Generic phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride tablets hit the market

ZyVet Animal Health announced earlier this week that its FDA-approved generic phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride tablets have been released after receiving its approval in June 2024. This product is the first time the agency has approved a generic form of the medication. The tablets are a treatment for managing urinary incontinence in canine patients due to urethral sphincter hypotonus.2

According to the release, this condition is often seen in spayed females and aging dogs and can lead to accidents that could be embarrassing or frustrating to clients. The product, now available through ZyVet, will offer a relief solution for the pet while also supporting long-term client adherence.

“Urinary incontinence affects quality of life for both pets and their families. Our phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride tablets deliver both clinical reliability and affordability, enabling veterinarians to confidently treat more patients and maintain client [adherence],” Punit Patel, president and CEO of Zydus Americas, said.1

"We’re proud to offer an option that removes cost as a barrier to compassionate care. With each launch, we reinforce that innovation doesn’t need to come with a premium price tag—and that every pet should have access to high-quality treatment options,” Patel continued.

The product is available in multiple strengths to support precise dosing, and it is designed considering the needs of clients and veterinary teams.

Canine incontinence tips

Canine incontinence affects 20% of all spayed female dogs and up to 30% of large breed dogs, but any dog can be affected by it.3 During a lecture given at dvm360's Fetch Nashville 2025 conference, Mark J. Acierno, DVM, MBA, DACVIM (SAIM), explained more on how veterinary teams can diagnose incontinence, including signs, causes, and the role patient history plays for incontinence.4,5

Collecting a patient’s history is a crucial step for diagnosing incontinence in a canine patient. When talking to clients, include questions about timing, because a puppy dribbling constantly is a significantly different scenario than a middle-aged female dog who is spayed and wetting the bed at night.4,5 When and where can also be important questions to ask clients. Are they urinating on the bed or next to it? If it's happening in the middle of the night, what does that look like? By considering the timing of events surrounding the urination, it can help veterinary teams tell the difference between incontinence and other conditions.4,5

Physical examination can also determine incontinence. Veterinary teams who are examining a patient who might have incontinence should obtain a detailed examination of the patient's genitalia. They should be on the lookout for anatomic abnormalities as well as wet or stained fur or scalding and dermatitis. During his lecture, Acierno also recommended that teams have the client prevent their dog from urinating prior to the appointment.4,5 The patient can then urinate during the appointment to allow the team to observe the pet and gain valuable information, such as whether the pet is straining normally and whether the patient postures correctly after urinating.

References

1. ZyVet launches first generic treatment for canine urinary incontinence. News release. ZyVet Animal Health. September 15, 2025. Accessed September 18, 2025.
2. Generic drug for urinary incontinence in dogs receives FDA approval. dvm360. June 11, 2024. Accessed September 18, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/generic-drug-for-urinary-incontinence-in-dogs-receives-fda-approval
3. Weir M, Hunter T, Ward E. Urinary incontinence (urethral incontinence) in dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals. Accessed June 5, 2025. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/urethral-incontinence-in-dogs
4. Acierno MJ. How do we turn off this spigot? managing canine incontinence. Presented at: Fetch dvm360 Conference; May 30-31, 2025; Nashville, TN.
5. Bautista-Alejandre A. Diagnosing canine incontinence. dvm360. June 5, 2025. Accessed September 18, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/diagnosing-canine-incontinence