A method for controlling a self-energizing disc brake having an electric actuator in which an activation force applied to the actuator is amplified using a self-energizing device arranged between the actuator and brake lining is described. The method has a brake application unit for applying at least one brake lining to one side of a brake disc by carrying out an application movement of the brake lining relative to the brake disc, the application movement having at least a first movement component in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of the brake disc and a second movement component in a direction tangential to the rotational axis of the brake disc. The method includes also controlling at least one electromotive drive for activating the brake application unit. Rotation of the shaft of the electromotive drive is converted to a non-linear displacement of the brake pad in the tangential direction.