Use of verapamil as a P-glycoprotein inhibitor in patients with drug-resistant depression

Abstract

Drug-resistant depression is a common occurrence in clinical practice. Current antidepressant therapies have a high failure rate. A P-glycoprotein as a blood-brain barrier component could limit the distribution of these drugs into the brain. Verapamil is the most extensively characterized P-gp inhibitor and probably verapamil prevents up-regulation of P-gp expression. Co-administration of P-gp inhibitors with P-gp-substarate drugs (antidepressants) represents a potential strategy to overcome drug resistance.