Mental Depression in Hypertensive Patients Treated for Long Periods with Large Doses of Reserpine

Abstract

THE introduction of Rauwolfia serpentina into this country by Wilkins and Judson¹ and the purification of an active alkaloid, reserpine (Serpasil), has led to the widespread clinical use of the latter drug not only in hypertension^{2 , 3} but also in neuropsychiatric conditions.⁴ The purpose of this report is to describe the development of psychiatric complications in hypertensive patients treated with large doses of reserpine for long periods.Case ReportsCase 1. Mrs. I.K., a 54-year-old widow, had mild hypertension for 1 year associated with headache and substernal pain. Since the death of her husband 2 years previously she had been more . . .