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.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Reserpine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

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.

Do not stop taking reserpine suddenly. Even if you feel better, you need this medication to control your condition. Stopping suddenly could cause severe high blood pressure, anxiety, and other dangerous side effects.

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol will greatly increase the effects of reserpine, which could be dangerous.

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

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.

Reserpine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether reserpine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take reserpine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Reserpine passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take reserpine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Reserpine has not been approved for use by children.