KA/EN
Register
Medicines reference
Search
Search
Active substance

Pimobendan

Favourites

Inodilator (PDE3 inhibitor / Ca sensitiser). Registered in Georgia: 3 veterinary products. Forms: chewable tablet, solution.

Dose and use

Doses

Each dose comes with its source. Check the label of the product you use.

Active substance Pimobendan
Dose calculatorCalculates the active-substance amount; it is not a prescription.
PatientSpecies and weight will be filled in automatically in other calculators.
Selected dose
Dose Species Indication Route Frequency Source
0.1–0.3 mg/kg Dog Maintenance By mouth 2 times daily
VMD SPC 2025
Official product label (SPC), VMD, UK
Approved by the UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) as part of the product's authorisation. It applies to that product as authorised there.
Vetmedin 1.5 mg/ml oral solution for dogs - Summary of Product Characteristics
UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, 2025
0.2–0.6 mg/kg Dog Maintenance By mouth total daily dose divided into 2 doses
Vetmedin 5 mg, VMD SPC 2024
Official product label (SPC), VMD, UK
Approved by the UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) as part of the product's authorisation. It applies to that product as authorised there.
Vetmedin 5 mg chewable tablets for dogs - Summary of Product Characteristics
UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, 2024
0.5 mg/kg Dog Maintenance By mouth total daily dose divided into 2 doses about 12 hours apart
FDA 2025
Official product label (SPC), FDA, US
Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as part of the product's authorisation. It applies to that product as authorised there.
VETMEDIN (pimobendan) Chewable Tablets - package insert
FDA (NADA 141-273), DailyMed, 2025
0.25–0.3 mg/kg Dog Maintenance By mouth 2 times daily
ACVIM 2019
Guideline or consensus statement
Recommendations agreed by a panel of veterinary specialists after reviewing the evidence. They guide practice and do not authorise a product.
ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2019
0.3 mg/kg
off-label
 Dog Congestive Heart Failure By mouth 3 times daily
ACVIM 2019
Guideline or consensus statement
Recommendations agreed by a panel of veterinary specialists after reviewing the evidence. They guide practice and do not authorise a product.
ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2019
0.15 mg/kg Dog Congestive Heart Failure
Emergency
 Intravenous once
Vetmedin 0.75 mg/ml, VMD SPC 2024
Official product label (SPC), VMD, UK
Approved by the UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) as part of the product's authorisation. It applies to that product as authorised there.
Vetmedin 0.75 mg/ml solution for injection for dogs - Summary of Product Characteristics
UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, 2024
0.25 mg/kg
off-label
 Cat Maintenance By mouth 2 times daily
Gordon et al. 2025
Scientific article
A study or review published in a scientific journal. Its findings apply to the animals and conditions it studied.
Use of pimobendan in cats: a practical evidence-based review
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2025
Before use

Safety information

Known Contraindications

  • Critical
    Do not use pimobendan in dogs with severe hepatic impairment because it is metabolised mainly by the liver.
    Sources: Vetmedin SPC
  • Critical
    Known hypersensitivity to pimobendan or any excipient is a contraindication.
  • Warning
    Do not use pimobendan in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, fixed ventricular outflow obstruction, aortic stenosis, or other disease in which cardiac output cannot increase for functional or anatomical reasons. Do not use it in dogs with stage A or B1 preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease.
    Sources: Vetmedin SPC
  • Caution
    Safety of pimobendan in diabetic dogs has not been established. If treatment is necessary, monitor blood glucose regularly.
    Sources: Vetmedin SPC
  • Caution
    Safety of pimobendan during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. High doses caused maternal and embryonic toxicity in laboratory studies; use only after an individual veterinary benefit-risk assessment.
    Sources: Vetmedin SPC
  • Caution
    Pimobendan is excreted in milk. During lactation, use only after an individual benefit-risk assessment.
    Sources: Vetmedin SPC

Known Drug Interactions

  • Minor warning Pimobendan + Amlodipine
    Beta-adrenergic blockers such as propranolol or atenolol and calcium-channel blockers such as verapamil or diltiazem can reduce the positive inotropic effect of pimobendan.
    Recommendation: Monitor clinical response.
    Sources: Vetmedin SPC
  • Minor warning Pimobendan + Atenolol
    Beta-adrenergic blockers such as propranolol or atenolol and calcium-channel blockers such as verapamil or diltiazem can reduce the positive inotropic effect of pimobendan.
    Recommendation: Monitor clinical response.
    Sources: Vetmedin SPC
Latin name
Pimobendan
Georgian name
პიმობენდანი
Authorisation status
Authorised veterinary medicine
An authorised veterinary medicine containing this substance exists. Whether a particular use is on-label depends on the species and the indication - see each dose rule.
Registered in Georgia
3 of 4 forms
Products
Vetmedin
Controlled in Georgia
No
Checked against the narcotics law, Annex 1, lists I-IV, and Order No. 22/n.
Verified on: 16 Oct 2026
All forms and registration4

Registration in Georgia and abroad: the register, number, validity and source are behind (i).

