UpCard®-CA1 (torsemide oral solution) is Now Available

Veterinarians can now order the conditionally approved loop diuretic

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (July 1, 2024) – Veterinarians can now order UpCard®-CA1 (torsemide oral solution) through their preferred distributor. UpCard-CA1 received conditional approval from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in May 2024 as a loop diuretic with a once daily administration to help manage pulmonary edema in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).

Torsemide is a pyridine-sulfonylurea diuretic with a chemical structure different than other loop diuretic options. Torsemide is characterized by a half-life of about eight hours and duration of action of about 12 hours. In addition, it has a bioavailability of between 80 and 100% — leading to the convenient, once daily administration of UpCard-CA1.¹ In a study with 319 dogs, torsemide achieved higher owner compliance because of its once daily dosing.²

UpCard-CA1 is available in an easily titrated oral solution for precise dosing adjustments compared to tablets. UpCard-CA1 can be used with concurrent therapies such as pimobendan, spironolactone, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.³ The label indication of UpCard-CA1 includes use with concurrent therapies due to the nature of the disease and the need to evaluate UpCard-CA1 in dogs that were already receiving treatments including ACE inhibitors, pimobendan, digoxin, calcium channel blockers, and beta blockers prior to study enrollment.⁴

In a six-month study, UpCard-CA1 was well tolerated in healthy dogs even when given once daily at 1.5 times the maximum conditionally approved dose.⁴ In a study using the tablet formulation, torsemide was associated with a two-fold reduction in the risk of reaching the composite cardiac endpoint compared to furosemide.¹

UpCard-CA1 is conditionally approved by the FDA pending a full demonstration of effectiveness under application number 141-577.

UpCard-CA1 is conditionally approved by the FDA for use with concurrent therapy with pimobendan, spironolactone, and an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor for the management of pulmonary edema in dogs with congestive heart failure caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: UpCard-CA1 is for use in dogs only. Do not administer to dogs with renal failure, anuria, severe dehydration, hypovolemia, or hypotension. Do not administer UpCard-CA1 concomitantly with other loop diuretics or to dogs with hypersensitivity to the active substance, torsemide, or to any of the excipients. UpCard-CA1 should be used only in stable dogs with congestive heart failure caused by MMVD which has been diagnosed by means of a comprehensive physical and cardiac examination. This drug has not been evaluated in dogs used for breeding, pregnant or lactating bitches. The most common side effects seen in dogs with CHF due to MMVD while taking UpCard-CA1 are cough, dyspnea, pulmonary edema, and cardiac arrest. Adverse reactions not related to disease progression in dogs receiving UpCard-CA1 include polyuria and polydipsia, renal insufficiency, increased BUN and serum creatinine, urinary incontinence, hypokalemia, hypochloremia, hypercalcemia, hypomagnesemia, diarrhea, vomiting, and inappetence. For full prescribing information, visit www.vetoquinolusa.com/upcard-ca1-info.

About Vetoquinol USA

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Vetoquinol USA is owned by Vetoquinol S.A., an independent, family-owned French pharmaceutical company founded in 1933. Dedicated exclusively to animal health, Vetoquinol USA is focused on the development, production, and marketing of AAFCO, NASC, EPA, and FDA-regulated pharmaceutical, nutritional, and dermatological products for small and large animals.

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1. Chetboul, V., Pouchelon, J. L., Menard, J., Blanc, J., Desquilbet, L., Petit, A., Rougier, S., Lucats, L., Woehrle, F., & TEST study investigators (2017). Short-Term Efficacy and Safety of Torasemide and Furosemide in 366 Dogs with Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease: The TEST Study. Journal Of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 31(6), 1629–1642.

2. Besche, B., Blondel, T., Guillot, E., Garelli-Paar, C., & Oyama, M. A. (2020). Efficacy of oral torasemide in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease and new onset congestive heart failure: The CARPODIEM study. Journal Of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 34(5), 1746–1758.

3. UpCard-CA1 Prescribing Information.

4. UpCard-CA1 Freedom of Information Summary.

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