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|reserpine Reserpine

reserpine

Generic Name: reserpine (re SER peen)
Brand Names:

What is reserpine?

Reserpine lowers blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in your blood. This allows your blood vessels (veins and arteries) to relax (widen) and your heart to beat more slowly and easily.

Reserpine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

Reserpine is also sometimes used to treat psychotic states such as schizophrenia.

Reserpine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about reserpine?

Use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position, especially first thing in the morning. You may become dizzy while taking reserpine and you may fall and injure yourself if you get up quickly.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.

Who should not take reserpine?

Do not take reserpine without first talking to your doctor if you

• have peptic ulcer disease (stomach ulcers);

• have ulcerative colitis;

• are suffering from depression (especially if you have suicidal thoughts);

• are receiving electroconvulsive shock therapy; or

• are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) or have taken one in the last 14 days.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• gallstones,

• kidney disease,

• asthma, or

• any type of heart disease.

You may require a lower dose or special monitoring during therapy with reserpine if you have any of the conditions listed above.

How should I take reserpine?

Take reserpine exactly as directed. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Do not stop taking reserpine suddenly. Stopping suddenly could make your condition much worse or cause very serious side effects.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a reserpine overdose include low blood pressure (fainting, dizziness, weakness); slow pulse; low body temperature; diarrhea; and slow breathing.

What should I avoid while taking reserpine?

Use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position, especially first thing in the morning. You may become dizzy while taking reserpine and you may fall and injure yourself if you get up quickly.

Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather or during exercise. Also avoid standing for long periods of time and use caution if you have a fever. These situations increase the effects of reserpine in your body, and you may become very dizzy.

Do not take other drugs such as sleeping pills, prescription pain relievers, antihistamines, or antidepressants without first talking to your doctor. These medicines may increase the drowsiness caused by reserpine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any other prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.

Reserpine side effects

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• a very irregular heartbeat;

• heart failure (shortness of breath, swelling of ankles or legs, sudden weight gain of 5 pounds or more);

• uncontrollable hand, arm, or leg movements; or

• chest pain.

Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue to take reserpine and talk to your doctor if you experience

• fatigue or drowsiness;

• dizziness (avoid standing up too quickly and use caution when performing hazardous activities);

• anxiety, depression, or nightmares;

• diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting (take reserpine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach);

• stuffy nose or a dry mouth (sucking on ice chips or sugarless hard candy may relieve a dry mouth);

• blurred vision;

• weight gain; or

• impotence or difficulty ejaculating.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect reserpine?

Do not take reserpine if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or if you have taken one in the last 14 days. MAOIs, used to treat depression, include isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Before taking reserpine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;

• quinidine (Cardioquin); or

• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps).

You may require special monitoring or a dose adjustment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Reserpine may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine unless your doctor approves.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with reserpine or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about reserpine written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Reserpine is available in several generic formulations. Brand names include Serpalan and Serpasil. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.