# Amlodipine: veterinary dose and monograph

> Amlodipine is a veterinary cardiovascular drug. Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker — a peripheral arteriolar vasodilator that is the first-line drug for feline systemic hypertension (commonly secondary to chronic kidney disease or hyperthyroidism). Indications include feline systemic hypertension (CKD, hyperthyroidism); canine systemic hypertension (adjunct, often with an ACE inhibitor). This monograph lists 3 reference doses for dogs and cats, each with route, frequency and source.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/amlodipine · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Cardiovascular
- **Also known as:** Norvasc, Amodip
- **Species with doses:** Dogs and Cats
- **General dose range:** 0.1–0.5 mg/kg PO q24h — check the species tables for the indication
- **Routes:** PO
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Feline systemic hypertension (CKD, hyperthyroidism)
- Canine systemic hypertension (adjunct, often with an ACE inhibitor)

## Amlodipine dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

### Dogs

*Amlodipine doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Systemic hypertension | 0.1–0.5 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |
| Refractory CHF — afterload reduction | 0.1–0.4 mg/kg | PO | q12–24h | — |

- Systemic hypertension: Papich 5e: 2.5 mg per dog or 0.1–0.5 mg/kg q24h PO; 0.5 mg/kg for refractory cases. Plumb’s p.80: CKD hypertension 0.1–0.5 mg/kg PO once daily, usually with an ACE inhibitor (Polzin 2009); step-wise 0.1 then 0.2 mg/kg q24h (Henik 2007). Control may take weeks.
- Refractory CHF — afterload reduction: Plumb’s p.80: advanced mitral valve disease after ACE inhibitor — start 0.1 mg/kg PO twice daily and up-titrate weekly to 0.2–0.4 mg/kg twice daily with blood pressure monitoring (Kraus 2003); 0.1 mg/kg q12–24h up to 0.25 mg/kg (DeFrancesco 2006).

### Cats

*Amlodipine doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Systemic hypertension | 0.625–1.25 mg/cat | PO | q24h | — |

- Systemic hypertension: Papich 5e: 0.625 mg per cat q24h initially (⅛ of a 5 mg tablet), increasing to 1.25 mg per cat if needed; average about 0.18 mg/kg once daily. Plumb’s p.80: 0.625 mg per cat q24h (1.25 mg if over 6 kg), adding an ACE inhibitor if proteinuric (Henik 2007); maximum effect within 7 days.

## Contraindications

Hypotension, significant aortic stenosis. Caution in advanced heart failure / cardiogenic shock. Reduce / monitor in marked hepatic impairment.

## Adverse effects

- Hypotension, lethargy
- Reflex tachycardia (uncommon)
- Gingival hyperplasia with chronic use (occasional)

## Drug interactions

- Other antihypertensives / ACE inhibitors / diuretics: additive hypotension
- CYP3A inhibitors (ketoconazole, diltiazem): raise amlodipine plasma levels
- NSAIDs: blunt the antihypertensive effect

## Pregnancy and lactation

Safety not established in pregnancy / lactation — use only if benefit outweighs risk.

## Monitoring

- Systolic blood pressure 7–10 days after starting / adjusting, then periodically
- Renal values and electrolytes (often hypertensive CKD cats)
- Target SBP < 160 mmHg to reduce ocular / CNS target-organ damage

## Toxicity and overdose

Overdose causes profound vasodilatory hypotension, reflex tachycardia and, in large ingestions, cardiogenic shock; effects can be prolonged owing to the long half-life.

Management: IV fluids; for refractory hypotension use calcium gluconate, vasopressors and high-dose insulin–euglycaemia therapy as for calcium-channel-blocker toxicosis. Monitor BP and ECG; consider lipid emulsion in massive ingestion.

## Clinical pearls

- First-line for the hypertensive cat — protects against retinal detachment / blindness, so check blood pressure in any CKD or hyperthyroid cat
- The 1.25 mg feline tablet makes accurate dosing far easier than splitting human 5 mg tablets
- In dogs it usually supplements, rather than replaces, RAAS blockade

## Mechanism of action

Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker. Blocks L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle, producing peripheral arteriolar vasodilation and reduced systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure, with little effect on cardiac contractility or conduction at therapeutic doses.

## Formulations and products

- Amlodipine 1.25 mg tablet (Amodip, feline)
- Amlodipine 2.5 mg tablet
- Amlodipine 5 mg tablet
- Amodip (Ceva) — 1.25 mg, Palatable feline tablet
- Amlong — 2.5 / 5 / 10 mg, Tablet (human-label)
- Stamlo — 2.5 / 5 / 10 mg, Tablet (human-label)

## Storage

Store at 15–30 °C, dry, protected from light.

## Before you use this dose

> **Caution:** Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

## Other cardiovascular drugs

- [Amiodarone](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/amiodarone)
- [Atenolol](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/atenolol)
- [Benazepril](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/benazepril)
- [Captopril](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/captopril)
- [Carvedilol](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/carvedilol)
- [Digoxin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/digoxin)
- [Diltiazem](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/diltiazem)
- [Dobutamine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/dobutamine)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Amlodipine for dogs?

Reference doses for Amlodipine in dogs: 0.1–0.5 mg/kg PO q24h (Systemic hypertension); 0.1–0.4 mg/kg PO q12–24h (Refractory CHF — afterload reduction). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Amlodipine for cats?

Reference doses for Amlodipine in cats: 0.625–1.25 mg/cat PO q24h (Systemic hypertension). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Amlodipine not be used?

Hypotension, significant aortic stenosis. Caution in advanced heart failure / cardiogenic shock. Reduce / monitor in marked hepatic impairment.

### What are the side effects of Amlodipine in animals?

Hypotension, lethargy; Reflex tachycardia (uncommon); Gingival hyperplasia with chronic use (occasional).

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- AAFP guidelines
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition

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VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.