Drug Action

• According to Drugs.com, reserpine lowers blood pressure and agitation by reducing the levels of brain chemicals such as serotonin and norepinephrine.
  
  

Side Effects

• Reserpine may cause dry mouth, drowsiness or dizziness. Headaches, muscle aches and nausea have also been reported.
  
  

Overdose

• An overdose of reserpine requires immediate medical help and can cause seizures, constricted pupils or loss of consciousness. Red eyes, increased saliva and a slow pulse may occur.
  
  

Precautions

• Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should speak with a doctor about the appropriate use of reserpine for their hypertension. People with a peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis or a history of depression should not take reserpine for hypertension.
  
  

Drug Interactions

• The side effects of reserpine may be increased in patients who use MAO inhibitor drugs. Tricyclic antidepressant drugs can reduce the effectiveness of reserpine.