Petmedin (Pimobendan 2.5mg) Tablets

Petmedin general information

What is Petmedin used for?

Petmedin tablets 2.5mg are used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs and are suitable for management of mild, moderate, or severe CHF.  Some dog breeds are more susceptible to CHF which is caused by dilated cardiomyopathy, when the heart muscle becomes weakened so that it does not pump efficiently and can lead enlarged heart and leaking valves; or atrioventricular valvular insufficiency, which is a mitral valve disease due to degeneration of the heart valves, causing them to become leaky.  Petmedin tablets 2.5mg can be used alone as monotherapy or in conjunction with other heart medications.  Symptoms of CHF in dogs includes reduced exercise tolerance, difficulty breathing and poor demeanour (signs of feeling unwell).  Petmedin tablets 2.5mg help improve a dog’s quality of life by reducing symptoms of CHF, which helps the dog to feel better and live longer. 

How does Petmedin work?

Petmedin tablets 2.5mg contain pimobendan that is used to to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs and works by two mechanisms; as a calcium sensitiser and as a vasodilator.  Pimobendan in Petmedin tablets 2.5mg has positive inotropic activity meaning that it acts directly on the heart muscle cells (myocytes) to increase the strength of muscular contraction of the heart.  Pimobendan in Petmedin tablets 2.5mg works a calcium sensitizer by making the myocytes more sensitive to calcium, which is needed for the cells to contract.  As a vasodilator, Pimobendan in Petmedin tablets 2.5mg acts on the blood vessels to and from the heart causing vasodilation (widening), which reduces the pressure and workload on the heart and helps it to pump more efficiently. 

What does Petmedin contain?

Petmedin tablets 2.5mg contain the active ingredient pimobendan that is used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs.

Treating heart failure in dogs with Petmedin

Petmedin contains pimobendan, a calcium sensitiser and vasodilator that is used to to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs.  Some dog breeds are more susceptible to CHF which is caused by dilated cardiomyopathy, when the heart muscle becomes weakened so that it does not pump efficiently and can lead enlarged heart and leaking valves; or atrioventricular valvular insufficiency, which is a mitral valve disease due to degeneration of the heart valves, causing them to become leaky.  Pimobendan in Petmedin tablets 2.5mg acts directly on the heart muscle cells (myocytes) to increase the strength of muscular contraction of the heart, and works as a calcium sensitiser by making the myocytes more sensitive to calcium, which is needed for the cells to contract.  Pimobendan in Petmedin tablets 2.5mg acts also acts as a vasodilator resulting in widening of blood vessels to and from the heart, which reduces the pressure and workload on the heart and helps it to pump more efficiently.  Petmedin tablets 2.5mg can be used alone or with other heart medications to relieve symptoms of CHF including reduced exercise tolerance, difficulty breathing and poor demeanour (signs of feeling unwell), to help improve a dog’s quality of life and their chances to live longer. 

What are the side effects of Petmedin?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Petmedin tablets 2.5mg include poor appetite, lethargy, diarrhoea, shortness of breath (dyspnea), weakness, impaired balance and coordination (ataxia), fainting.

When should Petmedin not be used?

You should not give Petmedin tablets 2.5mg to your dog if your dog:

• is allergic to pimobendan or any ingredients in Petmedin
• is pregnant or lactating
• is younger than 6 months old
• does not have clinical evidence of heart failure
• has a congenital heart disease
• has diabetes or another serious metabolic disease

How should Petmedin be given?

You should give Petmedin tablets 2.5mg orally to your dog twice a day, morning and evening, with approximately 12 hours between doses.  The dose you give your dog should be as recommended by your vet and is usually 0.5mg/kg (0.23mg/lb) bodyweight per day.  You should see an improvement in your dog’s health within a week but you should continue to give Petmedin tablets 2.5mg to your dog as long as is recommended by your veterinarian, which may be for the rest of your dog’s life.  Your vet may also recommend other drugs for treating heart failure as well as Petmedin tablets 2.5mg, as there are no interactions between these drugs. 

How long should you give Petmedin?

You should see an improvement in your dog’s health within a week but you should continue to give Petmedin tablets 2.5mg to your dog as long as is recommended by your veterinarian, which may be for the rest of your dog’s life. 

Missed dose of Petmedin

If you miss a dose of Petmedin tablets 2.5mg give it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not give a double dose.

How should Petmedin be stored?

You should store your Petmedin tablets 2.5mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.