Vetmedin, Chewable tablet

Pimobendan 1.25 mg, chewable tablet for dogs
vetman assessment
vetman’s 10-point assessment brings together a product’s regulatory credibility, clinical efficacy, safety and practicality. Cost-effectiveness is assessed only when reliable data are available. It is informational and does not replace a veterinarian’s clinical judgment for an individual patient.
Dog
8.6/10
Very good
vetman assessment

Vetmedin

Pimobendan 1.25 mg, chewable tablet for dogs
Assessed clinical scopeDog · Labelled oral treatment of eligible canine preclinical MMVD/DCM and congestive heart failure due to MMVD, valvular insufficiency or DCM after cardiac diagnosis and staging · By mouth
Care settingLong-term veterinary-directed outpatient cardiac care with diagnostic confirmation and monitoring
vetman score 8.6/10 Very good
Evidence confidence: High Georgia: Yes, veterinary · № 170-11 · Verified on 21 Oct 2026

A strongly evidence-supported standard therapy for appropriately diagnosed and staged canine cardiac disease; presentation choice should match body weight and monitoring needs.

Regulatory and scientific credibility9.0/10

This exact strength has current European product information and active Georgian veterinary registration; the same branded chewable platform also has current FDA labelling and strong independent consensus support.

Clinical efficacy9.0/10

Pimobendan has strong guideline and regulatory support for correctly staged canine MMVD and DCM, including eligible preclinical disease and congestive failure; benefit depends on accurate diagnosis and stage.

Safety and tolerability8.0/10

The benefit-risk profile is well characterised, but outflow obstruction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, severe hepatic impairment and inappropriate early MMVD stages are hard stops, with additional monitoring in diabetes and reproduction.

Clinical practicality8.5/10

Twice-daily pre-feed administration is a lasting burden, but the palatable half-tablet presentation permits accurate dosing in small dogs.

Full-course cost-effectiveness-

Price was not assessed and is excluded from the overall score.

Important safety and use flags

  • Do not use in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, fixed outflow obstruction, aortic stenosis or other disease in which increasing cardiac output is inappropriate.
  • Do not use in severe hepatic impairment; do not treat stage A or B1 MMVD as though it were eligible B2 disease.
  • Beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers can attenuate the positive inotropic effect; monitor clinical response.
  • Use in diabetes, pregnancy or lactation only with appropriate monitoring and individual benefit-risk assessment.
Assessment sources
  1. EU UPD Vetmedin Chew2026
  2. FDA 20252025
  3. ACVIM 20192019
Assessed: 21 Oct 2026The overall score uses 25/25/25/15/10 weights. An unassessed price is excluded and the remaining weights are proportionally renormalised.
Composition / strength
Pimobendan1.25 mg
Formulation Type
Chewable tablet
Administration route
By mouth
Manufacturer
Lavet Pharmaceuticals Ltd · Hungary
Manufacturer (register)
Lavet Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Hungary
Manufacturer and country as in the veterinary medicines register (National Food Agency), row 1122, 19 Oct 2026.
Source: NFA veterinary medicines register ↗
Registration
Georgia Yes, veterinary
Veterinary (National Food Agency)
In the register: ვეტმედინი® საღეჭი 1.25 მგ საღეჭი ტაბლეტები ძაღლებისათვის
№ 170-11
Verified on: 21 Oct 2026
 EU Yes, veterinary
Verified on: 15 Oct 2026
 UK Yes, veterinary
Verified on: 15 Oct 2026
 US Yes, veterinary
№ NADA 141-273
Verified on: 15 Oct 2026
Controlled in Georgia
No
Checked against the narcotics law, Annex 1, lists I-IV, and Order No. 22/n.
Verified on: 16 Oct 2026

