Beransa for Dogs: Safety, Effectiveness, and How It Compares to Cartrophen

Beransa - an innovative monthly injection for canine osteoarthritis - has generated both significant interest and some concern among Australian pet owners. Media reports have highlighted adverse reactions in some dogs, and questions about its safety are understandable. At our clinic, we believe in addressing these concerns openly and providing balanced information so you can make an informed decision with your vet.

What is Beransa?

Beransa (bedinvetmab) is a monoclonal antibody therapy that targets nerve growth factor (NGF), a key protein involved in transmitting pain signals from arthritic joints. Unlike conventional pain medications, Beransa does not reduce inflammation - it blocks pain signals at the biological source. It is administered as a monthly injection under the skin and received TGA approval in Australia in 2022.

Beransa is available by veterinary prescription only and is supplied exclusively through veterinary clinics - it cannot be purchased over the counter.

Addressing the safety concerns

Some dogs have experienced serious adverse reactions to Beransa, including neurological symptoms and immune-mediated conditions. These cases are genuinely concerning and we do not minimise them. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) continues to monitor Beransa closely and has updated its label to reflect rare but serious side effects.

At the same time, all medications carry risks. The question is always whether the benefit outweighs the risk for each individual patient. We have seen Beransa produce genuine, significant improvements in quality of life for many dogs - animals who were reluctant to move, who had stopped engaging with their family, who were clearly in pain. Seeing those dogs return to activity is not something we take lightly.

Beransa vs Cartrophen: what is the difference?

This is one of the most common questions we receive. Both treat osteoarthritis pain in dogs but through completely different mechanisms.

How they work: Cartrophen (pentosan polysulfate sodium) is a disease-modifying drug that improves joint fluid quality, stimulates cartilage repair, reduces inflammation, and improves blood flow to joints. Beransa targets nerve growth factor to block pain signals. Cartrophen works on the joint environment itself; Beransa works on the pain pathway.

Onset of effect: Cartrophen requires a course of four weekly injections before most owners notice significant improvement. Beransa often produces noticeable pain relief within the first month of treatment, sometimes sooner.

Administration: Cartrophen is given as a course of four weekly injections, repeated every three to six months. Beransa is a single monthly injection ongoing.

Best suited for: Cartrophen works well for dogs with early to moderate arthritis where there is still joint tissue worth supporting. Beransa tends to be most effective for moderate to severe pain where the primary goal is pain management. Many dogs benefit from both simultaneously - the mechanisms are complementary and they are not contraindicated together.

Safety profile: Cartrophen has a long Australian track record with a well-established safety profile. Beransa is newer and the adverse reaction profile is still being defined through post-market surveillance, which is why careful monitoring is particularly important in the first few months of treatment.

Cost: Beransa is generally more expensive per injection than Cartrophen. For dogs who respond well and return to full normal activity, most owners consider the cost well justified.

Librela for cats

Cats with osteoarthritis have historically been very difficult to treat because many medications safe for dogs are toxic to cats, and NSAIDs require careful monitoring due to cats' sensitive kidneys. Librela (frunevetmab) is the feline equivalent of Beransa - a monoclonal antibody targeting NGF developed specifically for cats. It is a monthly injection and has recently become available in Australia.

Arthritis is significantly underdiagnosed in cats because the signs are subtle: less jumping onto furniture, changes in grooming patterns, reduced interaction, sleeping more than usual. If your cat is showing any of these signs, it is worth discussing a musculoskeletal assessment.

Our approach

We assess each patient individually before starting Beransa, considering age, health status, concurrent medications, and lifestyle. We discuss risks and benefits openly. We monitor closely through blood tests and repeat examinations, particularly in the first few months. And if Beransa is not the right fit, we explore alternatives - because there is no one-size-fits-all solution in managing osteoarthritis.

If you have questions about Beransa, Librela, Cartrophen, or arthritis management in general, please call us on (03) 9439 8650 or book an appointment. We are happy to talk through the options for your specific pet.