Calcium antagonists and endocrine status: lack of effect of oral verapamil on pituitary-testicular and pituitary-thyroid function.

Calcium ions seem to be essential for the release of many hormones. The calcium antagonist verapamil which is used as an anti-arrhythmic and anti-anginal agent has an inhibitory effect on the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), and thyrotrophin stimulating hormone (TSH) when given as an intravenous infusion to normal volunteers. As verapamil is usually given orally we studied pituitary-testicular and pituitary-thyroid function before and after completing a 4-week course of oral verapamil. The oral preparation did not have any significant effect on the endocrine parameters studied.