Calcium receptor antagonists modify cocaine effects in the central nervous system differently.

The effect of different calcium antagonists on cocaine-induced dopamine (DA) release in the striatum, as measured by brain microdialysis in freely moving rats, and on cocaine-induced motor stimulation was studied. While two dihydropyridine calcium antagonists, nimodipine (20 mg/kg) and isradipine (2.5 mg/kg), prevented cocaine-induced DA release and motor stimulation, the diphenylalkylamine-type calcium antagonist flunarizine (20 mg/kg) strongly potentiated both effects of cocaine. Moreover, two calcium antagonists, verapamil (20 mg/kg) and diltiazem (20 mg/kg), were ineffective. The results indicate that various classes of calcium antagonists differ in their interaction with the effects of cocaine in the CNS and suggest that dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists might be clinically useful for the treatment of cocaine abuse.