FDA Clears First Cat-Specific Blood Pressure Drug

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first amlodipine-based drug designed specifically for cats to treat high blood pressure.

The product, Amodip, contains amlodipine besylate and is the first of its kind for feline use. It is also only the second FDA-approved treatment for systemic hypertension in cats. The drug is produced by Ceva Santé Animale.

Feline hypertension is commonly linked to chronic kidney disease, though it can also occur on its own or with other conditions. If untreated, it can damage the eyes, kidneys, heart, brain, and nervous system. Until now, veterinarians have relied on human versions of amlodipine used off-label.

Data from a controlled study of 77 cats showed 64.1 percent of those treated with Amodip had reduced blood pressure after 28 days, compared to 17.6 percent in the control group. Another study involving 225 cats treated over one year showed improvement in eye damage linked to high blood pressure, though severe vision loss was often not reversed.

The FDA says the drug works by relaxing blood vessels to lower blood pressure. A safety study found it was generally well tolerated, though gum overgrowth was observed in some cats over time.

Amodip is given once daily based on body weight, with dose adjustments if needed. Veterinarians are advised to monitor blood pressure and check kidney and liver function during treatment. Pet owners are also urged to watch for side effects such as loss of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea.