Vetmedin 10 mg Chewable Tablets, 50 Count

Cardiac drug for oral use in dogs only

Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Description:Vetmedin is a prescribed FDA Approved veterinary inodilator that aids in dilating veins and arteries. It also works to increase cardiac output, which lightens the workload of your dog's heart. Vetmedin may also help your dog with congestive heart failure so she can feel better and improve her quality of life. Given every 12 hours, the unique dual action of Vetmedin dilates the blood vessels carrying blood to and from the heart—reducing the preload and afterload on the heart—while simultaneously improving contractility of the heart muscle. Pimobendan, Vetmedin’s active ingredient, reduces stress on the heart while increasing cardiac output, without raising oxygen or energy consumption. Vetmedin helps dogs engage in the daily activities they enjoy. These chewable tablets have a wag-worthy beef flavor and are available in four convenient dosing sizes (1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg).

Uses: Vetmedin (pimobendan) is indicated for the management of the signs of mild, moderate, or severe (modified NYHA Class IIa, IIIb, or IVc) congestive heart failure in dogs due to atrioventricular valvular insufficiency (AVVI) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Vetmedin is indicated for use with concurrent therapy for congestive heart failure (e.g., furosemide, etc.) as appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

Dosage and Administration: Vetmedin should be administered orally at a total daily dose of 0.23 mg/lb (0.5 mg/kg) body weight, using a suitable combination of whole or half tablets. The total daily dose should be divided into 2 portions that are not necessarily equal, and the portions should be administered approximately 12 hours apart (i.e., morning and evening). The tablets are scored and the calculated dosage should be provided to the nearest half tablet increment.

Contraindications: Vetmedin should not be given in cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, or any other clinical condition where an augmentation of cardiac output is inappropriate for functional or anatomical reasons.

Warnings: Only for use in dogs with clinical evidence of heart failure. At 3 and 5 times the recommended dosage, administered over a 6-month period of time, pimobendan caused an exaggerated hemodynamic response in the normal dog heart, which was associated with cardiac pathology.

Human Warnings: Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of reach of children. Consult a physician in case of accidental ingestion by humans.

Precautions: The safety of Vetmedin has not been established in dogs with asymptomatic heart disease or in heart failure caused by etiologies other than AVVI or DCM. The safe use of Vetmedin has not been evaluated in dogs younger than 6 months of age, dogs with congenital heart defects, dogs with diabetes mellitus or other serious metabolic diseases, dogs used for breeding, or pregnant or lactating bitches.

To report suspected adverse reactions, to obtain a Material Safety Data Sheet, or for technical assistance call 1-866-638-2226.

Effectiveness: Vetmedin was used safely in dogs concurrently receiving furosemide, digoxin, enalapril, atenolol, spironolactone, nitroglycerin, hydralazine, diltiazem, antiparasitic products (including heartworm prevention), antibiotics (metronidazole, cephalexin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, fluoroquinolones), topical ophthalmic and otic products, famotidine, theophylline, levothyroxine sodium, diphenhydramine, hydrocodone, metoclopramide, and butorphanol, and in dogs on sodium-restricted diets.

Palatability: In a laboratory study, the palatability of Vetmedin was evaluated in 20 adult female Beagle dogs offered doses twice daily for 14 days. Ninety percent (18 of 20 dogs) voluntarily consumed more than 70% of the 28 tablets offered. Including two dogs that consumed only 4 and 7% of the tablets offered, the average voluntary consumption was 84.2%.

Storage Information: Store at controlled room temperature 59-86°F (15-30°C).