The Response of Stroke Patients to Very Small Doses of Parenteral Reserpine

Abstract

Despite the conventional recommendation that reserpine administered parenterally in doses of 2.5 to 10 mg is a safe agent for the treatment of hypertensive crises, the authors observed 10 cases who responded remarkably to much smaller doses. Al of these patients had suffered recent "strokes". Their responses are tabulated, and 3 cases are reported in some detail. The relationship of these unusual responses to the central and peripheral actions of reserpine is considered.