Cardisure is supplied as a range of tablet sizes. The most economical are 10mg tablets, which are cleverly scored so that they are easily broken into four quarters. Hence doses of 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg and 10mg are easily given using this one tablet size. Smaller tablets, also easily divided, are available in 1.25mg, 2.5mg and 5mg sizes. Hence accurate and economical dosing of dogs of all different sizes is possible. Cardisure should be given twice daily without food. The tablets are meat flavoured to make it easier to give as a treats. Cardisure tablets come in blister packs with a long shelf life of 30 months from date of manufacture.
Below is the product datasheet. This has been provided by the manufacturer and should always be provided with the medication. Introduction 
Company name: Eurovet Animal Health Ltd
Address: Compass House
Chivers Way
Histon, Cambridge
CB24 9AD
Telephone: 01223 257933
Fax: 01223 257622
Qualitative and quantitative composition Active substance: Pimobendan
Each Cardisure 1.25 mg tablet contains 1.25 mg pimobendan.
Each Cardisure 2.5 mg tablet contains 2.5 mg pimobendan
Each Cardisure 5 mg tablet contains 5 mg pimobendan
Each Cardisure 10 mg tablet contains 10 mg pimobendan
Excipients:
For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1
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Pharmaceutical form
Light brown round tablets, scored on one side and plain on the other side The tablets can be divided into 4 equal parts.
Clinical particulars
Target species
-Dogs
Indications for use
For the treatment of canine congestive heart failure originating from valvular insufficiency (mitral and/or tricuspid regurgitation) or dilated cardiomyopathy.
Contra-indications
Do not use in cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathies or clinical conditions where an augmentation of cardiac output is not possible for functional or anatomical reasons (e.g. aortic stenosis).
See also section 4.7.
Special warnings for each target species
The product should be administered on an empty stomach at least one hour before meals, as absorption is reduced when given with feed.
Special precautions for use
(i) Special precautions for use in animals
The product is flavoured. To avoid accidental ingestion the tablets should be stored out of reach of dogs. An in vitro study in rat tissue demonstrated that pimobendan increased glucose-induced insulin release from pancreatic β-cells in a dose dependent manner. If the product is administered to diabetic dogs, blood glucose levels should be carefully monitored. As pimobendan is metabolised in the liver, particular care should be taken when administering the product to dogs with severe hepatic insufficiency.
(ii) Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.
Wash hands after use.
Advice to doctors: accidental ingestion, especially by a child, may lead to the occurrence of tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, flushing of the face and headaches.
Adverse reactions
A moderate positive chronotropic effect and vomiting may occur in rare cases. However, these effects are dose-dependent and may be avoided by reducing the dose in these cases. In rare cases transient diarrhoea, anorexia or lethargy have been observed. Although a relationship with pimobendan has not been clearly established, in very rare cases, signs of effects on primary haemostasis (petechiae on mucous membranes, subcutaneous haemorrhages) may be observed during treatment. These signs disappear when the treatment is withdrawn. In rare cases, an increase in mitral valve regurgitation has been observed during chronic pimobendan treatment in dogs with mitral valve disease. Monitoring of cardiac function and morphology is recommended in animals treated with pimobendan.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
Laboratory studies in rats and rabbits have not produced any evidence of teratogenic or foetotoxic effects. However, these studies have shown evidence of maternotoxic and embryotoxic effects at high doses, and have also shown that pimobendan is excreted into milk. The safety of the product has not been assessed in pregnant or nursing bitches. Use only according to the benefit/risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian.
Interactions
In pharmacological studies no interaction between the cardiac glycoside ouabain and pimobendan was detected. The pimobendan-induced increase in contractility of the heart is attenuated in the presence of the calcium antagonist verapamil and the β-antagonist propranolol.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
The preferable daily dose is 0.5 mg pimobendan/kg body weight.
Do not exceed the recommended dosage.
Determine the bodyweight accurately before treatment to ensure correct dosage. The tablets should be administered orally at a dose range of 0.2 mg to 0.6 mg pimobendan/kg body weight per day. The dose should be divided into two administrations (0.25 mg/kg body weight each), one half of the dose in the morning and the other half approximately 12 hours later. The maintenance dose should be individually adjusted by the responsible veterinarian according to the severity of the disease.
The product may be combined with a diuretic treatment e.g. furosemide.
To break a double scored tablet into quarters, place the tablet on an even surface with the scored side up and apply pressure on the middle with your thumb.
Each dose should be given approximately one hour before feeding.
Overdose
In the case of overdose, a positive chronotropic effect and vomiting may occur. In this situation, the dosage should be reduced and appropriate symptomatic treatment should be initiated.
Withdrawal periods
Not applicable.
Pharmacological particulars
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Cardiac stimulant (phosphodiesterase inhibitor)
ATCvet code: QC01CE90
Pharmacodynamic properties
Pimobendan, a benzimidazole-pyridazinone derivative, is a non-sympathomimetic, non-glycoside inotropic substance with potent vasodilatative properties.
Pimobendan exerts its stimulatory myocardial effect by a dual mode of action: it increases calcium sensitivity of cardiac myofilaments and inhibits phosphodiesterase (type III). It also exhibits a vasodilatory action through inhibition of phosphodiesterase III activity.
When used in cases of valvular insufficiency in conjunction with furosemide, the product has been shown to improve the quality of life and extend life expectancy in treated dogs. When used in a limited number of cases of dilated cardiomyopathy in conjunction with furosemide, enalapril and digoxin the product has been shown to improve the quality of life and to extend life expectancy in treated dogs.
Pharmacokinetic particulars
Absorption:
Following oral administration of this veterinary medicinal product the absolute bio-availability of the active principle is 60 - 63%. Since this bio-availability is considerably reduced when pimobendan is administered with food or shortly thereafter, it is recommended to treat animals approximately 1 hour before feeding.
Distribution
The volume of distribution is 2.6 l/kg, indicating that pimobendan is distributed readily into the tissues. The mean plasma protein binding is 93%.
Metabolism
The compound is oxidatively demethylated to its major active metabolite (UD-CG 212). Further metabolic pathways are phase II conjugates of UD-CG-212, in essence glucuronides and sulphates.
Elimination
The plasma elimination half-life of pimobendan is 1.1 ± 0.7 hours.
The main active metabolite is eliminated with a plasma elimination half-life of 1.5 ± 0.2 hours. Almost the entire dose is eliminated via faeces.
Pharmaceutical particulars
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Excipients
List of excipients Cellulose, microcrystalline (E460) Croscarmellose sodium Magnesium stearate Natural meat flavour
Major incompatibilities
None known.
Shelf life
Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale : 30 months. Shelf life of divided tablets after first opening the blister:3 days
Special precautions for storage
Return any divided tablet to the opened blister and use within 3 days. Do not store above 30°C
Immediate packaging
Aluminium – PVC/PE/PVDC blister: 10 tablets per blister: 2, 5, 10 or 25 blisters per carton. Aluminium – Aluminium blister: 5 tablets per blister: 4, 10, 20 or 50 blisters per carton.
Not all presentations may be marketed. -
Disposal
Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal products should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
Marketing authorisation number
Product M A Number.
Cardisure 1.25 mg tablet VM 16849/4026
Cardisure 2.5 mg tablet VM 16849/4027
Cardisure 5 mg tablet VM 16849/4028
Cardisure 10 mg tablet VM 16849/4029
Any other information
Nil
Legal category
POM-V
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