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.

Generic Serpasil

Used for Hypertension

Basics FAQs Dosage Prices Medicare

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

Basics FAQs Dosage Prices Medicare

What is Reserpine?

Drug facts

Common BrandsSerpasil(brand no longer available)

Drug ClassRauwolfia alkaloid

Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication

Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available

AvailabilityDiscontinued

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.