The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new chewable tablet to help manage systemic hypertension in cats, marking the first time an amlodipine-based product has received federal approval for veterinary use.
The drug, Amodip (amlodipine besylate), is indicated for the control of high blood pressure in cats. It is the second FDA-approved medication overall for this condition in felines.
Systemic hypertension occurs most frequently in cats suffering from chronic kidney disease, though it can also arise without an obvious underlying cause or in combination with other long-term illnesses. If left untreated, the condition risks damaging the eyes, kidneys, heart, brain, and central nervous system.
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that relaxes blood vessels, improving blood flow and reducing the workload on the heart.
According to the approval details, veterinarians should administer Amodip at the standard dose daily for the first 14 days. If the cat’s response proves insufficient after that period, the dose can be increased according to the guidelines in the package insert. The tablets are not suitable for accurate dosing in cats weighing less than 2.5 kilograms.
Prescribing veterinarians are advised to check blood pressure regularly and make dose adjustments as needed to keep readings within safe ranges for each cat. Early monitoring of bloodwork is also recommended to detect any changes in kidney or liver values.
Cat owners should watch for possible side effects such as reduced appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea, and contact their veterinarian if any develop.
Because proper diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing monitoring require professional veterinary oversight, Amodip is available only by prescription.
The approval was announced on Wednesday by the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.
