Calcium channel blockers
What are calcium channel blockers for bipolar disorder?
Calcium signalling has long been implicated in bipolar disorder, with reports of altered levels of calcium in people with mania, and the observation that long-term lithium treatment is associated with altered calcium metabolism. These reports prompted investigations of calcium channel blockers (primarily verapamil) as potential treatments for bipolar disorder.
What is the evidence for calcium channel blockers?
Moderate to low quality evidence suggests no differences between verapamil and placebo or lithium for manic symptoms or rates of discontinuation. Low quality evidence is unable to determine side effects of any particular calcium channel blocker medications used by people with bipolar disorder.
November 2021
Image: ©Alon Harel – stock.adobe.com
Last updated at: 4:33 pm, 29th November 2021
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Incidence and prevalence
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Prevalence
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