Reserpine

Pharmacologic Category

Central Monoamine-Depleting Agent; Rauwolfia Alkaloid

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to reserpine or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have any of the following conditions: Depression, ulcerative colitis, or ulcer disease.

• If you have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this medicine is started. Taking the two together could cause dangerously high blood pressure.

• If you are receiving electroconvulsive shock therapy (ECT).

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure.

• This medicine is used to treat schizophrenia.

How does it work?

• Reserpine lowers blood pressure by decreasing levels of certain chemicals in the body.

• It helps clear your thinking.

• It works on improving social interactions, mood, expression of mood, as well as, delusions, paranoia, and appearance.

How is it best taken?

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

• If you are allergic to tartrazine, talk with healthcare provider. Some products contain tartrazine.

• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.

• If you have asthma, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have gallstones, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have inflammatory bowel disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have Parkinson's disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain medicine.

• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Nasal congestion.

• Change in sexual ability or desire. This is usually reversible.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.

• Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Swelling of feet or hands.

• Significant weight gain.

• Black, tarry, or bloody stools.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from light.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 15:31:22.0

Modified: 2008-01-28 15:13:35.0

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