Dogs

For the treatment of canine congestive heart failure originating from valvular insufficiency (mitral and/or tricuspid valve regurgitation) or dilated cardiomyopathy. (See also Amounts to be administered and administration route).

Do not use pimobendan in hypertrophic cardiomyopathies or in diseases in which an improvement in cardiac output cannot be achieved for functional or anatomical reasons (e.g. aortic stenosis).

Since pimobendan is metabolised mainly via the liver, it should not be used in dogs with severe impairment of liver function (see also Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay).

None.

The blood glucose should be tested regularly during treatment in dogs with existing diabetes mellitus.

Monitoring of cardiac function and morphology is recommended in animals treated with pimobendan (See also Adverse reactions)

The chewable tablets are flavoured. In order to avoid any accidental ingestion, store tablets out of reach of the animals.

Accidental ingestion, especially by a child, may lead to the occurrence of tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, flushing of the face and headaches.

Unused part-tablets should be returned to the open blister space, or to the bottle and inserted back into the outer packaging. Keep in a safe place out of the sight and reach of children.

Close bottle tightly with cap directly after removal of the required number of tablets or part-tablets.

In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.

Wash hands after use.

In rare cases a slight positively chronotropic effect (rise in heart rate) and vomiting can occur. However, these effects are dose-dependent and can be avoided by reducing the dose.

In rare cases transient diarrhoea, anorexia or lethargy have been observed.

Although a relationship with pimobendan has not been clearly established, in very rare cases, signs of effects on primary haemostasis (petechiae on mucous membranes, subcutaneous haemorrhages) may be observed during treatment. These signs disappear when the treatment is withdrawn. In rare cases, an increase in mitral valve regurgitation has been observed during chronic pimobendan treatment in dogs with mitral valve disease.

Laboratory studies in rats and rabbits have not produced any evidence of teratogenic or foetotoxic effects. However, these studies have shown evidence of maternotoxic and embryotoxic effects at high doses, and have also shown that pimobendan is excreted into milk. The safety of the product has not been assessed in pregnant or nursing bitches. Use only according to the benefit/risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian.

In pharmacological studies no interaction between the cardiac glycosides strophanthin and pimobendan was observed. The pimobendan-induced increase in cardiac contractility is attenuated by the calcium antagonists verapamil and diltiazem and by the β-antagonist propranolol.

Do not exceed the recommended dosage.

Determine the bodyweight accurately before treatment to ensure correct dosage.

The tablets should be administered orally at a dose range of 0.2 mg to 0.6 mg pimobendan/kg bodyweight per day. The preferable daily dose is 0.5 mg pimobendan/kg bodyweight. The dose should be divided into two administrations (0.25 mg/kg bodyweight each), using a suitable combination of whole, or half of tablets. One half of the dose in the morning and the other half approximately 12 hours later.

Each dose should be given approximately one hour before feeding. Spontaneous intake by the animal or place the tablet behind the lingual torus.

This corresponds to:

One 1.25 mg chewable tablet in the morning and one 1.25 mg chewable tablet in the evening for a bodyweight of 5 kg.

One 5 mg chewable tablet in the morning and one 5 mg chewable tablet in the evening for a body weight of 20 kg.

One 10 mg chewable tablet in the morning and one 10 mg chewable tablet in the evening for a body weight of 40 kg.

Tablets are divisible in 2 for the 1.25, 5 and 10 mg tablet.

The product may be combined with a diuretic treatment such as furosemide.

In the case of overdose, a positive chronotropic effect, vomiting, apathy, ataxia, heart murmurs or hypotension may occur. In this situation, the dosage should be reduced and appropriate symptomatic treatment should be initiated.

In prolonged exposure (6 months) of healthy beagle dogs at 3 and 5 times the recommended dose, mitral valve thickening and left ventricular hypertrophy were observed in some dogs. These changes are of pharmacodynamic origin.

Not applicable.