Vetmedin, Chewable tablet

Pimobendan 5 mg, chewable tablet for dogs
vetman assessment
vetman’s 10-point assessment brings together a product’s regulatory credibility, clinical efficacy, safety and practicality. Cost-effectiveness is assessed only when reliable data are available. It is informational and does not replace a veterinarian’s clinical judgment for an individual patient.
Dog
8.6/10
Very good
vetman assessment

Vetmedin

Pimobendan 5 mg, chewable tablet for dogs
Assessed clinical scopeDog · Labelled oral treatment of eligible canine preclinical MMVD/DCM and congestive heart failure due to MMVD, valvular insufficiency or DCM after cardiac diagnosis and staging · By mouth
Care settingLong-term veterinary-directed outpatient cardiac care with diagnostic confirmation and monitoring
vetman score 8.6/10 Very good
Evidence confidence: High Georgia: Yes, veterinary · № 124-11 · Verified on 15 Oct 2026

A strongly evidence-supported standard therapy for appropriately diagnosed and staged canine cardiac disease; presentation choice should match body weight and monitoring needs.

Regulatory and scientific credibility9.0/10

This exact strength has current European product information and active Georgian veterinary registration; the same branded chewable platform also has current FDA labelling and strong independent consensus support.

Clinical efficacy9.0/10

Pimobendan has strong guideline and regulatory support for correctly staged canine MMVD and DCM, including eligible preclinical disease and congestive failure; benefit depends on accurate diagnosis and stage.

Safety and tolerability8.0/10

The benefit-risk profile is well characterised, but outflow obstruction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, severe hepatic impairment and inappropriate early MMVD stages are hard stops, with additional monitoring in diabetes and reproduction.

Clinical practicality8.5/10

Twice-daily pre-feed administration is a lasting burden, but the palatable half-tablet presentation provides useful flexibility for many medium and large dogs.

Full-course cost-effectiveness-

Price was not assessed and is excluded from the overall score.

Important safety and use flags

  • Do not use in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, fixed outflow obstruction, aortic stenosis or other disease in which increasing cardiac output is inappropriate.
  • Do not use in severe hepatic impairment; do not treat stage A or B1 MMVD as though it were eligible B2 disease.
  • Beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers can attenuate the positive inotropic effect; monitor clinical response.
  • Use in diabetes, pregnancy or lactation only with appropriate monitoring and individual benefit-risk assessment.
Assessment sources
  1. Vetmedin 5 mg, VMD SPC 20242024
  2. FDA 20252025
  3. ACVIM 20192019
Assessed: 21 Oct 2026The overall score uses 25/25/25/15/10 weights. An unassessed price is excluded and the remaining weights are proportionally renormalised.
Composition / strength
Pimobendan5 mg
Formulation Type
Chewable tablet
Administration route
By mouth
Manufacturer
Boehringer Ingelheim · Germany
Manufacturer (register)
Lavet Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Hungary
Manufacturer and country as in the veterinary medicines register (National Food Agency), row 1085, 19 Oct 2026.
Source: NFA veterinary medicines register ↗
Registration
Georgia Yes, veterinary
Veterinary (National Food Agency)
In the register: ვეტმედინი® საღეჭი 5მგ საღეჭი ტაბლეტები ძაღლებისათვის
№ 124-11
Verified on: 15 Oct 2026
 EU Yes, veterinary
Verified on: 15 Oct 2026
 UK Yes, veterinary
Verified on: 15 Oct 2026
 US Yes, veterinary
№ NADA 141-273
Verified on: 15 Oct 2026
Controlled in Georgia
No
Checked against the narcotics law, Annex 1, lists I-IV, and Order No. 22/n.
Verified on: 16 Oct 2026

Vetmedin, Chewable tablet

Pimobendan 10 mg, chewable tablet for dogs
vetman assessment
vetman’s 10-point assessment brings together a product’s regulatory credibility, clinical efficacy, safety and practicality. Cost-effectiveness is assessed only when reliable data are available. It is informational and does not replace a veterinarian’s clinical judgment for an individual patient.
Dog
8.6/10
Very good
vetman assessment

Vetmedin

Pimobendan 10 mg, chewable tablet for dogs
Assessed clinical scopeDog · Labelled oral treatment of eligible canine preclinical MMVD/DCM and congestive heart failure due to MMVD, valvular insufficiency or DCM after cardiac diagnosis and staging · By mouth
Care settingLong-term veterinary-directed outpatient cardiac care with diagnostic confirmation and monitoring
vetman score 8.6/10 Very good
Evidence confidence: High Georgia: Yes, veterinary · № 171-11 · Verified on 19 Oct 2026

A strongly evidence-supported standard therapy for appropriately diagnosed and staged canine cardiac disease; presentation choice should match body weight and monitoring needs.

