By Peter Loftus and Jennifer Calfas
Animal-drug maker Zoetis is alerting dog owners and veterinarians to potential debilitating side effects from a new arthritis injection that have caused some dogs to be euthanized.
The company said Tuesday it updated the prescribing label of the drug, Librela, to mention rare health problems that have been reported since its introduction in the U.S. in 2023.
A new section of the drug's prescribing label lists seizures, paralysis, lethargy and muscle weakness, some of which led to euthanasia, the company said.
The updated label advises veterinarians to discuss potential side effects with dog owners before injecting the drug. Zoetis also said vets should give information sheets to dog owners that discuss side effects.
Zoetis said it remains confident in the safety and effectiveness of Librela, which was the first antibody-based treatment for osteoarthritis in dogs. The company said the potential side effects were rare, less than 10 per 10,000 animals treated. More than one million dogs in the U.S. have been treated.
"Every medicine has potential benefits and risks, and it's important for pet owners to work closely with their veterinarians to weigh those appropriately and maintain an open dialogue about their pets' experiences," said Richard Goldstein, chief medical officer at Zoetis.
The Wall Street Journal reported concerns about the side effects in April 2024. The Food and Drug Administration sent a letter to vets in December warning them of the side effects.
Librela is expected to become a big seller for Zoetis. The company's stock price tumbled last spring on the safety concerns but has partially recovered. Shares were up 0.1% in premarket trading at $172.17. The stock is up 5.5% year-to-date.
The Librela label update doesn't apply to a similar Zoetis arthritis drug for cats, Solensia, which also has been the subject of safety concerns.
Write to Peter Loftus at Peter.Loftus@wsj.com and Jennifer Calfas at jennifer.calfas@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 04, 2025 10:41 ET (15:41 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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