Is Amlodipine safe for dogs and cats?
Low risk for pets(Dogs-specific data is limited; this page draws from cat context.) Amlodipine is the first-line antihypertensive in cats — FDA veterinary-approved (Amlodipine besylate Tablets for Cats, 0.625 mg tablets) for feline systemic hypertension, which occurs commonly in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperthyroidism, or primary hypertension. Veterinary dosing: 0.625 mg per cat once daily; may increase to 1.25 mg/cat/day if needed; weight-based dosing (0.1–0.25 mg/kg/day) is used when precise dosing is needed. Feline hypertension: the most common cause of hypertensive crisis in cats is CKD — amlodipine reduces blood pressure and protects target organs (retina, kidneys, brain); retinal detachment and acute blindness from hypertensive chorioretinopathy are common presenting signs in cats with severe hypertension. Efficacy: amlodipine reduces blood pressure in cats very effectively; most cats achieve target BP <160 mmHg with 0.625 mg daily. Gingival hyperplasia: similar to humans, gingival overgrowth can develop in cats on amlodipine; regular dental examination recommended. Accidental overdose in cats: single extra doses of 0.625 mg are unlikely to cause significant adverse effects; doses >5–10× therapeutic may cause hypotension; treatment supportive. Human tablets in cats: 2.5 mg and 5 mg human amlodipine tablets require careful splitting to achieve cat-appropriate doses — compounded 0.625 mg tablets or liquid are preferred.
What is amlodipine?
The IUPAC name is 3-O-ethyl 5-O-methyl 2-(2-aminoethoxymethyl)-4-(2-chlorophenyl)-6-methyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate.
Also known as: 3-O-ethyl 5-O-methyl 2-(2-aminoethoxymethyl)-4-(2-chlorophenyl)-6-methyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate, Amlodipino, Amlodipinum, Amlodipine Free Base.
- IUPAC name
- 3-O-ethyl 5-O-methyl 2-(2-aminoethoxymethyl)-4-(2-chlorophenyl)-6-methyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate
- CAS number
- 88150-42-9
- Molecular formula
- C20H25ClN2O5
- Molecular weight
- 408.9 g/mol
- SMILES
- CCOC(=O)C1=C(NC(=C(C1C2=CC=CC=C2Cl)C(=O)OC)C)COCCN
- PubChem CID
- 2162
Risk for dogs
Low riskAmlodipine is the first-line antihypertensive in cats — FDA veterinary-approved (Amlodipine besylate Tablets for Cats, 0.625 mg tablets) for feline systemic hypertension, which occurs commonly in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperthyroidism, or primary hypertension. Veterinary dosing: 0.625 mg per cat once daily; may increase to 1.25 mg/cat/day if needed; weight-based dosing (0.1–0.25 mg/kg/day) is used when precise dosing is needed. Feline hypertension: the most common cause of hypertensive crisis in cats is CKD — amlodipine reduces blood pressure and protects target organs (retina, kidneys, brain); retinal detachment and acute blindness from hypertensive chorioretinopathy are common presenting signs in cats with severe hypertension. Efficacy: amlodipine reduces blood pressure in cats very effectively; most cats achieve target BP <160 mmHg with 0.625 mg daily. Gingival hyperplasia: similar to humans, gingival overgrowth can develop in cats on amlodipine; regular dental examination recommended. Accidental overdose in cats: single extra doses of 0.625 mg are unlikely to cause significant adverse effects; doses >5–10× therapeutic may cause hypotension; treatment supportive. Human tablets in cats: 2.5 mg and 5 mg human amlodipine tablets require careful splitting to achieve cat-appropriate doses — compounded 0.625 mg tablets or liquid are preferred.
Risk for cats
Low riskAmlodipine is the first-line antihypertensive in cats — FDA veterinary-approved (Amlodipine besylate Tablets for Cats, 0.625 mg tablets) for feline systemic hypertension, which occurs commonly in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperthyroidism, or primary hypertension. Veterinary dosing: 0.625 mg per cat once daily; may increase to 1.25 mg/cat/day if needed; weight-based dosing (0.1–0.25 mg/kg/day) is used when precise dosing is needed. Feline hypertension: the most common cause of hypertensive crisis in cats is CKD — amlodipine reduces blood pressure and protects target organs (retina, kidneys, brain); retinal detachment and acute blindness from hypertensive chorioretinopathy are common presenting signs in cats with severe hypertension. Efficacy: amlodipine reduces blood pressure in cats very effectively; most cats achieve target BP <160 mmHg with 0.625 mg daily. Gingival hyperplasia: similar to humans, gingival overgrowth can develop in cats on amlodipine; regular dental examination recommended. Accidental overdose in cats: single extra doses of 0.625 mg are unlikely to cause significant adverse effects; doses >5–10× therapeutic may cause hypotension; treatment supportive. Human tablets in cats: 2.5 mg and 5 mg human amlodipine tablets require careful splitting to achieve cat-appropriate doses — compounded 0.625 mg tablets or liquid are preferred.
Regulatory consensus
1 regulatory bodyhas classified Amlodipine.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDA | — | Approved for hypertension and coronary artery disease (angina) |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where pets encounter amlodipine
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Amlodipine:
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Therapeutic alternatives (consult prescriber)
Trade-offs: Drug-specific. Cannot substitute without medical guidance.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
What products contain amlodipine?
Amlodipine appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
See Amlodipine in the pets app
Look up products containing amlodipine, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in pets View raw API dataSources (2)
- FDA Prescribing Information: Amlodipine (Norvasc) — dihydropyridine CCB; peripheral edema; gingival hyperplasia; CCB OD management HIET/lipid emulsion; pediatric hypertension ≥6yr; veterinary feline approval 0.625mg; long half-life OD delayed onset (2023) (2023) — regulatory
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Cardiac Drug Toxicosis in Pets — statin myopathy in cats; beta-blocker bradycardia dogs; CCB toxicity (amlodipine/diltiazem); ACE inhibitor renal effects; warfarin anticoagulant; furosemide; toxic dose thresholds (2023) (2023) — veterinary
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →