia3, Lethargy, Polydipsia.
Very rare (<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports): Hypersensitivity reaction (anaphylaxis, facial swelling, pruritus)4, Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia, Immune-mediated polyarthritis, Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. Joint swelling5, Joint pain5, Bone and joint disorder5, Soft tissue ossification5 Paresis, Paralysis, Seizure.
1 Mild
2 Including proprioceptive ataxia.
3 Often related to a transient reduced appetite.
4 In case of such reactions, appropriate symptomatic treatment should be administered.
5 New bone formation, coupled with joint swelling and/or pain, affecting the periosteum, joint capsule and adjacent soft tissues has been observed following repeated administration. Radiographically or on cross sectional imaging this is defined by extensive, irregular periosteal and ectopic mineralized tissue formation that extends beyond normal chondro-osseous margins into the metaphyseal and, in some cases, diaphyseal regions of adjacent bones. Bone alterations, including focal osteolysis or erosions may be observed. These changes may present unilaterally or bilaterally, can affect multiple joints, may be progressive and in very rare cases have been associated with fracture.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.
Warnings
i) Special precautions for use in animals
Where a dog has not been able to properly exercise prior to treatment due to its clinical condition, it is recommended that the dog is gradually (over a few weeks) allowed to increase the amount of exercise they take (to prevent overexercise by some dogs).
Caution should be used when treating patients with the following pre-existing conditions: immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia, immune-mediated polyarthritis, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.
Caution should be used when treating patients with pre-existing seizure disorder.
Where a dog presents with new or increased joint swelling and/or joint pain following Librela treatment (see section 4.6), consideration should be given to perform additional diagnostics and discontinue treatment on a case-by-case basis.
ii) Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, could potentially occur in the case of accidental self-injection. Repeated self-administration may increase the risk of hypersensitivity reactions.
The importance of nerve growth factor (NGF) in ensuring normal foetal nervous system development is well-established and laboratory studies conducted on non- human primates with human anti-NGF antibodies have shown evidence of reproductive and developmental toxicity. Pregnant women, women trying to conceive and breastfeeding women should take extreme care to avoid accidental self-injection.
In case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.
iii) Other precautions
Not applicable.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation or in breeding dogs. Laboratory studies with human anti- NGF antibodies in cynomolgus monkeys have shown evidence of teratogenic and foetotoxic effects.
Pregnancy and lactation:
Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals.
Fertility:
Do not use in breeding animals.
Interactions
In a laboratory study over a 2-week period in young, healthy dogs without osteoarthritis, this veterinary medicinal product had no adverse effect when concomitantly administered with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory product (carprofen).
There are no safety data on the concurrent long-term use of NSAIDs and bedinvetmab in dogs.
In clinical trials in humans, rapidly progressive osteoarthritis has been reported in patients receiving humanised anti-NGF monoclonal antibody therapy. The incidence of these events increased with high doses and in those human patients that received long-term (more than 90 days) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) concomitantly with an anti-NGF monoclonal antibody.
Dogs have no reported equivalent of human rapidly progressive osteoarthritis.
No other laboratory studies on the safety of concomitant administration of this veterinary medicinal product with other veterinary medicinal products have been conducted. No interactions were observed in field studies where this veterinary medicinal product was administered concomitantly with veterinary medicinal products containing parasiticides, antimicrobials, topical antiseptics with or without corticosteroids, antihistamines and vaccines.
If a vaccine(s) is to be administered at the same time as treatment with this veterinary medicinal product, the vaccine(s) should be administered at a different site to that of the veterinary medicinal products administration, to reduce any potential impact on immunogenicity of the vaccine.
Overdose
No adverse reactions, except mild reactions at the injection site, were observed in a laboratory overdose study when the veterinary medicinal product was administered for 7 consecutive monthly doses at 10 times the maximum recommended dose. In case of adverse clinical signs after an overdose the dog should be treated symptomatically.
Special warnings
This veterinary medicinal product may induce transient or persistent anti-drug antibodies.
The induction of such antibodies is uncommon and may have no effect or may result in a decrease in efficacy in animals that responded to treatment previously.
If no or limited response is observed within one month after initial dosing, an improvement in response may be observed after administration of a second dose one month later. However, if the animal does not show a better response after the second dose, the veterinary surgeon should consider alternative treatments.
Withdrawal period
Not applicable.
Incompatibilities
Do not mix with any other veterinary medicinal product.
Immediate packaging
Clear glass type I vials with fluorobutyl rubber stopper.
Pack sizes:
Cardboard box with 1 vial of 1 ml.
Cardboard box with 2 vials of 1 ml.
Cardboard box with 6 vials of 1 ml.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Storage
Store and transport refrigerated (2 °C – 8 °C).
Do not freeze.
Store in the original package.
Protect from light.
Shelf life
Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 years. Shelf life after first opening the immediate packaging: use immediately.
Disposal of unused product
Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal products should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
Additional information
Vm 42058/5030
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION
10 November 2020
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
May 2026
PROHIBITION OF SALE, SUPPLY AND/OR USE
Not applicable
11 CLASSIFICATION OF VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCTS
Veterinary medicinal product subject to prescription.
Gavin Hall Approved: 20 May 2026
Registration holder
Zoetis UK Limited
1st Floor, Birchwood Building
Springfield Drive
Leatherhead
Surrey
KT22 7LP
Regulations
- Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/2033), Schedule 32
Sources
- VMD Product Information Database: Librela 10 mg Solution for Injection for Dogs, 42058/5030
- The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3 (categories of veterinary medicinal products)
- Summary of Product Characteristics: Librela 10 mg Solution for Injection for Dogs