[Calcium channel blockers as antidepressants--a property of the class or of the individual preparation?].

Only did nifedipine and fendiline decrease immobilization time in mice in the tail suspension test. 5-Hydroxytryptophan-induced head-twitches were slightly (insignificantly) diminished by nifedipine and verapamil. The two drugs potentiated the hypothermic action of reserpine. Fendiline and cinnarizine increased the effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan, but did not modify the effect of reserpine. Diltiazem was virtually inactive in these tests. All the calcium channel blockers decreased the cataleptic action of haloperidol. It is concluded that nifedipine and fendiline are promising in stress-induced reactive depression.