Apresoline (Hydralazine) 10mg Tablets
Apresoline is positioned as a best-in-class arteriolar vasodilator for dogs because it reliably reduces systemic afterload, is widely available in generic form, and is one of the most cost-effective prescription options for chronic management. Compared with nitrates like Isordil or Nitro-Bid that primarily unload the venous side, hydralazine targets arterial resistance and pairs well with venodilators for balanced blood pressure control; versus compounded suspensions it lacks dosing flexibility for very small patients but offers stable, low-cost tablet dosing.
Fast artery relaxer
Low-dose friendly
Fast artery relaxer
Low-dose friendly
Review Summary
"Owners report hydralazine lowers blood pressure reliably in dogs when used as prescribed but some see side effects like increased heart rate and occasional GI upset; tablets can be awkward to dose for very small dogs. Overall users find it effective as part of combination therapy for hypertension. "
Vintage heart-helper
10 mg oral tablets used off-label to reduce systemic vascular resistance and afterload in hypertensive or heart-failure dogs
Vintage heart-helper
10 mg oral tablets used off-label to reduce systemic vascular resistance and afterload in hypertensive or heart-failure dogs
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Apresoline is positioned as a best-in-class arteriolar vasodilator for dogs because it reliably reduces systemic afterload, is widely available in generic form, and is one of the most cost-effective prescription options for chronic management. Compared with nitrates like Isordil or Nitro-Bid that primarily unload the venous side, hydralazine targets arterial resistance and pairs well with venodilators for balanced blood pressure control; versus compounded suspensions it lacks dosing flexibility for very small patients but offers stable, low-cost tablet dosing.
Fast artery relaxer
Low-dose friendly
Vintage heart-helper
10 mg oral tablets used off-label to reduce systemic vascular resistance and afterload in hypertensive or heart-failure dogs
Direct smooth muscle relaxant with relatively rapid onset for systemic vasodilation
Fast artery relaxer
Low-dose friendly
Vintage heart-helper
10 mg oral tablets used off-label to reduce systemic vascular resistance and afterload in hypertensive or heart-failure dogs
Direct smooth muscle relaxant with relatively rapid onset for systemic vasodilation
$20-60 CAD
Isordil (Isosorbide Dinitrate) 10mg Tablets
Isordil is highlighted as a market leader among oral nitrates for dogs because it produces sustained venodilation that helps reduce preload and is easy to dose as a tablet formulation for outpatient care. Compared with Nitro-Bid ointment, Isordil provides longer systemic coverage without the topical handling or storage considerations, and when combined with hydralazine it offers a complementary hemodynamic effect; it is generally mid-range in cost and avoids the flavor and compounding premiums of liquid preparations.
Nitrate quick-release
Tablet dosing simple
Nitrate quick-release
Tablet dosing simple
Review Summary
"Isosorbide dinitrate gets mixed feedback: some owners note improved congestion and breathing while others see limited benefit or rapid tolerance and episodes of low blood pressure. Administration and variable response are common complaints. "
Classic chest-calmer
Oral isosorbide dinitrate that primarily reduces preload through venodilation and is used adjunctively in canine cardiac care
Classic chest-calmer
Oral isosorbide dinitrate that primarily reduces preload through venodilation and is used adjunctively in canine cardiac care
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Isordil is highlighted as a market leader among oral nitrates for dogs because it produces sustained venodilation that helps reduce preload and is easy to dose as a tablet formulation for outpatient care. Compared with Nitro-Bid ointment, Isordil provides longer systemic coverage without the topical handling or storage considerations, and when combined with hydralazine it offers a complementary hemodynamic effect; it is generally mid-range in cost and avoids the flavor and compounding premiums of liquid preparations.
Nitrate quick-release
Tablet dosing simple
Classic chest-calmer
Oral isosorbide dinitrate that primarily reduces preload through venodilation and is used adjunctively in canine cardiac care
Slower onset and longer duration than sublingual nitrates, often dosed several times daily
Nitrate quick-release
Tablet dosing simple
Classic chest-calmer
Oral isosorbide dinitrate that primarily reduces preload through venodilation and is used adjunctively in canine cardiac care
Slower onset and longer duration than sublingual nitrates, often dosed several times daily
$25-80 CAD
Nitro-Bid (Nitroglycerin) 2% Ointment
Nitro-Bid stands out for acute and topical use because nitroglycerin ointment delivers rapid vasodilation transdermally, making it valuable when oral administration is impractical or when a fast onset is required. Compared with oral nitrates like Isordil, Nitro-Bid has a quicker effect but typically higher per-dose cost and added handling/storage considerations; it occupies a distinct niche versus systemic agents such as hydralazine and sildenafil by providing localized, short-acting venodilation.
Topical vasodilator
Local application control
Topical vasodilator
Local application control
Review Summary
"Topical nitroglycerin ointment is praised for fast, localized vasodilation and rapid clinical effect but many users find it messy, difficult to apply, and worry about owner exposure and systemic hypotension. It’s often considered useful for short-term or focal problems but inconvenient for long-term use. "
Sticky but trusty
2% topical nitroglycerin ointment provides fast-acting vasodilation useful for acute afterload reduction
Sticky but trusty
2% topical nitroglycerin ointment provides fast-acting vasodilation useful for acute afterload reduction
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Nitro-Bid stands out for acute and topical use because nitroglycerin ointment delivers rapid vasodilation transdermally, making it valuable when oral administration is impractical or when a fast onset is required. Compared with oral nitrates like Isordil, Nitro-Bid has a quicker effect but typically higher per-dose cost and added handling/storage considerations; it occupies a distinct niche versus systemic agents such as hydralazine and sildenafil by providing localized, short-acting venodilation.
