Vetmedin® Chew 10 mg (Vetmedin® Chew 10 mg), chewable 100 tablets
A brown, oval, chewable, divisible tablet with a break line on both sides.
Storage
One tablet (1.6 g) contains the active ingredient:
pimobendan – 10 mg.
Excipients: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate (type A), macrogol 6000, stearoyl macrogolglycerides, dried yeast, liver powder flavoring, talc, magnesium stearate.
Pharmacological properties
ATC vet classification code QC01CE90 – Non-glycoside cardiotonic veterinary drugs. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Pimobendan.
Pimobendan, a derivative of benzimadazole-pyridazinone, has a positive inotropic effect and has pronounced vasodilator (vasodilator) properties.
The positive inotropic effect of pimobendan is due to two mechanisms of action: increasing the sensitivity of heart muscle fibers to calcium and inhibiting the activity of phosphodiesterase III. Thus, the positive inotropic effect is not caused either by an action similar to the action of cardiac glycosides or sympathomimetic. The vasodilating effect is associated with inhibition of phosphodiesterase III activity.
In cases of symptomatic valvular heart failure, when used in combination with furosemide, the drug has been shown to improve the quality and prolong the life expectancy of treated dogs.
In a limited number of cases, when used in cases of symptomatic dilated cardiomyopathy in combination with furosemide, enalapril and digoxin, the drug has been shown to improve quality and prolong life expectancy in dogs.
After oral administration of pimobendan, its bioavailability is 60-63%. Because simultaneous or prior food intake reduces bioavailability, pimobendan should be administered approximately 1 hour before feeding the animal.
The volume of distribution is 2.6 l/kg, which indicates that pimobendan is evenly distributed in tissues. Average binding to plasma proteins is 93%.
The compound is demethylated by oxidation to the main active metabolite (UD-CG212). Further metabolic steps are phase II conjugates of UD-CG212, such as glucuronides and sulfates.
The plasma half-life of pimobendan is 0.4 ± 0.1 hours, which corresponds to a high clearance of 90 ± 19 ml/min/kg and a short mean retention time of 0.5 ± 0.1 hours. The most significant active metabolite is removed from blood plasma with a half-life of 2.0 ± 0.3 hours. Almost the entire dose is excreted in feces.
Application
For the treatment of congestive heart failure in dogs weighing 40 kg to 60 kg due to dilated cardiomyopathy or valvular insufficiency (regurgitation of the mitral and/or tricuspid valves).
For the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy in the preclinical stage (asymptomatic course with an increase in end-systolic and end-diastolic diameter of the left ventricle) in Doberman pinschers after echocardiographic diagnosis of heart disease.
For the treatment of dogs with myxomatous mitral heart disease (MMD) in the preclinical stage (asymptomatic course with systolic mitral murmur and signs of heart enlargement) to delay the onset of clinical symptoms of heart failure.
Dosage
Before starting the treatment, it is necessary to determine the exact body weight of the animal to ensure the correct dosage.
A dosage of 0.2 mg to 0.6 mg of pimobendan per 1 kg of body weight should be followed, divided into two doses per day.
The recommended daily dose is 0.5 mg of pimobendan per 1 kg of body weight, divided into two doses.
One chewable tablet (10 mg) in the morning and one chewable tablet (10 mg) in the evening for a body weight of 40 kg to 60 kg.
Features of application
Do not exceed the recommended dose.
The drug is used orally.
Apply about an hour before feeding.
The drug can also be used in combination with a diuretic, such as furosemide.
For a more accurate dosage that corresponds to the body weight of the animal, the tablet can be divided along the fracture line into two halves.
Contraindication
Do not use pimobendan in hypertrophic cardiomyopathies or in clinical conditions where cardiac output cannot be increased due to functional or anatomical features (eg, aortic stenosis).
Since the metabolism of pimobendan occurs mainly through the liver, the drug should not be used in dogs with severe hepatic impairment.
Side effect
In rare cases, a slight positive chronotropic effect (increased heart rate) and vomiting can be observed. However, these effects are dose-dependent and can be avoided by reducing the dose of the drug.
In rare cases, signs of transient diarrhea, lack of appetite or lethargy are observed.
In rare cases, with long-term treatment with pimobendan in dogs with mitral heart disease, an increase in regurgitation of the mitral valve is observed.
Although the relationship with the action of pimobendan has not been clearly established, in very rare cases, signs of an effect on primary hemostasis (mucous membrane petechiae, subcutaneous bleeding) may be observed during treatment. These symptoms disappear after stopping treatment.
Special precautions for use
Blood glucose levels should be checked regularly when treating diabetic dogs.
To use the drug for the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy in the preclinical stage (asymptomatic course with an increase in the end-systolic and end-diastolic diameter of the left ventricle), it is necessary to carry out a diagnosis through a comprehensive cardiac examination (including an echocardiographic study and, possibly, Holter monitoring).
In order to use the drug for the treatment of myxomatous mitral heart disease in the preclinical stage (stage B2, according to the ACVIM consensus: asymptomatic course with mitral murmur > 3/6 and cardiomegaly, due to myxomatous mitral heart disease), it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis through a comprehensive physical and cardiological examination, which should include, if necessary, echocardiography or radiography.
Monitoring of cardiac function and morphology in animals receiving pimobendan is recommended.
Tablets are flavored. To avoid accidental ingestion, keep tablets out of the reach of animals.
Use during pregnancy, lactation, pregnancy
Laboratory studies on rats and rabbits did not reveal any evidence of teratogenic or fetotoxic effects. However, these studies showed the presence of toxic effects on pregnant females and revealed embryotoxic effects at high doses, as well as the fact that pimobendan is excreted in milk. The safety of the drug for pregnant and lactating female dogs has not been evaluated. The drug can only be used by a veterinarian in accordance with the benefit/risk assessment of the medicinal product.
Interaction with other means and other forms of interaction
In pharmacological studies, no interaction was observed between the cardiac glycoside strophantin and pimobendan. Pimobendan-induced increases in cardiac contractility are attenuated by the calcium antagonists verapamil and diltiazem and the P-antagonist propranolol.
Special warnings
The drug has not been studied in cases of asymptomatic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Dobermans with atrial fibrillation or persistent ventricular tachycardia.
The drug has not been studied in cases of asymptomatic myxomatous mitral heart disease in dogs with significant supraventricular and/or ventricular tachyarrhythmias.
Release form
Sealed aluminum foil/PVC/aluminum foil/polyamide blister containing 10 tablets.
Cardboard box with 2 blisters of 10 tablets (20 tablets).
Cardboard box with 5 blisters of 10 tablets (50 tablets).
Cardboard box with 10 blisters of 10 tablets (100 tablets).
Storage
A dry, dark place inaccessible to children at a temperature not higher than 25 °C.
Divided tablets should be returned to the open blister pocket and placed back in the cardboard box.
Expiration date
2 years. The shelf life of divided (half) tablets after opening the original package is 3 days.