What is Amlodipine used for?

Amlodipine is indicated for: hypertension, Hyperthyroid-associated hypertension, Pulmonary hypertension adjunct, Systemic hypertension, Vasodilation.

Which species have cited Amlodipine dosing data?

Amlodipine dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 4 species: African Grey Parrot, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Ferret.

Is Amlodipine a controlled substance?

Amlodipine is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Amlodipine

US brand names:Norvasc, Amodip

Also known as: Amlodipine Besylate

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Amlodipine is dosed at 0.2–0.4 mg/kg PO q12h in ferrets, per Johnson-Delaney CA. Formulary Ferret Medicine and Surgery, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL; 2017:457-467. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.946 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.7 (Cardiopulmonary Agents Used in Ferrets). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Cardiovascular

Routes

Indications

hypertension Hyperthyroid-associated hypertension

Mechanism of Action

Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. Relaxes vascular smooth muscle, reducing peripheral vascular resistance and systemic blood pressure.

Side effects & warnings

First-line antihypertensive in cats. Monitor blood pressure during dose titration. Hypotension at excessive doses. May cause gingival hyperplasia with prolonged use.

Evidence levels across 7 dose rules

Moderate×2Weak×2Strong×3

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (2 of 7 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 4 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Cat (Domestic)	PO	0.125–0.5 mg/kg	q24h	Strong	Amodip® Chewable Tablets for Cats [UK Datasheet]. Ceva Animal Health Ltd; 2016. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.62, Amlodipine monograph spanning p.62-64.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Dog (Domestic)	PO	0.05–0.1 mg/kg	q24h	Strong	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.62, Amlodipine monograph spanning p.62-64.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

Backed by 6 published sourcesShow

· 280. Fink D, Mans C. Use of amlodipine in psittacine birds: 5 cases (2010-2018). J Avian Med Surg; 2021:155-160. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.489 doi:10.1647/19-00016 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds).
· Acierno MJ, Brown S, Coleman AE, et al. ACVIM consensus statement: guidelines for the identification, evaluation, and management of systemic hypertension in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2018;32:1803-1822. / 26. Keene BW, Atkins CE, Bonagura JD, et al. ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33:1127-1140. doi:10.1111/jvim.15331 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.62, Amlodipine monograph spanning p.62-64.
· Amodip® Chewable Tablets for Cats [UK Datasheet]. Ceva Animal Health Ltd; 2016. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.62, Amlodipine monograph spanning p.62-64.
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· Johnson-Delaney CA. Formulary Ferret Medicine and Surgery, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL; 2017:457-467. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.946 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.7 (Cardiopulmonary Agents Used in Ferrets).