A rauwolfia medicine for high blood pressure, similar to reserpine
Deserpidine
An old, now obsolete blood-pressure medicine very similar to reserpine.
What is Deserpidine?
Deserpidine is an old blood-pressure medicine and a rauwolfia alkaloid, very similar to reserpine. It lowers blood pressure by depleting the body's stores of chemical messengers (catecholamines), which also explains its side effects. Like reserpine, it can cause depression, drowsiness and a slow heart rate. It is now obsolete and rarely used, because of these effects and because safer modern blood-pressure medicines are available. It is included here mainly for completeness and historical understanding.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Deserpidine — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Deserpidine is an older medicine that was used to treat high blood pressure. It is a rauwolfia alkaloid, derived from the rauwolfia plant, and is closely related to reserpine, working in essentially the same way. It is taken by mouth. Like reserpine, it has largely fallen out of use in the UK because of its side effects and because newer blood-pressure medicines are safer and easier to manage. It is now essentially of historical interest rather than a current treatment.
How it works
Deserpidine works like reserpine, by emptying nerve cells of their stores of chemical messengers called catecholamines, particularly noradrenaline, which normally keep blood vessels tightened and the heart active. With less of these messengers available, blood vessels relax and the heart slows slightly, so blood pressure falls. Because these messengers also affect mood, alertness and other functions, depleting them throughout the body explains the medicine's side effects, including low mood, drowsiness and a slow heart rate. This broad action is the reason it, like reserpine, has been replaced by more targeted modern treatments.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Generic (historical).
An old rauwolfia-derived blood-pressure medicine, very similar to reserpine, now obsolete because of side effects and the availability of safer treatments.
What it treats
Conditions Deserpidine is used for
Practical use
How to take Deserpidine
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is now largely obsolete; modern blood-pressure medicines are used instead.
- If ever used, it is taken by mouth as directed, usually at a low dose.
- Do not stop blood-pressure treatment suddenly without advice.
- Report any low mood, loss of interest or thoughts of self-harm promptly, as it can cause depression.
- Tell your prescriber about any history of depression, stomach ulcers or a slow heart rate before use.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Deserpidine
Advantages
- Historically lowered high blood pressure as one of the early treatments available.
- Of value mainly for understanding the history of blood-pressure treatment.
- Largely replaced by modern medicines that are safer and better tolerated.
Disadvantages
- Can cause depression, like its close relative reserpine.
- Commonly causes drowsiness, a slow heart rate and a stuffy nose.
- Works slowly, with effects that linger after stopping; now obsolete.
Practical use
Good to know
Deserpidine shares the same key cautions as reserpine, so the most important thing to know is that it can cause depression, along with drowsiness and a slow heart rate. Anyone taking it who develops low mood, loss of interest or thoughts of self-harm should seek help promptly, and it should not be used by people with a history of depression. It can also cause a stuffy nose and dizziness, particularly on standing, as blood pressure falls. Like reserpine, it works slowly and its effects can linger after it is stopped. Because of these effects, and because much safer blood-pressure medicines now exist, deserpidine is considered obsolete and is rarely chosen today.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People with a history of depression should not take it, because it can cause or worsen low mood.
- People with active stomach ulcers should avoid it, as it can stimulate stomach acid.
- People with a very slow heart rate or certain heart problems should avoid it.
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to it should not take it.
Monitoring
- Watching closely for low mood or depression.
- Checking blood pressure and heart rate.
- Reviewing for other side effects such as nasal congestion and drowsiness.
Side effects
- Depression, sometimes with thoughts of self-harm.
- Drowsiness or sedation.
- A slow heart rate and a stuffy or blocked nose.
- Dizziness on standing, and stomach upset.
Key interactions
- It adds to the blood-pressure-lowering and sedating effects of other such medicines and alcohol.
- It can interact dangerously with certain antidepressants known as MAOIs.
- Care is needed with medicines that slow the heart, as the effects can combine.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth (historical).
Answers
Deserpidine: frequently asked questions
What was deserpidine used for?
It was an old medicine used to lower high blood pressure, closely related to reserpine, before safer modern treatments became available.
How is it related to reserpine?
Deserpidine is a rauwolfia alkaloid very similar to reserpine; it works in essentially the same way and shares the same side effects.
Can it cause depression?
Yes, like reserpine it can cause depression, along with drowsiness and a slow heart rate, so any low mood should be reported promptly.
Is it still used today?
It is now largely obsolete in the UK, because of its side effects and because modern blood-pressure medicines are safer and easier to use.
What other side effects can it cause?
As well as depression, it commonly causes drowsiness, a slow heart rate and a stuffy nose, and can cause dizziness on standing.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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