15/09/2024
Some educational material about Librela drug and why I would not give it to my animals (unless it's absolute last resort and paliative support situation and nothing else worked, and life is coming to an end). You might be suggested this drug for your dog or cat, but you probably won't be informed about all the adverse effects and how this drug actually works.
Librela acts by binding to and blocking a protein in dog’s body - nerve growth factor (NGF). Once this artificial antibody has bound to NGF, it prevents it from attaching to its receptors on nerve cells and interrupts the transmission of pain signals.
HOWEVER! NGF has many other functions in many other tissues throughout dog’s body. It’s not only involved in pain signaling, but it’s very important for the growth, maintenance, and survival of nerve cells in the central and peripheral nervous system. It regulates the growth and differentiation of B-lymphocytes and the maturation of T cells in case of infection. It has an important role in the regulation of dog’s immune system. It’s involved in the maintenance and survival of pancreatic beta cells (insulin production). And likely other important roles beyond those listed.
While it might reduce pain and inflammation in joints, it does so by blocking a protein that has multiple other regulatory effects throughout multiple body systems, including immune system. It binds NGF everywhere. Not only in the painful area, where there is too much of it, but in all the places it’s needed for optimal health and vitality.
Librela manages pain and stiffness, but doesn’t improve the underlying osteoarthritis. Some suggest controling activity for some dogs who suddenly become much more active after taking the drug. Dogs who suddenly feel pain-free are reportedly inclined to overdo things, which may result in further joint damage.
There is a 10-20% chance of minimal positive effects and no negative effects. And a 2-10% chance of adverse effects. Some adverse effects are significant, including a chance of irreversible injury that could lead to death, or need for euthanasia before the medicine has worn off. Librela has a variable half life, with an average of 19 days. That means 50% is gone in 19 days, 75% is gone in 38 days, and so on.
First picture is from drug's insert - Europe testing info results. Second picture is from FDA adverse event reports. Starting on page 8 of their report you can read all adverse events reported to them. I only put screen shot where death events are listed under subcutaneous administration (which is how it should be administered). 800+ dogs reported DYING from Librela in US over 1 year period (euthanasia and other deaths combined). Given that statistical research shows only 10% or less adverse drug events actually get reported, real number of dogs dead from Librela in US is probably over 8000. There are other serious adverse events in high numbers that leave dogs way worse than before the injection and sometimes that damage is permanent.
So as I said in the beginning - this drug is garbage; I would only consider it as a very last option if everything else fails (and there are MANY safe and effective options to help with and manage arthritis).
(link to FDA adverse events report https://www.fda.gov/media/180522/download )
