Introducing SEMINTRA® (telmisartan oral solution) —The First FDA-Approved Liquid Solution For Feline Hypertension 

A new and easy-to-give solution for a common problem in cats.

DULUTH, Ga. (October 2, 2018) —The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has approved SEMINTRA 10 mg/mL oral solution for the control of systemic hypertension in cats, a common condition in older cats.1-3 Designed to make management of feline hypertension easier for cat owners and veterinarians, SEMINTRA is the only FDA-approved treatment for feline hypertension in an easy-to-give formulation.

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is often referred to as the silent killer as it is a complex disease and can be challenging to diagnose. Vital organs, including the kidneys, eyes, brain, and heart, are at risk of being affected by hypertension. Just as in humans, if left untreated, it can lead to serious illness or even shorten a cat’s life.4,5

It is a common clinical problem, with up to 1 in 5 cats over the age of 7 being affected.1-3 Hypertension is most often associated with other diseases, chronic kidney disease (CKD) being the most common. Up to 2 out of 3 cats with hypertension also have CKD; when one is not managed well, it could potentially worsen the other. 

Cats require specialized treatments designed to meet their specific needs. As Boehringer Ingelheim remains committed to animal well-being, SEMINTRA was specifically designed with cats in mind to provide safe, reliable, and convenient long-term control of blood pressure. 

“We are proud to continue to set new standards of care for cats to optimize their health and well-being through the veterinarian. Early disease detection and early treatment are key to ensure cats live longer and happier lives. With Semintra® (telmisartan oral solution), we offer a pet owner–friendly, easy-to-give solution to help raise the quality of life of cats with hypertension, while providing reliable long-term blood pressure control,” said Shawn Hooker, Global Head of Strategic Business Unit Pet Vet at Boehringer Ingelheim.

SEMINTRA is now approved as a veterinary medicine for the control of feline systemic hypertension. It was launched in a number of European countries during September 2018. 

To learn more about SEMINTRA, visit www.semintra.com or view the US Freedom of Information Summary.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

SEMINTRA is for oral use in cats only. The most common side effects reported in field studies include: vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, anemia, dehydration, poor appetite, and weight loss. SEMINTRA has not been evaluated in: cats with systolic blood pressure > 200 mmHg, cats with hepatic disease, cats less than 9 months of age, or cats that are pregnant, lactating, or intended for breeding. Pregnant women should avoid contact with SEMINTRA because other similar drugs have been found to harm the unborn baby during pregnancy. For additional information, see the full prescribing information. 

References

1. Bodey AR, Sansom J. Epidemiological study of blood pressure in domestic cats. J Small Anim Pract. 1998;39(12):567–573. 
2. Jepson RE. Feline systemic hypertension: classification and pathogenesis. J Feline Med Surg. 2011;13(1):25–34.
3. Elliott J, Fletcher M, Syme HM. Idiopathic feline hypertension: epidemiologic study [abstract]. J Vet Intern Med. 2003;17:754.
4. Taylor SS, Sparkes AH, Briscoe K, et al. ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of hypertension in cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2017;19(3):288–303.
5. Bijsmans ES, Jepson RE, Chang YM, Syme HM, Elliott J. Changes in systolic blood pressure over time in healthy cats and cats with chronic kidney disease. J Vet Intern Med. 2015;29(3):855–861. 

SEMINTRA® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, 
licensed to Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. 
© 2018 Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. PET-0831-SEMI0918 18623