Why it is Prescribed
Reserpine is used to treat high blood pressure. It works by decreasing your heart rate and relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body. It also is used to treat severe agitation in patients with mental disorders.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How it Works
Reserpine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once daily. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take reserpine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than ...
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Why it is Prescribed
Reserpine is used to treat high blood pressure. It works by decreasing your heart rate and relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body. It also is used to treat severe agitation in patients with mental disorders.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How it Works
Reserpine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once daily. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take reserpine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Reserpine controls high blood pressure or symptoms of agitation, but does not cure them. Continue to take reserpine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking reserpine without talking to your doctor. Abruptly stopping reserpine may increase blood pressure and cause unwanted side effects.
Overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Precautions
Before taking reserpine,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to reserpine, aspirin, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and medications), or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), digoxin (Lanoxin), doxepin (Adepin, Sinequan), ephedrine, epinephrine, imipramine (Tofranil), MAO inhibitors [phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate)], methylphenidate (Ritalin), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), phenylephrine, protriptyline (Vivactil), quinidine (Quinaglute), trimipramine (Surmontil), and vitamins.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease, gallstones, ulcers, ulcerative colitis, a history of depression, or electric shock therapy.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become ...
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Possible Side Effects
Reserpine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
dizziness
loss of appetite
diarrhea
upset stomach
vomiting
stuffy nose
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Special Dietary Concerns
Your doctor may prescribe a low-salt or low-sodium diet. Follow these directions carefully.
Storage Conditions
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
