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Pimobendan

Detailed information about Pimobendan

Official label facts Owner quick guide first Marketing clearly labeled
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Pet Owner Quick Guide

Start here: what this medicine is for, what it does, and when it's usually needed.

Usually used for:

For the delay of onset of congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs with Stage B2 preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Stage B2 preclinical MMVD refers to dogs with asymptomatic MMVD that have a moderate or l...

What it does:

Inodilator used for certain forms of canine heart failure (e.g., myxomatous mitral valve disease, dilated cardiomyopathy).

When it's needed:

Not for use in conditions where increased cardiac output is not appropriate (consult cardiology guidance).

Call your vet sooner if you notice:

  • Not for use in conditions where increased cardiac output is not appropriate (consult cardiology guidance).

Commonly reported reactions:

  • (2 reports)
  • (2 reports)
  • (2 reports)

What to ask your vet today:

  • Is this medicine the right fit for my pet’s current symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should call back right away?
  • How should I handle missed doses or refusal to take the medicine?
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Image for Pimobendan

Pimobendan

Drug type: Generic ingredient • Branded profile FDA branded products available

Species: Dog

Manufacturer: MSK

Quick Facts

Official label facts first, then secondary summaries. Marketing content is separated below.

Species: Dog
Manufacturer: MSK
Form: Chewable Tablets, Solution, Tablet (Chewable)
Identifiers:
ANADA: 200728 NADA: 141273 NADA: 141575 NDC Package: 0010-4131-01 NDC Package: 0010-4479-01 NDC Package: 0010-4480-01 NDC Package: 0010-4481-01 NDC Package: 0010-4482-01 NDC Package: 0010-4610-01 NDC Package: 0010-4612-01 NDC Package: 13612-0034-0 NDC Package: 13612-0034-1 NDC Package: 46144-606-01 NDC Package: 49452-5072-1 NDC Package: 49452-5072-2 NDC Package: 49452-5072-3 NDC Package: 49452-5072-4 NDC Package: 58597-8444-2 NDC Package: 58597-8444-4 NDC Package: 62157-620-01
Source metadata:

Warnings / Contraindications

Not for use in conditions where increased cardiac output is not appropriate (consult cardiology guidance).

  • High: Not for use in conditions where increased cardiac output is not appropriate (consult cardiology guidance).
Source metadata:

Adverse Reactions

Snapshot first, detailed rows second. This section summarizes signal data and is not a diagnosis.

Tap or hover a reaction to see what it means in plain language.

Tracked signals
32
Reported cases
32
Serious reports
29
Species represented
2
Most Reported Reactions
Reaction Cases Species Serious cases
2 Cat, Dog 2
2 Cat, Dog 2
2 Cat, Dog 1
1 Dog 1
1 Dog 1
1 Dog 1
1 Cat 1
1 Cat 1

Species coverage: Cat (16) Dog (16)

View detailed reaction table
Reaction Species Seriousness Frequency Reports
Cat Non-serious - 1
Cat Non-serious - 1
Dog Serious - 1
Dog Serious - 1
Cat Serious - 1
Cat Serious - 1
Dog Serious - 1
Dog Serious - 1
Cat Serious - 1
Dog Serious - 1
Dog Serious - 1
Cat Serious - 1
Cat Serious - 1
Cat Serious - 1
Dog Serious - 1
Dog Serious - 1
Cat Serious - 1
Cat Serious - 1
Dog Serious - 1
Cat Serious - 1
Cat Serious - 1
Dog Non-serious - 1
Cat Serious - 1
Dog Serious - 1
Dog Serious - 1
Dog Serious - 1
Cat Serious - 1
Cat Serious - 1
Cat Serious - 1
Dog Serious - 1
Dog Serious - 1
Dog Serious - 1
Source metadata:

Storage & Handling

Store at room temperature.

Source metadata: No source yet.

Promotional Materials (Marketing)

This content is marketing material and not clinical guidance.

No marketing assets are linked yet.

No source yet.

Source metadata: No source yet.
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Technical appendix (vet reference)

Canonical medication sections are above. This legacy block remains available for deeper cross-reference without cluttering the primary workflow.

At a Glance

Quick facts and links to official labeling and safety signals.