Topical vasodilator
Local application control
Sticky but trusty
2% topical nitroglycerin ointment provides fast-acting vasodilation useful for acute afterload reduction
Topical route is helpful when oral administration is impractical but carries risk of human exposure and sensitization
Topical vasodilator
Local application control
Sticky but trusty
2% topical nitroglycerin ointment provides fast-acting vasodilation useful for acute afterload reduction
Topical route is helpful when oral administration is impractical but carries risk of human exposure and sensitization
$40-120 CAD
Hydralazine Compounded Oral Suspension
The compounded hydralazine oral suspension is a market-leading choice for small or pill-averse dogs because it enables precise, weight‑based dosing and palatable formulations that standard tablets cannot match. Although compounding increases per-unit cost relative to off-the-shelf Apresoline tablets, the technical advantage of customizable concentrations and flavored liquids makes it superior for pediatric, geriatric, or outpatient titration scenarios where dosing flexibility and adherence matter most.
Liquid dose accuracy
Easy for picky
Liquid dose accuracy
Easy for picky
Review Summary
"Compounded hydralazine suspension is frequently appreciated for accurate dosing and ease of administration in small dogs and cats, though some owners express concerns about consistency between compounding pharmacies and shelf-life. Most long-term users report good clinical results when potency is confirmed. "
Tailored strength magic
Compounded hydralazine oral suspension allows precise weight-based dosing for small dogs or patients unable to swallow tablets
Tailored strength magic
Compounded hydralazine oral suspension allows precise weight-based dosing for small dogs or patients unable to swallow tablets
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
The compounded hydralazine oral suspension is a market-leading choice for small or pill-averse dogs because it enables precise, weight‑based dosing and palatable formulations that standard tablets cannot match. Although compounding increases per-unit cost relative to off-the-shelf Apresoline tablets, the technical advantage of customizable concentrations and flavored liquids makes it superior for pediatric, geriatric, or outpatient titration scenarios where dosing flexibility and adherence matter most.
Liquid dose accuracy
Easy for picky
Tailored strength magic
Compounded hydralazine oral suspension allows precise weight-based dosing for small dogs or patients unable to swallow tablets
Provides the same arterial vasodilatory effect as tablets but in a palatable, adjustable concentration
Liquid dose accuracy
Easy for picky
Tailored strength magic
Compounded hydralazine oral suspension allows precise weight-based dosing for small dogs or patients unable to swallow tablets
Provides the same arterial vasodilatory effect as tablets but in a palatable, adjustable concentration
$50-150 CAD
Sildenafil 20mg Tablets
Sildenafil 20mg is positioned as the lead pulmonary vasodilator option for dogs because it selectively targets pulmonary arterial pressure and is widely used for pulmonary hypertension cases where systemic vasodilators are less effective. Compared with systemic agents like hydralazine or nitrates, sildenafil’s pulmonary specificity reduces the risk of systemic hypotension and is generally available as a cost-effective generic option, making it the preferred choice when pulmonary vasodilation is the clinical priority.
Pulmonary pressure reducer
Dog-sized dosing
Pulmonary pressure reducer
Dog-sized dosing
Review Summary
"Sildenafil 20 mg is widely reported to improve exercise tolerance and reduce signs of pulmonary hypertension in dogs, with relatively few and usually mild side effects; many owners note clear quality-of-life benefits. It is one of the more consistently well-reviewed vasodilators in veterinary use. "
Happy lungs, wagging
Sildenafil 20 mg tablets (PDE-5 inhibitor) are widely used to treat pulmonary hypertension in dogs
Happy lungs, wagging
Sildenafil 20 mg tablets (PDE-5 inhibitor) are widely used to treat pulmonary hypertension in dogs
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Sildenafil 20mg is positioned as the lead pulmonary vasodilator option for dogs because it selectively targets pulmonary arterial pressure and is widely used for pulmonary hypertension cases where systemic vasodilators are less effective. Compared with systemic agents like hydralazine or nitrates, sildenafil’s pulmonary specificity reduces the risk of systemic hypotension and is generally available as a cost-effective generic option, making it the preferred choice when pulmonary vasodilation is the clinical priority.
Pulmonary pressure reducer
Dog-sized dosing
Happy lungs, wagging
Sildenafil 20 mg tablets (PDE-5 inhibitor) are widely used to treat pulmonary hypertension in dogs
Oral dosing is predictable and often tailored as once- or twice-daily depending on disease severity
Pulmonary pressure reducer
Dog-sized dosing
Happy lungs, wagging
Sildenafil 20 mg tablets (PDE-5 inhibitor) are widely used to treat pulmonary hypertension in dogs
Oral dosing is predictable and often tailored as once- or twice-daily depending on disease severity
$20-80 CAD