Verapamil prevents cerebral acidosis during moderate hypoxia and hypotension.

Carotid ligation and moderate hypoxia in rats causes an increase in the glucose metabolic rate in the caudate-putamen and more widespread reductions in pH. Pretreatment of animals with verapamil did not affect the abnormality of glucose metabolism but abolished the associated acidosis. These data suggest that calcium channel blockade may protect the brain from injury during hypoxic hypoxia by preventing the development of acidosis.