Data freshness
  • Medication catalog: Source PetWisePlus | Refreshed Feb 12, 2026, 7:40 PM UTC
  • Animal Drugs @ FDA: Source FDA | Refreshed Feb 16, 2026, 11:00 AM UTC
    Applications/products are imported from FDA export data.
  • Animal Drugs @ FDA previews: Source FDA | Refreshed Feb 9, 2026, 3:05 AM UTC
    Label highlights/doc links are fetched from FDA preview endpoints.
  • Animal Drug Product Listing Directory (NDC): Source FDA | Refreshed Feb 16, 2026, 11:00 AM UTC
    Package/product NDCs from FDA’s electronic listing directory (XLS).
  • openFDA reaction terms: Source FDA openFDA | Refreshed Feb 16, 2026, 11:01 AM UTC
  • openFDA case summaries: Source FDA openFDA | Refreshed Feb 12, 2026, 10:41 PM UTC
Official (FDA)
Identity: Generic ingredient • FDA branded products available
Official FDA brands: Pimomedin™ Vetmedin® Vetmedin® Solution
Case-reported brands (openFDA): MSK
Catalog species: Dog FDA-labeled species: Dog
Rx/OTC: RX
Form/route: Chewable Tablets, Solution, Tablet (Chewable) Oral
Applications: NADA 141-575 • NADA 141-273 • ANADA 200-728
Documents: 5 (FOI: 5) • SPL: 3 Label highlights Official documents
Safety (openFDA)
Top reactions: Dog 56 Cat 14 View
Case summaries: 11 (showing 8) View
openFDA reports are unverified and do not prove causation.

Explore
Linked using: Fda_Label (0.95), Fda_Label (0.95)

Diagnosis Codes

Diagnosis-code mappings are not available for this medication yet.

Counseling and Monitoring Highlights

Global Pet owner/Vet mode is controlled in the header. This section avoids duplicate in-page persona tabs.

Owner-facing counseling points
  • Not for use in conditions where increased cardiac output is not appropriate (consult cardiology guidance). (Contraindication, High)
Top reaction signals
Agitation (1) Anorexia (1) Anorexia (1) Ataxia (1) Collapse NOS (see also Cardio-vascular and Neurological disorders) (1) Conjunctivitis (1) Corneal ulcer (1) Cough (1) Death by euthanasia (1) Decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or creatinine (1) Dehydration (1) Diarrhoea (1) Ear twitching (1) Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (1) Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (1) Elevated creatinine (1)

Identifiers & Packages

Normalized identifiers (NDC/NADA/ANADA) and package metadata from regulator listings.

Identifiers
ANADA: 200728 NADA: 141273 NADA: 141575 NDC Package: 0010-4131-01 NDC Package: 0010-4479-01 NDC Package: 0010-4480-01 NDC Package: 0010-4481-01 NDC Package: 0010-4482-01 NDC Package: 0010-4610-01 NDC Package: 0010-4612-01 NDC Package: 13612-0034-0 NDC Package: 13612-0034-1 NDC Package: 46144-606-01 NDC Package: 49452-5072-1 NDC Package: 49452-5072-2 NDC Package: 49452-5072-3 NDC Package: 49452-5072-4 NDC Package: 58597-8444-2 NDC Package: 58597-8444-4 NDC Package: 62157-620-01 NDC Package: 62157-649-01 NDC Package: 62157-654-01 NDC Package: 62157-662-01 NDC Package: 62157-727-01
Package NDC Product NDC Form / Route Status
0010-4131-01 0010 -
0010-4479-01 0010 -
0010-4480-01 0010 -
0010-4481-01 0010 -
0010-4482-01 0010 -
0010-4610-01 0010 -
0010-4612-01 0010 -
13612-0034-0 13612 -
13612-0034-1 13612 -
46144-606-01 46144 -
49452-5072-1 49452 -
49452-5072-2 49452 -
49452-5072-3 49452 -
49452-5072-4 49452 -
58597-8444-2 58597 -
58597-8444-4 58597 -
62157-620-01 62157 -
62157-649-01 62157 -
62157-654-01 62157 -
62157-662-01 62157 -

Enriched Documents

Documents are tiered by source trust: Official, Clinical, Manufacturer, Marketing.

Data Sources & Revision History

Every non-trivial field is expected to include provenance and update timestamps.

Official 8 Clinical 2 Manufacturer 0 Marketing 0
Current Field Facts
  • overdose_info: Overdose may lead to severe tachycardia, hypotension, arrhythmias, or collapse. Supportive and critical care is recommended. (Clinical, 2026-02-12)
  • storage_handling: Store at room temperature. (Clinical, 2026-02-12)
  • contraindications: Not for use in conditions where increased cardiac output is not appropriate (consult cardiology guidance). (Official, 2026-02-12)
  • side_effects: GI upset, increased heart rate, lethargy. (Official, 2026-02-12)
  • usage: Inodilator used for certain forms of canine heart failure (e.g., myxomatous mitral valve disease, dilated cardiomyopathy). (Official, 2026-02-12)
Recent Revisions
  • side_effects updated 2026-02-12 19:40 by etl_backfill • Backfilled from existing medication fields
  • contraindications updated 2026-02-12 19:40 by etl_backfill • Backfilled from existing medication fields
  • usage updated 2026-02-12 19:40 by etl_backfill • Backfilled from existing medication fields

FDA Products & Applications (Animal Drugs @ FDA)

Official sponsor/proprietary-name/application-status records linked by active ingredient.

