Telmisartan (Semintra®) for cats: Benefits and Uses

Did you know that Telmisartan is the first FDA-approved drug for high blood pressure in cats¹? It’s marketed as Semintra®. This medicine makes a big difference in how we take care of our feline friends.

Cats take Telmisartan by mouth, in liquid or tablet form¹. It works best when the cat hasn’t eaten recently. Besides high blood pressure, it’s used to help with kidney disease in both cats and dogs.

Key Takeaways

• Telmisartan (Semintra®) is an FDA-approved medication for treating high blood pressure in cats.
• It can also be used off-label to manage kidney disease in cats and dogs.
• Telmisartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker that helps lower blood pressure and improve blood flow.
• Potential side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, and low blood pressure.
• Proper dosage, frequency, and administration are crucial for the safe and effective use of Telmisartan in cats.

What is Telmisartan (Semintra®)?

Understanding the Drug’s Mode of Action

Telmisartan is a angiotensin II receptor blocker. It stops angiotensin II, a hormone making blood vessels narrow. This action raises blood pressure². By blocking the AT1 receptor, it makes blood vessels relax. This lowers blood pressure². After taking it, telmisartan changes into an active form, called 1-O-acylglucuronide of telmisartan. This form also plays a part in the blood system². Telmisartan mainly influences the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). This system is crucial in managing blood pressure².

Telmisartan is sold under the name Semintra, and also known as Micardis. It has been used in humans since the 1990s². For cats, it’s in tablets of 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg². The FDA has approved Telmisartan for treating high blood pressure in cats. It’s often used for glomerular disease, a condition that causes too much protein in the urine².

“Telmisartan is a selective angiotensin II receptor blocker, meaning it blocks the action of angiotensin II, a hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict and blood pressure to rise.”

Benefits of Telmisartan for Cats

Telmisartan, known as Semintra®, is a game-changer for feline health. It’s the first FDA-approved drug for high blood pressure in cats³. This medication is vital for keeping our furry friends healthy. Undiagnosed high blood pressure can harm a cat’s eyes, kidneys, heart, and brain⁴.

It’s not just that telmisartan is great for high blood pressure. Though not officially for this, it helps control kidney disease in cats too, especially in older ones¹. It does this by managing hypertension and slowing kidney disease’s advance. This means a better life for the cat.

• Controls high blood pressure in cats⁴
• Helps with kidney disease in cats¹
• Boosts the cat’s health and happiness

“Telmisartan (Semintra®) is the first and only FDA-approved drug for controlling high blood pressure in cats, a critical step in safeguarding their health and longevity.”

Telmisartan is incredibly versatile for common feline health issues. This shows its value in vet care. With its help, owners and vets can give their cats the best care possible.

Administering Telmisartan (Semintra®) to Cats

Dosage and Frequency

The right amount of Semintra for cats is 1.5 mg/kg twice daily for 14 days. Then, use 2 mg/kg once each day⁵. You might lower the amount in 0.5 mg/kg steps to as low as 0.5 mg/kg. This is in case your cat’s blood pressure gets too low because of the medicine⁵.

Directions for Use

You can give Semintra to your cat straight into their mouth or with a bit of food. But, don’t mix it into a lot of food⁵. Use the special syringe to measure the exact amount⁵.

Missed Dose Guidelines

If your cat throws up within 30 minutes of taking Semintra, you can give them the dose again⁵. Don’t worry if you missed a dose. Try to remember and give it when you remember. If it’s almost time for the next dose, just skip the missed one⁵.

So, for Semintra, start with 1.5 mg/kg twice daily for 14 days. Then, it’s 2 mg/kg once a day⁵. Give the medicine directly in the mouth or on food. Always be careful if you miss a dose. Make sure to keep up with the schedule as much as possible⁵.

“Telmisartan exhibits a slow dissociation from the AT 1 receptor binding site, leading to long-lasting receptor binding.”⁵

Following your vet’s directions is very important when using Semintra. This ensures your cat gets the best care⁶. Using the right amount and method can help control high blood pressure in cats⁶.

