Devapamil (3 μM) reduced L-type calcium currents (ICa) to 16.1 +/- 8.6%, 11 +/- 8.9%, and 9.3 +/- 6% of control, respectively. Intracellular application of the same substances, via the patch pipette filled with 30 μM of devapamil, failed to depress ICa. The quaternary derivatives of the phenylalkylamines (30 microM) were ineffective both when applied extracellularly or intracellularly. It is suggested that phenylalkylamines block ICa in ventricular myocytes by acting on a binding site of the calcium channel molecule located at the outer surface of the cell membrane.[3]