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POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Vetmedin 10 mg Chewable Tablets for Dogs

Active ingredient: Pimobendan

Form

Chewable

Species

Dogs

Manufacturer

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Limited

VMD MA No.

08327/5021

What it's used for

For the treatment of canine congestive heart failure originating from dilated cardiomyopathy or valvular insufficiency (mitral and/or tricuspid valve regur...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓
View official SPC (PDF)

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Paying less for Pimobendan

  1. 1

    Ask your vet for a written prescription

    They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.

  2. 2

    Fill it at a registered online retailer

    The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Vetmedin 10 mg Chewable Tablets for Dogs — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 26 Mar 2026.

For the treatment of canine congestive heart failure originating from dilated
cardiomyopathy or valvular insufficiency (mitral and/or tricuspid valve regurgitation)
(See also section 4.9).
For the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy in the preclinical stage (asymptomatic
with an increase in left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic diameter) in
Doberman Pinschers following echocardiographic diagnosis of cardiac disease (see
section 4.4 and 4.5).
For the treatment of dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in the
preclinical stage (asymptomatic with a systolic mitral murmur and evidence of
increased heart size) to delay the onset of clinical symptoms of heart failure (see
section 4.4 and 4.5).

Revised: March 2024
Divergence from NI MA following AN: 00447/2023Page 2 of 7
Do not exceed the recommended dosage.
Determine the bodyweight accurately before treatment to ensure correct dosage.
The dose should be orally administered and within the dose range of 0.2 mg to
0.6 mg pimobendan/kg bodyweight, divided into two daily doses. The preferable daily
dose is 0.5 mg/kg bodyweight, divided into two daily doses (0.25 mg/kg bodyweight
each). Each dose should be given approximately 1 hour before feeding.
This corresponds to:
One 10 mg chewable tablet in the morning and one 10 mg chewable tablet in the
evening for a body weight of 40 kg.

Revised: March 2024
Divergence from NI MA following AN: 00447/2023Page 4 of 7
Chewable tablets can be halved at the score line provided, for dosage accuracy,
according to the bodyweight.
The product may be combined with a diuretic, e.g. furosemide.
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 4.7).
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.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reactions)
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated
reports).
The product has not been tested in cases of asymptomatic DCM in Dobermans with
atrial fibrillation or sustained ventricular tachycardia.
The product has not been tested in cases of asymptomatic myxomatous mitral valve
disease in dogs with significant supraventricular and/or ventricular tachyarrhythmia.

Special precautions for use in animals
The blood glucose should be tested regularly during treatment in dogs with existing
diabetes mellitus.
For use in the preclinical stage of dilated cardiomyopathy (asymptomatic with an
increase in left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic diameter), a diagnosis
should be made by means of a comprehensive cardiac examination (incl.
echocardiographic examination and possibly Holter monitoring).
For use in the preclinical stage of myxomatous mitral valve disease (stage B2,
according to ACVIM consensus: asymptomatic with mitral murmur ≥3/6
cardiomegaly due to myxomatous mitral valve disease), a diagnosis should be made
by means of a comprehensive physical and cardiac examination which should
include echocardiography or radiography where appropriate. (See also section 5.1).
Monitoring of cardiac function and morphology is recommended in animals treated
with pimobendan.
(See also section 4.6).
The chewable tablets are flavoured. In order to avoid any accidental ingestion, store
tablets out of reach of the animals.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the
package leaflet or the label to the physician.
Wash hands after use.
Advice to doctors: accidental ingestion, especially by a child, may lead to the
occurrence of tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, flushing of the face and
headaches.
Close bottle tightly with cap directly after removal of the required number of tablets.

Revised: March 2024
Divergence from NI MA following AN: 00447/2023Page 3 of 7
In pharmacological studies no interaction between the cardiac glycoside 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.
Keep the bottle tightly closed in order to protect from moisture.
Monitoring of cardiac function and morphology is recommended in animals treated
with pimobendan.
(See also section 4.6).
The chewable tablets are flavoured. In order to avoid any accidental ingestion, store
tablets out of reach of the animals.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the
package leaflet or the label to the physician.
Wash hands after use.
Advice to doctors: accidental ingestion, especially by a child, may lead to the
occurrence of tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, flushing of the face and
headaches.
Close bottle tightly with cap directly after removal of the required number of tablets.

Revised: March 2024
Divergence from NI MA following AN: 00447/2023Page 3 of 7
4.6 Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)
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.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reactions)
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated
reports).
4.7 Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
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.
4.8 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
In

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.

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