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POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Vetmedin Chew 1.25 mg Chewable Tablets for Dogs

Active ingredient: Pimobendan

Form

Chewable

Species

Dogs

Manufacturer

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Limited

VMD MA No.

08327/5031

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 Chew 1.25 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).
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.
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.
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.

Revised: October 2024
AN: 02394/2023
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the
excipients.
Dogs:
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000
animals treated):
- Vomiting
, diarrhoea
- Anorexia
, lethargy
- Increased heart rate
1,3
,

increase in mitral
valve regurgitation
Very rare
(< 1 animal / 10,000
animals treated, including
isolated reports):
- Mucosa petechiae
, haemorrhage
(subcutaneous)
These effects are dose-dependent and can be avoided by reducing the
dose.
Transient
Due to a slight positively chronotropic effect.
Observed during chronic pimobendan treatment in dogs with mitral valve
disease.
A relationship with pimobendan has not been clearly established, signs
disappear when the treatment is withdrawn.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring
of a veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a
veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or its local
representative or the national competent authority via the national reporting
system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.
The veterinary medicinal product has not been tested in cases of
asymptomatic DCM in Dobermans with atrial fibrillation or sustained ventricular
tachycardia.
The veterinary medicinal 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 ≥
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.
Monitoring of cardiac function and morphology is recommended in animals
treated with pimobendan.
The chewable tablets are flavoured. In order to avoid any accidental ingestion,
store tablets out of reach of animals.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary
medicinal product to animals:
Wash hands after use.
To avoid accidental ingestion of the veterinary medicinal product by a child,
divided or unused tablets should be returned to the open blister pocket and
placed back in the cardboard box.
In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the
package leaflet or the label to the physician.
Advice to doctors: accidental ingestion, especially by a child, may lead to the
occurrence of tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, flushing of the face and
headaches.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.

Revised: October 2024
AN: 02394/2023
Other precautions:
Not applicable.
In pharmacological studies no interaction between the cardiac glycoside
ouabain (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.

Revised: October 2024
AN: 02394/2023
Do not store above 25°C.
Divided tablets should be returned to the open blister pocket and placed back
in the cardboard box.
Not applicable.
5.

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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