Treatment of renal disorders

Abstract

The invention described herein relates to the use of calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine in the treatment of renal disease in normotensive animals. Also described are new unit doses of amlodipine suitable for the treatment of renal disease in normotensive cats.

1 . The use of a calcium channel blocker optionally in the presence of a anti-hypertensive agent of a different class, such as an agent that reduces the effect of endothelin and/or angiotensin, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of chronic renal failure in normotensive animals.  
     
     
         2 . The use according to  claim 1  wherein the calcium channel blocker is a dihydropyridine.  
     
     
         3 . The use according to any previous claim wherein the calcium channel blocker is amlodipine.  
     
     
         4 . The use according to any previous claim wherein the calcium channel blocker is amlodipine besylate.  
     
     
         5 . A method of treating renal disease in normotensive animals comprising administration of an effective amount of a calcium channel blocker, optionally in the presence of an antihypertensive agent of a different class, such as an agent that reduces the effect of endothelin and/or angiotensin.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5  wherein the calcium channel blocker is a dihydropyridine.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to any of claims  6  or  7  wherein the calcium channel blocker is amlodipine.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to one of claims  5 ,  6  or  7  wherein the calcium channel blocker is amlodipine besylate.  
     
     
         9 . A unit dosage form of amlodipine comprising amlodipine at about 0.1-0.4, or about 0.8 to 1.5 mg, most preferably about 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2 or 1.5 mg amlodipine per unit, preferably with amlodipine present as the besylate salt, optionally in the presence of an antihypertensive agent such as an agent that reduces the effect of endothelin and/or angiotensin, and a pharmaceutical or veterinary carrier, diluent or adjuvant, and which is suitable for the treatment of a companion animal such as a domestic cat.  
     
     
         10 . A unit dosage form according to  claim 9  wherein the available amlodipine is present at about 0.4 mg or 0.8 mg per unit.  
     
     
         11 . A pack comprising a formulation of a calcium channel blocker, optionally in the presence of a hypertensive agent of a different class, such as an agent that reduces the effect of endothelin and/or angiotensin, and a pharmaceutical or veterinary carrier, diluent or adjuvant, suitable for the treatment of a companion animal such as a domestic cat, and instructions describing the treatment of renal disease in normotensive animals.