Regulatory and scientific credibility9.0/10

This exact strength has current European product information and active Georgian veterinary registration; the same branded chewable platform also has current FDA labelling and strong independent consensus support.

Clinical efficacy9.0/10

Pimobendan has strong guideline and regulatory support for correctly staged canine MMVD and DCM, including eligible preclinical disease and congestive failure; benefit depends on accurate diagnosis and stage.

Safety and tolerability8.0/10

The benefit-risk profile is well characterised, but outflow obstruction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, severe hepatic impairment and inappropriate early MMVD stages are hard stops, with additional monitoring in diabetes and reproduction.

Clinical practicality8.0/10

Twice-daily pre-feed administration is a lasting burden; the palatable 10 mg tablet is efficient for large dogs but half-tablet splitting is too coarse for smaller patients.

Full-course cost-effectiveness-

Price was not assessed and is excluded from the overall score.

Important safety and use flags

  • Do not use in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, fixed outflow obstruction, aortic stenosis or other disease in which increasing cardiac output is inappropriate.
  • Do not use in severe hepatic impairment; do not treat stage A or B1 MMVD as though it were eligible B2 disease.
  • Beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers can attenuate the positive inotropic effect; monitor clinical response.
  • Use in diabetes, pregnancy or lactation only with appropriate monitoring and individual benefit-risk assessment.
Assessment sources
  1. EU SPC2026
  2. FDA 20252025
  3. ACVIM 20192019
Assessed: 21 Oct 2026The overall score uses 25/25/25/15/10 weights. An unassessed price is excluded and the remaining weights are proportionally renormalised.
Composition / strength
Pimobendan10 mg
Formulation Type
Chewable tablet
Administration route
By mouth
Manufacturer
Lavet Pharmaceuticals Ltd · Hungary
Manufacturer (register)
Lavet Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Hungary
Manufacturer and country as in the veterinary medicines register (National Food Agency), row 1123, 19 Oct 2026.
Source: NFA veterinary medicines register ↗
Registration
Georgia Yes, veterinary
Veterinary (National Food Agency)
In the register: ვეტმედინი საღეჭი 10 მგ
№ 171-11
Verified on: 19 Oct 2026
Controlled in Georgia
No
Checked against the narcotics law, Annex 1, lists I-IV, and Order No. 22/n.
Verified on: 16 Oct 2026

Vetmedin 0.75 mg/ml, Solution

solution for injection for dogs
vetman assessment
vetman’s 10-point assessment brings together a product’s regulatory credibility, clinical efficacy, safety and practicality. Cost-effectiveness is assessed only when reliable data are available. It is informational and does not replace a veterinarian’s clinical judgment for an individual patient.
Dog
7.5/10
Good
vetman assessment

Vetmedin

0.75 mg/ml, solution for injection for dogs
Assessed clinical scopeDog · Single-dose IV initiation of treatment for canine CHF caused by valvular insufficiency or dilated cardiomyopathy · Intravenous
Care settingHospital treatment of acute/decompensated canine CHF with diagnosis, oxygen/diuresis and haemodynamic, respiratory and renal monitoring as indicated
vetman score 7.5/10 Good
Evidence confidence: Medium Georgia: No · Verified on 22 Oct 2026

A well-defined authorised rapid IV bridge for selected dogs with confirmed CHF. Its value is strongest in monitored hospital care, while the limited direct sick-dog outcome evidence and strict single-dose/oral-transition boundary prevent a higher score.

Regulatory and scientific credibility9.0/10

Exact current GB and European authorisations identify Vetmedin, Boehringer Ingelheim, 0.75 mg/ml, dog-only IV use, single-use packs and a transparent bioequivalent dossier.

Clinical efficacy6.5/10

The exact label, acute-CHF consensus and controlled IV studies support rapid favourable haemodynamics, but published injection studies are small, mainly in healthy anaesthetised dogs and lack direct acute-CHF patient outcome endpoints.

Safety and tolerability7.0/10

One-dose monitored use and rare labelled adverse events are favourable, but decompensated dogs have limited reserve; tachycardia, gastrointestinal signs, fixed outflow obstruction and whole-protocol haemodynamic/renal effects remain material.

Clinical practicality7.5/10

A precise 0.2 ml/kg one-time IV dose and no special storage fit emergency hospital care. Venous access is appropriate to the setting; immediate vial disposal, no mixing and the 12-hour oral hand-off add manageable burden and waste.

