title: Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of a chewable formulation of amlodipine for the treatment of hypertension in client-owned cats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is an unmet clinical need for a cat-specific formulation of amlodipine to treat hypertensive cats.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of chewable amlodipine tablets in reducing systolic blood pressure (SBP) in cats diagnosed with systemic arterial hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-seven client-owned cats with systemic hypertension were included (median age 14 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled. Forty-two cats received 0.125-0.50 mg/kg amlodipine once daily for 28 days; 35 cats received placebo. After 28 days all cats continued with amlodipine for 2-3 months in an open-label phase. Blood pressure was measured using high definition oscillometry. A responder was defined as a cat showing a decrease of SBP to <150 mmHg at 28 days or a decrease from baseline ≥15%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-one cats completed the study. The responder rate was 63% in amlodipine group and 18% in placebo group. Cats receiving amlodipine were 7.9 (95% CI 2.6-24.1) times more likely to be classified as responders when compared to those receiving placebo (P < .001). From a mean (±SD) baseline value of 181 (±12) mmHg, SBP decreased to 154 (±17) mmHg with amlodipine and to 170 (±21) mmHg with placebo (P < .001). The voluntary acceptance rate of amlodipine formulation was 73%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The chewable amlodipine tablet effectively reduced SBP compared with placebo in hypertensive cats, and was well-tolerated. It can be used concomitantly with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and in cats with chronic kidney disease.
authors: Orion Corporation Orion Pharma, Turku, Finland.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Huhtinen
authors: Clinique Vétérinaire de la Plage, Marseille, France.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Derré
authors: Tierarztpraxis Renoldi, Neuwied, Germany.
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Renoldi
authors: MEVET, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Rinkinen
authors: Klifovet AG, Munich, Germany.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Adler
authors: Orion Corporation Orion Pharma, Turku, Finland.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Aspegrén
authors: Ceva-Sogeval, Laval, France.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Zemirline
authors: Royal Veterinary College, London, UK.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Elliott
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D017311:Amlodipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002415:Cats; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D013607:Tablets
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D013607:Tablets; D017311:Amlodipine
keywords: Calcium channel blocker; Cardiovascular agents; Evidence based medicine; Feline; High definition oscillometry