Imidapril

Imidapril In Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).
• The overall impact is a decrease in preload and afterload via vasodilation and arteriodilation, a decrease in salt and water retention due to decreased aldosterone synthesis, and suppression of angiotensin-aldosterone-mediated cardiac and vascular remodelling.
• In the kidney, efferent arteriolar dilatation can reduce intraglomerular pressure and hence glomerular filtration.
• Proteinuria may be reduced as a result of this.

Uses of Imidapril

• Management of congestive heart failure in dogs caused by mitral regurgitation or dilated cardiomyopathy.
• There is no information available on cats.
• When heart failure is present, it is frequently taken in conjunction with diuretics because it is most effective in these instances.
• Can be used with other medications to treat heart failure (e.g., pimobendan, spironolactone, digoxin).
• Management of proteinuria caused by chronic renal insufficiency, glomerular diseases, and protein-losing nephropathies.
• In hypertension, it may lower blood pressure.

Dose of Imidapril in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

0.25 mg/kg p.o. q24h (for dogs weighing >4 kg).

Cats:

0.5 mg/kg p.o. q24h (anecdotal dose; no data available).

Side Effects of Imidapril in Dogs and Cats

• Hypotension, hyperkalaemia, and azotaemia are all possible side effects.
• If there are signs of hypotension (weakness, disorientation), the dosage should be lowered.
• Anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhoea are uncommon.
• In healthy dogs, doses of up to 5 mg/kg/day have been well tolerated.
• It is not suggested for breeding, pregnant, or breastfeeding pigs because its safety has not been shown.
• The safety of imidapril in dogs weighing less than 4 kg has not been demonstrated.

Contraindications of Imidapril in Dogs and Cats

• Do not use in animals with acute renal failure, congenital heart disease, haemodynamically relevant stenoses (e.g. aortic stenosis), obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or hypovolaemia.

Some Notes:

• Potassium-sparing diuretics like spironolactone or potassium supplements can cause hyperkalemia.
• However, spironolactone and ACE inhibitors seem safe to use together.
• NSAIDs may exacerbate nephrotoxicity and impair clinical effectiveness.
• Diuretics, vasodilators (anaesthetics, antihypertensives), and negative inotropes (beta-blockers) can cause hypotension.