Amlodipine in Veterinary Practice
Amlodipine has been used to treat high blood pressure in humans, but it has now been approved for veterinary practice. It is given to cats and dogs to treat hypertension and other associated diseases.
About Amlodipine
This drug is classified as a calcium channel blocker. The heart and arteries contract more forcefully when calcium is present, thus calcium channel blockers relax and widen blood arteries by inhibiting calcium. This effect will lower the blood pressure which prevents heart diseases, heart attacks and strokes.
Fig.1 Chemical Structure of Amlodipine
Side effects
Like all medicines, amlodipine can have side effects. In animals, common side effects include vomiting, lack of appetite, diarrhea and sleepiness (1). Serious side effects such as severe weakness, changes in urination, abnormal bleeding or rapid heart rate are rare, but can also occur (1).
Hypertension in Cats
Hypertension in cats is a moderately frequent and possibly fatal condition. The most prevalent kind of hypertension in cats is secondary hypertension, which is caused by an underlying systemic condition that impairs the body’s regulatory mechanisms responsible for maintaining normal blood pressure (2). Among these conditions, chronic kidney disease and hyperthyroidism are the most common (2).
Injury to organs can happen due to hypertension. The most prevalent target organ injury found in cats with hypertension is ocular disorders, which can range from retinal detachment resulting in blindness to more subtle indications like hemorrhage or swelling in the back of the eye (2).
Hence, not only can amlodipine treat hypertension, but it can also be given to cats to prevent damage to kidneys, heart, brain, and eyes.
Analysis of Amlodipine in Feline Plasma
Using our HPLC system and LC-MS, we have examined amlodipine in feline plasma. The LLOQ and ULOQ were set for the method as 0.5 ng/ml and 100ng/ml respectively for Amlodipine. The Limit of Detection was calculated as -0.001 ng/ml in feline plasma.
References
- Rania Gollakner. Amlodipine. (Internet) VCA. (cited on 2021 Jul) Available from: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/amlodipine-besylate
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Hypertension: Feline hypertension. (Internet) College of Veterinary Medicine. (updated 2021; cited on 2021 Jul) Available from: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/hypertension