Potential Side Effects and Precautions

Telmisartan (Semintra®) is mostly safe for cats, but there are risks to watch out for⁷. The top issues from using Semintra in cats are vomiting, diarrhea, and not feeling well. Sometimes, cats might lose weight, have anemia, or get very thirsty⁸. Other uncommon issues include not wanting to eat, heartbeat problems, coughing, and a type of anemia.

Adverse Reactions in Cats

Cats might get a bit sick in the stomach when starting Semintra, like feeling sick or having diarrhea⁸. But not often, they might faint, feel very weak because of low blood pressure, or have anemia⁸. It’s best for a vet to watch over your cat, especially at first.

Precautions for Pregnant or Lactating Cats

Cats allergic to telmisartan shouldn’t take it⁷. Using it on cats with liver problems needs extra care. Pregnant women should avoid Semintra since it could hurt a baby⁷. For pregnant, nursing, or breeding cats, its safety is unknown⁸.

Owners should talk to their vet about Semintra to see if its risks are worth the benefits for their cat. Knowing about the possible bad effects helps make smart choices for your cat’s health.

Keeping Semintra right is key. The liquid should stay at a steady room temperature. After opening, it’s good for about 6 months⁸. Following these storage tips keeps it working safely for your cat.

Telmisartan (Semintra®) for Cats: Benefits and Uses

Telmisartan, known as Semintra®, is new to the scene but making a big impact on how we take care of our cats. It’s a special kind of medication called an angiotensin II receptor blocker. It does a lot to help our cats feel better and live longer, making it a key weapon for vets.

This medicine is great for cats with high blood pressure, which is often linked to kidney problems in older cats. By reducing their blood pressure, telmisartan not only helps with their heart but can also slow down their kidney disease, even though this is not its main use⁹.

Besides helping with blood pressure, Semintra® is also good at improving the general health and happiness of our cats. It takes on several common health issues, making life better for those cats⁹.

Semintra® stands out as the first-ever drug approved by the FDA to treat high blood pressure in cats¹⁰. It works by blocking a system in their body that can lead to high blood pressure. This blockage helps blood vessels relax, lowering blood pressure¹⁰.

To get the best from telmisartan, start with 1.5 mg/kg twice a day for two weeks. Then, switch to a lower dose of 2 mg/kg once a day¹⁰. This approach works well, with cats usually responding within a few hours⁹.

Most cats do well with Semintra®, but a few might have side effects like stomach issues or being really tired. If you notice your cat acting unusual, talk to your vet right away⁹.

In short, Semintra® is a game-changer for cat health, especially for keeping their blood pressure in check. It offers real hope for a better life for our furry friends, but remember, always get advice from a vet for the best results⁹¹⁰¹¹.

Comparison with Similar Drugs

Efficacy, Cost, and Side Effect Profiles

Telmisartan (Semintra®) is the first FDA-approved drug for cat hypertension³. It stands alone in this area. Yet, vets may still consider other drugs, like ACE inhibitors or calcium blockers, for cat blood pressure issues.

Telmisartan shows strong results in bringing down cats’ blood pressure, as seen in studies¹². Even though it might cost more, its safety record is good. This makes it a top choice for treating cat hypertension.

Common side effects of Telmisartan are vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, and slight weight loss³. The drug seems to match or do better than other options in this area.

In short, Telmisartan (Semintra®) is unique as an FDA-approved hypertension drug for cats. It offers strong results, few side effects, and regulatory guaranteed quality.

“Telmisartan was proven noninferior to benazepril in controlling proteinuria, with the change in urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UP/C) significantly decreased with telmisartan compared to baseline at all assessment points.”¹³

Semintra compared to other medications for feline hypertension

Storage and Handling

Caring for your cat means handling Telmisartan (Semintra®) right. This medication is used for conditions like chronic kidney disease. Storing and handling it well keeps it safe for your cat’s health¹⁴.

Keep the Telmisartan oral solution at a cool room, below 25°C (77°F). Make sure the cap is tightly closed¹⁴. For tablets, leave them in the blister packs until you use them to protect their quality¹⁴. If your cat needs a portion of a tablet, ask your vet how to store the rest safely¹⁴.

