Restlessness or agitation after Pimobendan (Vetmedin) in dogs

The FDA has received 158 reports of restlessness or agitation in dogs after Pimobendan. That is 2.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

158Reports

29%Marked serious

24%Recovered

11%Died or euthanised

11 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

21 25%

1–2 days

12 14%

3–7 days

7 8.2%

1–4 weeks

14 16%

Over a month

31 36%

How the animals did

Recovered

37 23%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.6%

Still unwell when reported

19 12%

Died

9 5.7%

Euthanised

9 5.7%

Not known

83 53%

Problems reported at the same time

44 28%

24 15%

22 14%

19 12%

18 11%

17 11%

16 10%

14 8.9%

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 restlessness or agitation in dogs?: 158 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 11 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 restlessness or agitation