Vomiting after Pimobendan (Vetmedin) in cats

The FDA has received 35 reports of vomiting in cats after Pimobendan. That is 24% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 18% across reports for all cat medicines.

35Reports

31%Marked serious

26%Recovered

17%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

13 57%

1–2 days

2 8.7%

3–7 days

1 4.3%

1–4 weeks

0 0.0%

Over a month

7 30%

How the animals did

Recovered

9 26%

Still unwell when reported

3 8.6%

Died

5 14%

Euthanised

1 2.9%

Not known

17 49%

Problems reported at the same time

Loss of appetite

9 26%

Accidental exposure

7 20%

Death

6 17%

Lethargy

6 17%

Breathing problems

4 11%

Weight loss

4 11%

Didn't work as expected

4 11%

Drooling

3 8.6%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Pimobendan treats heart failure and some heart disease.

Products with this ingredient include Vetmedin. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Pimobendan cause vomiting in cats?: 35 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within the same day of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

All reported side effects of Pimobendan in cats · Medicines most reported with vomiting