When you give Semintra, use disposable gloves to avoid touching the medication. Throw the gloves away after use. Always wash your hands well after handling it¹. Keep your cat away from others for 2 hours after their dose to avoid any accidents¹.

These tips on storage and handling are key. They ensure Semintra keeps working safely for your cat’s health¹⁴¹.

“Proper storage and handling of Telmisartan (Semintra®) are crucial to ensuring the medication’s effectiveness and safety for your cat.” – Veterinary Pharmacist

Follow these rules to protect Telmisartan (Semintra®) and avoid risks for you and your cat¹⁴¹.

Emergency Procedures

If you think your cat is having an emergency from Semintra (telmisartan), you need to act fast. Contact your vet right away¹⁵. If the vet isn’t open, follow the emergency instructions they gave you.

If you see any bad reactions or think the Semintra is faulty, tell the FDA. You can talk to your vet or call Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health at 1-888-637-4251¹⁶. You can find more info on the FDA’s site about this.

• Adverse reactions in cats include stomach issues (like throwing up, diarrhea) and might happen to 1 to 10 out of 10,000 cats. They might also have kidney issues making the kidneys not work well after taking Semintra¹⁵.
• Other very rare bad reactions can mess with the liver and lower the number of red blood cells (1.
• Using too much Semintra can drop the blood pressure a lot, lower the red blood cell count, and raise the BUN levels¹⁵.

If you think your cat took too much Semintra or is reacting badly to it, do not wait to get help. Getting treatment fast can really help your cat’s health.

It’s very important to report any bad reactions or defects in Semintra. This helps keep the medicine safe and working. By teaming up with your vet and the producer, we keep Semintra a good choice for cats.

FDA Approval and Regulatory Information

Semintra® is the first FDA-approved drug for high blood pressure in cats¹⁷. It got FDA approval on May 15, 2018. It comes in a 10 mg/mL dosage and should be given 1.5 mg/kg twice daily for 2 weeks. Then, the dosage changes to 2 mg/kg once a day¹⁷. This medicine is given through the mouth and needs a vet’s prescription¹⁷.

Telmisartan, the main ingredient in Semintra, is not officially for kidney disease in cats but can still be used¹⁸. It is good at lowering blood pressure in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperthyroidism, and high blood pressure with no known cause¹⁸.

High blood pressure can harm a cat’s eyes, kidneys, heart, brain, or central nervous system¹⁸. Vets will check the cat’s blood pressure often and may change the Semintra dose as needed. The drug may cause problems like anemia, upset stomach, or changes in weight¹⁸.

Semintra needs a vet’s know-how to decide when and how to use it¹⁸. Women who are pregnant should not handle this medicine because it might hurt the baby. This is because similar drugs have harmed babies before¹⁸.

Research shows more about how telmisartan works in cats¹⁹. It was tested in cats with hormone problems, kidney disease, and other issues. Telmisartan did not affect aldosterone differently based on these issues. This suggests that cats with high blood pressure and no other serious diseases might still have this hormone issue.

If a cat’s blood pressure is very high and has hurt organs, it is called systemic arterial hypertension¹⁹. A cat is considered at risk if its blood pressure is consistently high. Such cats might develop heart or eye problems because of high blood pressure¹⁹¹⁷¹⁸.

Conclusion

Semintra (telmisartan) is key for cats with high blood pressure. It’s the only drug the FDA okayed for this use²⁰. This shows how important Semintra is for cats. It helps keep their health in check.

It’s not only for high blood pressure, though. While not FDA-approved for it, it aids cats with kidney disease. This is because kidney issues and high blood pressure often go together in older cats⁴.

So, Semintra does a lot for our feline friends. Not only does it manage high blood pressure, but it also tackles kidney disease. This makes it a super tool for vets and owners. It improves cats’ lives by fighting their health issues in different ways⁴.

Studies also say it’s safe and works at the right dose²⁰. This is good news all around. With Semintra, many cats can lead healthier and longer lives. It’s truly a game changer for those with complex health needs.

Source Links

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16. Mar Vista Animal Medical Center
17. FOI Summary for the Original Approval of NADA 141-501 May 15, 2018
18. FDA Approves Semintra, Animal Drug for the Control of High Blood Pressure in Cats
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