Product Sponsor Application Status Published
Vetmedin® Solution
RX
Pimobendan
Solution Oral
Boehringer lngelheim Animal Health USA, Inc. NADA 141-575 Approved Feb 2, 2026
Vetmedin®
RX
Pimobendan
Tablet (Chewable) Oral
Boehringer lngelheim Animal Health USA, Inc. NADA 141-273 Approved Jan 5, 2026
Pimomedin™
RX
Pimobendan
Chewable Tablets Oral
Cronus Pharma Specialities India Private Ltd. ANADA 200-728 Approved May 1, 2024

Data source: FDA Animal Drugs @ FDA (public search export).

What It's For (FDA Label Highlights)

Extracted from FDA Animal Drugs @ FDA product labeling. Always confirm details with your veterinarian.

Species: Dog, No Use Class Stated Or Implied
Composition / specifications
1.5 mg/mL
Dogs
Indication

For the delay of onset of congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs with Stage B2 preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Stage B2 preclinical MMVD refers to dogs with asymptomatic MMVD that have a moderate or loud mitral murmur due to mitral regurgitation and cardiomegaly.
For the management of the signs of mild, moderate, or severe CHF in dogs due to clinical MMVD or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). For use with concurrent therapy for CHF (e.g., furosemide, etc.) as appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

Dosage

Administer orally at a total daily dose of 0.23 mg/lb (0.5 mg/kg) body weight. The total daily dose should be divided into 2 equal portions administered approximately 12 hours apart (i.e., morning and evening).

Limitations

FDA page: Open in Animal Drugs @ FDA

Species: Dog, No Use Class Stated Or Implied
Composition / specifications
Each chewable tablet contains 1.25, 2.5, 5, or 10 milligrams (mg) pimobendan.
Dogs
Indication

Vetmedin® is indicated for the delay of onset of congestive heart failure in dogs with Stage B2 preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease. Stage B2 preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) refers to dogs with asymptomatic MMVD that have a moderate or loud mitral murmur due to mitral regurgitation and cardiomegaly.
For the management of the signs of mild, moderate, or severe congestive heart failure in dogs due to clinical MMVD or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM); for use with concurrent therapy for congestive heart failure (e.g., furosemide, etc.) as appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

Dosage

Administer 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.

Limitations

FDA page: Open in Animal Drugs @ FDA

Species: Dog, No Use Class Stated Or Implied
Composition / specifications
1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg pimobendan per tablet
Dogs
Indication

For the management of the signs of mild, moderate, or severe congestive heart failure in dogs due to clinical myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM); for use with concurrent therapy for congestive heart failure (e.g., furosemide, etc.) as appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

Dosage

Administer 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).

Limitations

FDA page: Open in Animal Drugs @ FDA

Official Documents (FDA)

Direct links to FDA-hosted PDFs and SPL packages (when available).

Documents
  • Summary

    This supplement provides for the addition of the indication for the delay of onset of congestive heart failure in dogs with Stage B2 preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Stage B2 preclinical MMVD refers to dogs with asymptomatic MMVD that have a moderate or loud mitral murmur due to mitral regurgitation and cardiomegaly.

  • Summary

    For the management of the signs of mild, moderate, or severe congestive heart failure in dogs due to clinical myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM); for use with concurrent therapy for congestive heart failure (e.g., furosemide, etc.) as appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

SPL Packages

FDA page: Open in Animal Drugs @ FDA

Documents
  • Summary

    This supplement provides for the addition of the indication for the delay of onset of congestive heart failure in dogs with Stage B2 preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease. Stage B2 preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) refers to dogs with asymptomatic MMVD that have a moderate or loud mitral murmur due to mitral regurgitation and cardiomegaly.

  • Summary

    VETMEDIN (pimobendan) is indicated for the management of the signs of mild, moderate, or severe (modified NYHA Class IIa, IIIb, or IVc) congestive heart failure in dogs due to atrioventricular valvular insufficiency (AVVI) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). VETMEDIN is indicated for use with concurrent therapy for congestive heart failure (e.g., furosemide, etc.) as appropriate on a case-by-case basis. a A dog with modified New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II heart failure has fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing, etc. apparent when ordinary exercise is exceeded.
    b A dog with modified NYHA Class III heart failure is comfortable at rest, but exercise capacity is minimal.
    c A dog with modified NYHA Class IV heart failure has no capacity for exercise and disabling clinical signs are present even at rest.

