Pimobendan for dogs | Canine pimobendan tablets

Pimobendan for dogs Indications

SAFEHEART (pimobendan for dogs) manages signs of mild, moderate, or severe congestive heart failure in dogs caused by:

• Atrioventricular Valvular Insufficiency (AVVI)
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

It is suitable for use alongside appropriate concurrent therapies for congestive heart failure (e.g., furosemide).

SAFEHEART also delays the onset of congestive heart failure in dogs with Stage B2 preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), a form of chronic valvular heart disease.

Modified NYHA Classification for Dogs

• Class II: Signs like fatigue, shortness of breath, and coughing appear when exercise exceeds normal levels.
• Class III: Dogs remain comfortable at rest but have minimal exercise capacity.
• Class IV: Dogs cannot exercise and display disabling clinical signs even at rest.

Pimobendan dose for dogs

• Administer SAFEHEART orally at a total daily dose of 0.23 mg/lb (0.5 mg/kg) body weight.
• Divide the total daily dose into two portions, approximately 12 hours apart (morning and evening).
• Adjust the dosage to the nearest half-tablet using a suitable combination of whole or half tablets.

Contraindications

• Do not use SAFEHEART in dogs with:
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
  • Aortic stenosis.
  • Clinical conditions where increasing cardiac output is inappropriate for functional or anatomical reasons.

Warnings for Pimobendan for dogs

Specific to Dogs

• Administer SAFEHEART only to dogs with clinical signs of heart failure.
• At 3 and 5 times the recommended dosage for six months, pimobendan caused exaggerated hemodynamic responses in healthy dog hearts, leading to cardiac pathology.

Human Safety

• Do not use SAFEHEART in humans.
• Keep this medication out of children’s reach.
• Consult a doctor immediately if accidentally ingested by humans.

Precautions

• Do not use SAFEHEART in dogs with:
  • Asymptomatic heart disease.
  • Heart failure caused by conditions other than AVVI or DCM.
• SAFEHEART’s safety has not been evaluated in:
  • Puppies younger than six months.
  • Dogs with congenital heart defects.
  • Dogs with diabetes or other metabolic diseases.
  • Breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs.

Drug Interactions

Pimobendan for dogs can be safely used with:

• Furosemide, digoxin, enalapril, atenolol, spironolactone, nitroglycerin, hydralazine, and diltiazem.
• Antiparasitic treatments, including heartworm prevention.
• Antibiotics like metronidazole, cephalexin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and fluoroquinolones.
• Topical ophthalmic and otic products.
• Famotidine, theophylline, levothyroxine sodium, diphenhydramine, hydrocodone, metoclopramide, and butorphanol.
• Sodium-restricted diets.

Adverse Reactions

Reported side effects include:

• Poor appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, and weakness.
• Dyspnea, azotemia, ataxia, pleural effusion, and syncope.
• Cough, sudden death, ascites, and heart murmur.

Storage Pimobendan for dogs

• Store at 20°C to 25°C, with excursions allowed between 15°C and 30°C.

Caution

• Use SAFEHEART only as a cardiac medication for oral administration in dogs.
• Keep out of children’s reach.