What is the purpose of Vetmedin?

Vetmedin (pimobendan) is supplied as oblong half-scored chewable tablets containing 1.25 or 5 mg pimobendan per tablet. Pimobendan, a benzimidazole-pyridazinone derivative, is a non-sympathomimetic, non-glycoside inotropic drug with vasodilatative properties. Pimobendan exerts a stimulatory myocardial effect by a dual mechanism of action consisting of an increase in calcium sensitivity of cardiac myofilaments and inhibition of phosphodiesterase (Type III). Pimobendan exhibits vasodilating activity by inhibiting phosphodiesterase III activity.

Directions

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. Dosage Chart:

Weight lbs      Daily Dosage (mg)    # of pills per day 1.25mg   Administer (AM then PM)

5.5lbs(2.5kg)         1.25mg                        1                                            ½ a pill every 12 hours

8.25bs(3.75kg)      1.875mg                    1.5                                          1 pill  & then a ½ every 12 hours

11lbs(5kg)             2.50mg                       2                                             1 pill every 12 hours

16.5lbs(7.5kg)       3.75mg                        3                                             1 & ½ pills every 12 hours

22lbs (10kg)          5.06mg                       4                                              2 pills every 12 hours

Weight lbs  Daily Dosage (mg)   # of pills per day 5.0mg    Administer (AM then PM)

22lbs(10kg)      5.06mg                           1                                             ½ a pill every 12 hours

33lbs(15kg)       7.59mg                          1.5                                          1 pill  & then a ½ every 12 hours

44lbs(20kg)      10.12mg                         2                                             1 pill every 12 hours

66lbs(30kg)      15.18mg                       3                                             1 & ½ pills every 12 hours

88lbs(40kg)       20.24mg                      4                                             2 pills every 12 hours

Ingredients

The chemical name of pimobendan is 4,5-dihydro-6-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-yl]-5-methyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone.

Cautions

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

Side Effects

The most common side effects reported in field studies were poor appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, dyspnea, azotemia, weakness and ataxia. If side effects should occur, pet owners should contact their veterinarian.