PIMOBENDAN / SILDENAFIL / THEOPHYLLINE: ORAL OIL SUSPENSION

Prescribed For: Dogs

The dosage form available for Pimobendan / Sildenafil / Theophylline is Oral Oil Suspension. Wedgewood Pharmacy’s oral suspensions and solutions are a familiar and convenient dosage form. Oral suspensions and solutions can be administered directly into the mouth using a dosing syringe or mixed with a small amount of food. They offer a wide range of flavoring options, and flexible dosing adjustments.

2 strength combinations of Pimobendan / Sildenafil / Theophylline Oral Oil Suspension are available.

• Pimobendan from 2.5 mg/ml to 5 mg/ml
• Sildenafil (as Citrate) from 30 mg/ml to 50 mg/ml
• Theophylline from 50 mg/ml to 100 mg/ml

General Drug Information and Indications

Pimobendan is a new and important drug that is used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs. Large clinical studies support the use of pimobendan in dogs that have clinical signs of CHF and in breeds of dogs (Doberman pinschers and others) that are at risk for developing CHF. Pimobendan both strengthens the heart's ability to contract, and dilates blood vessels throughout the body. It is an oral medication and in most cases is given with other cardiac medications and diuretics such as furosemide. Recent studies have shown that dogs that receive pimobendan (with other cardiac drugs) both survived longer and had better quality of life scores than dogs receiving alternate cardiac treatments. For some breeds, including Doberman Pinschers, the increased time until the onset of clinical signs and the increase in survival time is dramatic. Dogs with clinical signs of CHF may show improvement within seven days of starting treatment. Cardiac enlargement may be improved within the first month of treatment. Pimobendan is a sufficiently well researched and important new drug. In 2009 the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine included pimobendan in their consensus statement regarding the treatment of chronic valvular heart disease. Pimobendan is FDA approved for use in dogs. It is sold under the trade name of Vetmedin®. When the appropriate form or dose of this drug is not available through a veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer, it may be compounded by a specialty pharmacy.

General Drug Information and Indications

Sildenafil is a drug that is used in dogs and cats with heart and/or lung problems that cause increased blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. This drug is approved for use in human medicine under the trade name of Viagra ^®. It is used for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension and erectile dysfunction in men.

Pulmonary hypertension refers to abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs that forces the right side of the heart to work harder than normal. Sildenafil causes the smooth muscle surrounding small blood vessels in the lungs to relax, decreasing the work load on the heart. Although there are other similar drugs available on the human market, sildenafil has been the most studied in veterinary medicine.

Sildenafil has been shown to improve energy, exercise tolerance, and overall quality of life in animals with pulmonary hypertension. Research in humans shows that maximum relaxation of the small blood vessels in the lungs occurs 60 minutes after oral administration of sildenafil. Like many other drugs in veterinary medicine, this drug is not FDA approved for use in animals and is not available from a veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer. Instead, it is compounded by a specialty pharmacy.

Basic Information

Theophylline is a bronchodilator that is prescribed by veterinarians to help relax the muscles in a patient's lungs and chest so she can breathe easier. It also is commonly used to treat a wide range of pulmonary disorders, such as pulmonary edema, bronchial asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and in rarer cases, heart failure. Theophylline is available in both an oral and an injectable form. It is very well-absorbed after oral administration.

If you or someone else has accidentally ingested this medication call the National Capital Poison Center at 800.222.1222.