SPL Packages

FDA page: Open in Animal Drugs @ FDA

Documents
  • Summary

    For the management of the signs of mild, moderate, or severe congestive heart failure in dogs due to clinical myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM); for use with concurrent therapy for congestive heart failure (e.g., furosemide, etc.) as appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

SPL Packages

FDA page: Open in Animal Drugs @ FDA

Usage

Inodilator used for certain forms of canine heart failure (e.g., myxomatous mitral valve disease, dilated cardiomyopathy).

Source: FDA Animal Drugs @ FDA • Reference

Contraindications

Not for use in conditions where increased cardiac output is not appropriate (consult cardiology guidance).

Side Effects

GI upset, increased heart rate, lethargy.

Source: FDA openFDA • Reference

Top Reported Reactions (openFDA)

Aggregated reaction terms from FDA openFDA reports (not verified; does not prove causation).

Dog
Digestive
Vomiting (620) Diarrhea (543) Vomiting (6) Vomiting (6) Vomiting (6) Vomiting (6) Vomiting (6) Vomiting (5) Diarrhea (4) Diarrhea (4) Diarrhea (4) Diarrhea (4) Diarrhea (4) Diarrhea (4)
Neurologic
Tiredness (lethargy) (320) Tiredness (lethargy) (172) Seizure NOS (167) Tiredness (lethargy) (9) Tiredness (lethargy) (9) Tiredness (lethargy) (9) Tiredness (lethargy) (9) Tiredness (lethargy) (9) Tiredness (lethargy) (9)
Effectiveness
Lack of efficacy - NOS (4) Lack of efficacy - NOS (4) Lack of efficacy - NOS (4) Lack of efficacy - NOS (4) Lack of efficacy - NOS (4) Lack of efficacy - NOS (4)
Other
Death (240) Death by euthanasia (213) Cough (210) Death by euthanasia (6) Death by euthanasia (6) Death by euthanasia (6) Death by euthanasia (6) Death by euthanasia (6) Death by euthanasia (6) Cough (4) Cough (4) Cough (4) Cough (4) Cough (4) Cough (4) Elevated blood urea nitrogen (4) Elevated blood urea nitrogen (4) Elevated blood urea nitrogen (4) Elevated blood urea nitrogen (4) Elevated blood urea nitrogen (4) Elevated blood urea nitrogen (4) Pacing (4) Pacing (4) Pacing (4) Pacing (4) Elevated creatinine (3) Elevated creatinine (3)
Cat
Digestive
Vomiting (13) Loss of appetite (6) Loss of appetite (1) Loss of appetite (1) Loss of appetite (1) Loss of appetite (1) Loss of appetite (1) Loss of appetite (1)
Neurologic
Tiredness (lethargy) (8)
Other
Death by euthanasia (10) Death (9) Weight loss (6) Open mouth breathing (5) Anaemia NOS (4)

Data source: FDA openFDA Animal & Veterinary adverse event reports.

Adverse Event Case Summaries (openFDA)

These are individual FDA adverse event reports. They are unverified and do not prove the medication caused the reaction.

Dog, Chihuahua, Female, 16 year, 3.12 kilogram • Drug: MSK, Unknown • Reactions: Reduced responses, Elevated creatinine, Corneal ulcer, Sleepiness - systemic disorder, Elevated blood urea nitrogen… • Outcome: Ongoing

  • Report ID: USA-USFDACVM-2025-US-055817
  • Serious AE: Yes
  • Treated For AE: Yes
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: 16.00 Year
  • Weight: 3.120 Kilogram
  • Case-reported brand: MSK
  • Case-reported manufacturer: MSK
  • Route: Unknown
Reactions Reported:
Reduced responses Elevated creatinine Corneal ulcer Sleepiness - systemic disorder Elevated blood urea nitrogen Lack of efficacy - NOS Hyperphosphataemia
Outcomes: Ongoing

Dog, Chihuahua, Female, 12.2 year, 3.901 kilogram • Drug: MSK, Unassigned, Oral • Reactions: Vomiting, Underdose, Hypothermia, Unsteady walking (ataxia), Dehydration… • Outcome: Ongoing

