Levagen+ (palmitoylethanolamide) alleviates joint pain and reduces the impact of joint pain in canines and felines: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study assessed the effectiveness of Levagen+ (palmitoylethanolamide), a fatty acid amide and lipid mediator, for both the alleviation and impact of joint pain, in canines and felines. METHODS: This prospective double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled study supplemented 50 canines and 50 felines experiencing joint pain daily for 6&#x202f;weeks with either Levagen+ or a placebo taken orally. Efficacy was determined in canines using the Canine Brief Pain Index (CBPI) and in felines using the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI), both completed by owners at baseline, week 2, week 4 and week 6. Data were analyzed with distribution-appropriate tests and a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA to assess group, time, and interaction effects across outcomes. RESULTS: In canines, significantly more were classified as successfully treated in the Levagen+ group compared to the placebo group (76% vs. 40%;&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05), with significant improvements in multiple pain and functional interference domains. In felines, significant between-group differences were observed for specific functional tasks [jumping up (&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05), jumping down (&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05)] and in scores for current pain [week 2 (&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05) and week 6 (&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05)]. Levagen+ was well tolerated in both species. DISCUSSION: These findings supported the hypothesis that Levagen+ reduces the impact of joint pain in companion animals.