Calcium channel antagonists for the treatment of bipolar disorder

Calcium channel antagonists (CCAs) have many clinical applications, includi ng their possible use in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Two justificati ons for this last application are some overlap in physiological activities of CCAs with those of lithium, and a possible association between bipolar d isorder and calcium dysregulation. While the data from earlier studies supp ort the use of verapamil in treating bipolar mania, more recent better-cont rolled trials have not. This paper reviews the available body of data regar ding CCAs in the treatment of bipolar disorder. concluding there is present ly Limited support for their efficacy.