Generic drug for canine osteoarthritis receives FDA approval

A generic product for managing pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis (OA) in canines has been approved by FDA officials. Meloxicam Oral Suspension (Felixvet) is bioequivalent to Metacam (Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health) at the equal amount (1.5 mg/mL) of meloxicam, the active ingredient.1,2

“Pain relief is essential to quality of life, especially for aging pets,” Vince Palasota, president of the North America division for Felixvet, said in a news release.1 “With the approval of Meloxicam Oral Suspension, we’re providing veterinarians and pet owners with a safe, trusted treatment option backed by rigorous FDA standards.”

Meloxicam Oral Suspension is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug, dispensed by prescription. The FDA has determined the drug to be safe and effective, when administered according to the label, for relieving stiffness, decreased mobility and joint pain, while improving the affected patient’s overall comfort and activity level.1,2

OA is a leading cause of chronic pain in dogs and can have a large impact on both patient and owner quality of life. In a lecture at the 2025 Fetch dvm360 Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, presenter David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS-SA, founder and orthopedic surgeon at Fusion Veterinary Orthopedics in Lanham, Maryland, told veterinarians that, as an inflammatory disease that can be secondary to other diseases, OA can occur in dogs at any age. He also noted that some clinical signs of OA are subtle and identifying the disease requires a patient history, physical examination and diagnostic imaging.3

“OA is a total management disease,” Dycus said. “Our primary focus in patients with OA should be on modulating, mitigating, and/or eliminating inflammation.”3

The generic meloxicam oral product is supplied in 32 mL and 100 mL bottles with measuring syringes. The FDA indicates initial administration of the drug at a dose of 0.09 mg/lb body weight only on the first day of treatment, and once daily at a dose of 0.045 mg/lb body weight for all subsequent treatments.2 The drug can be mixed with food or administered directly, depending on the patient's weight and with veterinarian guidance.2

Clinical results may be seen within days, according to Felixvet. “Pet owners are seeking convenient and dependable options to manage chronic pain,” Palasota said.1 “Meloxicam Oral Suspension delivers on both counts.”

Meloxicam Oral Suspension is part of a portfolio of generic products launched by Felixvet for managing canine osteoarthritis pain and inflammation, which also includes an injectable formulation of meloxicam.4 Additionally, the company launched Carprofen Soft Chewable Tablets, a generic NSAID therapeutically equivalent to Rimadyl (Zoetis) for managing pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and for postoperative pain associated with soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries in dogs, in April 2025.5

References

1. Felixvet receives FDA approval for Meloxicam Oral Suspension. News release. Felixvet. December 18, 2025. [email]
2. FDA. Freedom of information summary: ANADA 200-817. July 21, 2025. Accessed December 18, 2025. https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadFoi/17255
3. Boatright K. Make a patient specific plan for canine osteoarthritis. dvm360. March 24, 2025. Accessed April 4, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/make-a-patient-specific-plan-for-canine-osteoarthritis
4. Products. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Felixvet. Accessed December 18, 2025. https://felixvetus.com/products/#non-steroidal-anti-inflammatories
5. Crossley KC. New generic chewable tablets are available for osteoarthritis in dogs. dvm360. April 4, 2025. Accessed December 18, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-generic-chewable-tablets-are-available-for-osteoarthritis-in-dogs