Also Known as Vetmedin
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A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, consumption method, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug and works in the same way and in the same amount of time in the body.
The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is that generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (eg. different shape or color), as trademarks laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.
Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to develop a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name and sell it at a substantial discount.
Vetmedin (pimobendan) is supplied as oblong half-scored chewable tablets containing 1.25 or 5 mg pimobendan per tablet. Pimobendan, a benzimidazole-pyridazinone derivative, is a non-sympathomimetic, non-glycoside inotropic drug with vasodilatative properties. Pimobendan exerts a stimulatory myocardial effect by a dual mechanism of action consisting of an increase in calcium sensitivity of cardiac myofilaments and inhibition of phosphodiesterase (Type III). Pimobendan exhibits vasodilating activity by inhibiting phosphodiesterase III activity.
Vetmedin should be administered orally at a total daily dose of 0.23 mg/lb (0.5 mg/kg) body weight, using a suitable combination of whole or half tablets. The total daily dose should be divided into 2 portions that are not necessarily equal, and the portions should be administered approximately 12 hours apart (i.e., morning and evening). The tablets are scored and the calculated dosage should be provided to the nearest half tablet increment.
Weight lbs | Daily Dosage (mg) | # of pills per day 1.25mg | Administer (AM then PM) |
5.5lbs(2.5kg) | 1.25mg | 1 | ½ a pill every 12 hours |
8.25bs(3.75kg) | 1.875mg | 1.5 | 1 pill and then a ½ every 12 hours |
11lbs(5kg) | 2.50mg | 2 | 1 pill every 12 hours |
16.5lbs(7.5kg) | 3.75mg | 3 | 1 and ½ pills every 12 hours |
22lbs (10kg) | 5.06mg | 4 | 2 pills every 12 hours |
Weight lbs | Daily Dosage (mg) | # of pills per day 1.25mg | Administer (AM then PM) |
22lbs(10kg) | 5.06mg | 1 | ½ a pill every 12 hours |
33lbs(15kg) | 7.59mg | 1.5 | 1 pill and then a ½ every 12 hours |
44lbs(20kg) | 10.12mg | 2 | 1 pill every 12 hours |
66lbs(30kg) | 15.18mg | 3 | 1 and ½ pills every 12 hours |
88lbs(40kg) | 20.24mg | 4 | 2 pills every 12 hours |
The chemical name of pimobendan is 4,5-dihydro-6-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-yl]-5-methyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone.
Only for use in dogs with clinical evidence of heart failure. At 3 and 5 times the recommended dosage, administered over a 6-month period of time, pimobendan caused an exaggerated hemodynamic response in the normal dog heart, which was associated with cardiac pathology
The most common side effects reported in field studies were poor appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, dyspnea, azotemia, weakness and ataxia. If side effects should occur, pet owners should contact their veterinarian.