Didn't work as expected after Pimobendan (Vetmedin) in dogs

The FDA has received 313 reports of didn't work as expected in dogs after Pimobendan. That is 5.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 13% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

313Reports

38%Marked serious

8.0%Recovered

12%Died or euthanised

30 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

41 23%

1–2 days

11 6.2%

3–7 days

12 6.8%

1–4 weeks

25 14%

Over a month

88 50%

How the animals did

Recovered

23 7.3%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 0.6%

Still unwell when reported

68 22%

Died

23 7.3%

Euthanised

13 4.2%

Not known

184 59%

Problems reported at the same time

38 12%

21 6.7%

21 6.7%

20 6.4%

18 5.8%

17 5.4%

15 4.8%

14 4.5%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

100

12+ years

158

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 didn't work as expected in dogs?: 313 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 30 days 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 dogs · Medicines most reported with didn't work as expected