$Unique_ID{BRK02127}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{RESERPINE}
$Subject{reserpine (various manufacturers)
Serpalan (Lannett)
Serpasil (Ciba)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


RESERPINE
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     reserpine (various manufacturers)
     Serpalan (Lannett)
     Serpasil (Ciba)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Antihypertensive
INGREDIENT:
     reserpine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (0.1 mg, 0.25 mg, and 1 mg)
     Sustained-release capsules (0.5 mg)
STORAGE:
     Reserpine tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature in
       tightly closed, light-resistant containers.

USES:
     Reserpine is used to treat high blood pressure.  It works by depleting
certain chemicals from the nervous system that are responsible for maintaining
high blood pressure.

TREATMENT

     To avoid stomach irritation, you can take reserpine with food or with a
full glass of water or milk (unless your doctor directs otherwise).  Try to
take reserpine at the same time(s) each day, to become accustomed to taking
it.
     The sustained-release form of this medication should be swallowed whole.
Chewing, crushing, or breaking these capsules destroys their sustained-release
activity and possibly increases the side effects.
     Reserpine does not cure hypertension, but it will help to control the
condition as long as you continue to take it.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose.  In that case, do not
take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do
not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Abdominal pain, constipation, decrease in sexual desire, diarrhea,
dizziness, dry mouth, headache, impotence, loss of appetite, nasal congestion,
nausea, nosebleeds, vomiting, or weight gain.  These side effects should
disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
     To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
     To relieve mouth dryness, chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a
piece of hard candy.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
anxiety; black, tarry stools; chest pain; depression; difficulty in urinating;
drowsiness; enlarged breasts (in both sexes); fainting; fatigue; flushing of
the skin; hearing loss; itching; muscle aches; nervousness; nightmares;
palpitations; pinpoint pupils of eyes; rapid weight gain (three to five pounds
within a week); rash; severe dizziness; shortness of breath; tremors; unusual
bleeding or bruising; or weakness.

INTERACTIONS

     Reserpine interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. Concurrent use of reserpine with central nervous system depressants,
such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers,
muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, phenothiazine tranquilizers,
and sleeping medications, or with tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme
drowsiness.
     2. Reserpine can increase the side effects of digoxin, beta blockers, and
quinidine and can decrease the effectiveness of levodopa.
     3. Methotrimeprazine can increase the blood-pressure-lowering effects of
reserpine, which can be dangerous.
     4. Tricyclic antidepressants can decrease the blood-pressure-lowering
effects of reserpine.
     5. Concurrent use of reserpine and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors can
lead to severe side effects.  At least 14 days should separate the use of this
drug and the use of an MAO inhibitor.
     Before starting reserpine, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any drugs
you are taking, especially those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to reserpine or to any rauwolfia alkaloids.
     * Before starting to take this medication, be sure to tell your doctor if
you now have or if you have ever had arrhythmias, epilepsy, gallstones or
gallbladder disease, heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease, mental
depression, Parkinson's disease, peptic ulcers, pheochromocytoma, or
ulcerative colitis.
     * Reserpine should not be used within two weeks of electroshock therapy.
     * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous machinery.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental procedure, tell
your doctor or dentist you are taking this drug.
     * Before taking any over-the-counter (nonprescription) cough, cold,
sinus, asthma, allergy, or diet medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Some of these products may increase your blood pressure.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Reserpine has been
reported to cause birth defects in infants whose mothers received the drug
during pregnancy.  Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
Reserpine can pass into breast milk and cause side effects in the nursing
infant.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
