FDA approves first veterinary amlodipine drug for feline hypertension

The FDA has approved Amodip, an amlodipine besylate chewable tablet, for the control of systemic hypertension in cats, marking the first FDA-approved veterinary amlodipine product and the second FDA-approved drug overall for feline hypertension. The approval was announced April 29, 2026, and dvm360 reported the sponsor as Ceva Santé Animale. FDA said untreated hypertension in cats can damage the eyes, kidneys, heart, and central nervous system, and noted that prescribing veterinarians should monitor blood pressure regularly and adjust dosing as needed. (fda.gov)

Why it matters: Amlodipine has long been used off-label as a mainstay treatment for feline hypertension, especially in cats with chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or hypertensive ocular disease. Published guidance from the International Society of Feline Medicine recommends amlodipine as first-line therapy, and prior clinical trial data on a chewable feline formulation showed significant blood pressure reduction versus placebo. A labeled veterinary product could make dosing, palatability, client communication, and compliance easier in practice, while giving clinicians an FDA-reviewed option for a condition where delayed treatment can mean irreversible target-organ damage, including blindness. (journals.sagepub.com)

What to watch: Watch for the FDA’s Freedom of Information summary, U.S. launch timing, pricing, and whether Amodip changes how practices approach off-label human amlodipine use in hypertensive cats. (fda.gov)