Fight HCM with
Felycin®-CA1

An echocardiogram is the gold standard for diagnosing HCM, and it is strongly recommended to conduct one prior to initiating therapy. While the final decision rests with the prescribing clinician and the pet owner, treatment may occasionally be started without an echocardiogram if both parties elect to proceed. In all cases, it is important to rule out other potential causes of secondary myocardial hypertrophy, including hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and dehydration. Baseline bloodwork is also recommended, as normal liver values should be documented before starting therapy with Felycin-CA1. Felycin-CA1 has fully satisfied all FDA safety requirements, and its use is supported by a robust safety profile.

A recheck schedule will be up to the discretion of the managing clinician. Typically, echocardiograms are repeated every 6-12 months. However, every case is different, and this may depend on a patient’s severity of structural disease at the time of diagnosis.

If a cardiomyopathy other than HCM is diagnosed through an echocardiogram, then Felycin-CA1 should be discontinued. Otherwise, Felycin-CA1 is intended to be a lifelong medication for the management of subclinical feline HCM.

The effectiveness of Felycin-CA1 for late-stage (clinical) HCM has not been evaluated and is therefore not recommended.

The active ingredient in Felycin-CA1 is sirolimus, which is a macrolide.

The shelf life for Felycin-CA1 is 2 years.

The active pharmaceutical ingredient of Felycin-CA1, sirolimus, is absorbed into the blood stream from the small intestines and then metabolized at the level of the hepatocytes in the liver. For this reason, it is recommended to continue to monitor the liver function of patients on Felycin-CA1 over the course of treatment.

It is best to give both tablets together to ensure consistent pharmacokinetics/absorption and avoid sub-optimal doses. However, the difference of an hour or two may be better than unsuccessful oral administration. Keep in mind that two tablets will fit together in a pet piller.

If a dose is missed, advise clients to wait and administer the missed dose until the following week on the normal day and time to keep treatment consistency.

Felycin-CA1 aims to correct for maladaptive hypertrophy. Its dosing frequency allows for normal mTOR activity within the dosing interval, supporting necessary anabolic functions. For this reason, there is no reason to anticipate effects on healthy muscle.

Felycin-CA1 works by normalizing maladaptive processes that contribute to hypertrophy. This pharmacodynamic effect does not support the notion that the LV wall would reduce beyond a physiologically normal range.

Not every cat with stage B1 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy will progress to heart failure — and it’s important to be honest about that. However, we also know that once cats develop heart failure or thromboembolic disease, outcomes are poor. That’s why so much effort has gone into identifying which cats are at higher risk for progression.

Most cats with stage B2 disease are at meaningful risk and deserve the opportunity for treatment. And for some stage B1 cats with higher-risk features, early management may also be appropriate. The goal isn’t to treat every cat — it’s to identify the cats most likely to progress and intervene before they experience a devastating outcome.