  • Report ID: USA-USFDACVM-2025-US-054506
  • Serious AE: Yes
  • Treated For AE: Yes
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: 12.20 Year
  • Weight: 3.901 Kilogram
  • Case-reported brand: MSK
  • Case-reported manufacturer: MSK
  • Route: Oral
  • Form: Unassigned
Reactions Reported:
Vomiting Underdose Hypothermia Unsteady walking (ataxia) Dehydration Tiredness (lethargy) Loss of appetite Leucocytosis NOS Neutrophilia Increased band neutrophilia Monocytosis Thrombocytosis Elevated blood urea nitrogen Decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or creatinine Other abnormal test result NOS
Outcomes: Ongoing

Dog, ['Dachshund (unspecified)', 'Chihuahua'], Female, 15 year, 5.171 kilogram • Drug: MSK, Solution, Unknown • Reactions: Vomiting • Outcome: Recovered/Normal

  • Report ID: USA-USFDACVM-2025-US-056158
  • Serious AE: No
  • Treated For AE: No
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: 15.00 Year
  • Weight: 5.171 Kilogram
  • Case-reported brand: MSK
  • Case-reported manufacturer: MSK
  • Route: Unknown
  • Form: Solution
Reactions Reported:
Vomiting
Outcomes: Recovered/Normal

Dog, Spaniel - King Charles Cavalier, Female, 11 year, 10.795 kilogram • Drug: MSK, Tablet, chewable, Oral, Dose: 0.23 Milligram per kilogram, Frequency: 12 per hour • Reactions: Cough, Tachypnoea, Found dead • Outcome: Died

  • Report ID: USA-USFDACVM-2025-US-055870
  • Serious AE: Yes
  • Treated For AE: No
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: 11.00 Year
  • Weight: 10.795 Kilogram
  • Case-reported brand: MSK
  • Case-reported manufacturer: MSK
  • Route: Oral
  • Form: Tablet, chewable
  • Dose: 0.23 Milligram per kilogram
  • Frequency: 12 per hour
Reactions Reported:
Cough Tachypnoea Found dead
Outcomes: Died

Dog, Dog (unknown), Unknown, 16 year • Drug: MSK, Tablet, chewable, Oral, Frequency: 1 per day • Reactions: Loose stool • Outcome: Outcome Unknown

  • Report ID: USA-USFDACVM-2025-US-055593
  • Serious AE: No
  • Treated For AE: Yes
  • Sex: Unknown
  • Age: 16.00 Year
  • Case-reported brand: MSK
  • Case-reported manufacturer: MSK
  • Route: Oral
  • Form: Tablet, chewable
  • Frequency: 1 per day
Reactions Reported:
Loose stool
Outcomes: Outcome Unknown

Dog, Dachshund (unspecified), Female, 14.5 year, 8.618 kilogram • Drug: MSK, Unassigned, Oral • Reactions: Head tremor, Overdose • Outcome: Ongoing

  • Report ID: USA-USFDACVM-2025-US-053701
  • Serious AE: No
  • Treated For AE: No
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: 14.50 Year
  • Weight: 8.618 Kilogram
  • Case-reported brand: MSK
  • Case-reported manufacturer: MSK
  • Route: Oral
  • Form: Unassigned
Reactions Reported:
Head tremor Overdose
Outcomes: Ongoing

Cat, Domestic Shorthair, Female, 11 year, 7.893 kilogram • Drug: MSK, Solution, Oral, Dose: 0.25 Milligram per kilogram, Frequency: 12 per hour • Reactions: Loss of appetite • Outcome: Outcome Unknown

  • Report ID: USA-USFDACVM-2025-US-055587
  • Serious AE: No
  • Treated For AE: No
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: 11.00 Year
  • Weight: 7.893 Kilogram
  • Case-reported brand: MSK
  • Case-reported manufacturer: MSK
  • Route: Oral
  • Form: Solution
  • Dose: 0.25 Milligram per kilogram
  • Frequency: 12 per hour
Reactions Reported:
Loss of appetite
Outcomes: Outcome Unknown

Cat, Cat (unknown), Unknown • Drug: MSK, Tablet, chewable, Unknown • Reactions: Agitation, Palpitation • Outcome: Outcome Unknown

  • Report ID: USA-USFDACVM-2025-US-042089
  • Serious AE: No
  • Treated For AE: No
  • Sex: Unknown
  • Case-reported brand: MSK
  • Case-reported manufacturer: MSK
  • Route: Unknown
  • Form: Tablet, chewable
Reactions Reported:
Agitation Palpitation
Outcomes: Outcome Unknown

Data source: FDA openFDA Animal & Veterinary adverse event reports.

Overdose Information

Overdose may lead to severe tachycardia, hypotension, arrhythmias, or collapse. Supportive and critical care is recommended.

Storage & Handling

Store at room temperature.

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