Cortisol, Prolactin and Growth Hormone Levels with Clinical Ratings in Manic Patients Treated with Verapamil

Six bipolar patients in a manic episode were treated with the calcium antagonist verapamil. A decrease in the level of psychopathology was noted in 5 of the 6, though there was a tendency for patients to relapse in the third week of treatment. Cortisol levels decreased steadily with clinical improvement while growth hormone levels tended to rise. In contrast to traditional antipsychotics verapamil did not alter prolactin levels. Its neuroendocrine profile suggests its therapeutic effects are not mediated by dopamine receptor blockade.