Full-course cost-effectiveness-

The catalogue does not resolve the 5 ml versus 10 ml single-use vial and current exact Georgian price/availability is not verified; cost is excluded.

Important safety and use flags

  • Use only to initiate treatment of diagnosed canine CHF caused by mitral/tricuspid valvular insufficiency or dilated cardiomyopathy. It is not a routine injection for preclinical B2 disease or every low-output state.
  • ONE IV DOSE ONLY: 0.15 mg/kg equals 0.2 ml/kg of this 0.75 mg/ml product. Determine body weight accurately and do not create a repeating IV schedule.
  • IV is the only authorised route. Do not transfer experimental IM or SC administration; the controlled SC group did not show the same rapid haemodynamic response.
  • Oral Vetmedin may start 12 hours after injection. Plan the hand-off explicitly and avoid accidental overlap or a gap caused by treating the injection as complete long-term therapy.
  • Confirm CHF and morphology, then monitor respiratory effort/oxygenation, heart rate/rhythm, blood pressure, perfusion, congestion, renal function and electrolytes. Pimobendan does not replace oxygen, diuresis or other indicated acute-CHF care.
  • Do not use in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis or another functional/anatomical condition where cardiac output cannot increase, or in hypersensitivity.
  • Rare labelled effects include transient vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia, lethargy and increased heart rate. Reassess an acutely decompensated dog promptly because its physiological reserve may be limited.
  • Verapamil and propranolol can attenuate the inotropic response. Review the full cardiovascular protocol and trend clinical response rather than assuming the injection will override beta- or calcium-channel blockade.
  • Pimobendan is excreted into milk and high maternotoxic doses produced embryotoxicity in laboratory studies. Use in pregnant or lactating bitches only after an individual benefit-risk assessment.
  • The preservative-free 5 ml and 10 ml vials are SINGLE USE: use immediately and discard all remainder. Do not mix with another veterinary medicine because compatibility studies are absent.
Assessment sources
  1. Vetmedin 0.75 mg/ml, VMD SPC 20242024
  2. Vetmedin injection VMD record2026
  3. Vetmedin injection VMD PAR2018
  4. Vetmedin injection UPD record2026
  5. ACVIM MMVD consensus 20192019
  6. IV pimobendan placebo-controlled study2019
  7. IV pimobendan PK-PD study2021
  8. IV pimobendan LA-hemodynamic study2021
  9. GE Vetmedin injection register audit2026
  10. FDA Vetmedin injection absence audit2026
Assessed: 22 Oct 2026The overall score uses 25/25/25/15/10 weights. An unassessed price is excluded and the remaining weights are proportionally renormalised.
Composition / strength
Pimobendan0.75 mg/ml
Formulation Type
Solution
Administration route
Intravenous
Manufacturer
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health · Germany
Registration
Georgia No
Not registered in Georgia
Veterinary (National Food Agency)
Verified on: 22 Oct 2026
 EU Yes, veterinary
№ AT/V/0019/001
Verified on: 22 Oct 2026
 UK Yes, veterinary
№ Vm 08327/5030
Verified on: 22 Oct 2026
 US No
Verified on: 22 Oct 2026
Controlled in Georgia
No
Checked against the narcotics law, Annex 1, lists I-IV, and Order No. 22/n.
Verified on: 16 Oct 2026
Information not fully verified For one intravenous dose only to initiate treatment of diagnosed canine CHF caused by mitral/tricuspid valvular insufficiency or dilated cardiomyopathy: 0.15 mg/kg = 0.2 ml/kg. Weigh accurately. Oral Vetmedin may begin 12 hours later. Each preservative-free 5 ml or 10 ml vial is single-use; discard the remainder immediately.

Professional reference for veterinary professionals. Not advertising and not a substitute for the product label/SPC.

For veterinary professionals only. It does not replace clinical judgement or the product label; check the dose in the official label (SPC). vetman is not liable for harm caused by using this information.

Trademarks belong to their owners; vetman is not affiliated with the manufacturers and receives no payment from them.

The database is protected under Chapter VII of the Law of Georgia on Copyright and Related Rights; automated or bulk copying is prohibited.

This reference is still growing. Missing a product? Let us know. · Report an error or request an addition · Updated: 23 Oct 2026

All of this shows in vetman as you prescribe

The dose for the patient's weight, registration in Georgia and controlled status, right on the prescription.

Register Demo ↗