reserpine

Q: What is reserpine?

Reserpine is a [rauwolfia alkaloid](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4566472/). It's made from the *Rauwolfia* plant species and has been historically used to treat high blood pressure and mental health conditions like schizophrenia. It works by lowering the amount of certain chemicals in your body, like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

Q: Is reserpine still available?

No, reserpine is no longer available in the United States.

Q: Why was reserpine discontinued?

It's unclear why reserpine was discontinued, but it could be because of low demand. Reserpine is a very old medication and was used in early civilization in the plant form. It was one of the first blood pressure and mental health medications available. Reserpine has many side effects, like sedation, dry mouth, headaches, and stomach upset. Over the years, many newer medications have been developed for these conditions that are [stronger, better tolerated, and more commonly used](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548348/) than reserpine.

Generic Serpasil

Used for Hypertension

Reserpine is used to treat high blood pressure and mental health conditions like schizophrenia. It's rarely used nowadays because there are many newer medications available for these conditions. This medication has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States.

Reviewed by:

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Cydnee Ng, PharmD

Last reviewed on November 15, 2021

What is Reserpine?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Serpasil(brand no longer available)
Drug Class	Rauwolfia alkaloid
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Discontinued

Common Brands

Serpasil(brand no longer available)

Drug Class

Rauwolfia alkaloid

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Discontinued

Common questions about Reserpine

Reserpine is a rauwolfia alkaloid. It's made from the Rauwolfia plant species and has been historically used to treat high blood pressure and mental health conditions like schizophrenia. It works by lowering the amount of certain chemicals in your body, like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

No, Reserpine is no longer available in the United States.

It's unclear why Reserpine was discontinued, but it could be because of low demand. Reserpine is a very old medication and was used in early civilization in the plant form. It was one of the first blood pressure and mental health medications available. Reserpine has many side effects, like sedation, dry mouth, headaches, and stomach upset. Over the years, many newer medications have been developed for these conditions that are stronger, better tolerated, and more commonly used than Reserpine.

reserpine

What is Reserpine?

Drug facts

Common questions about Reserpine

Reserpine dosage

Typical dosage for Reserpine

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Common questions about Reserpine

What is Reserpine?

Drug facts

Common questions about Reserpine

What is Reserpine?

Is Reserpine still available?

Why was Reserpine discontinued?

Reserpine dosage

Typical dosage for Reserpine

Common questions about Reserpine

What is Reserpine?

Is Reserpine still available?

Why was Reserpine discontinued?