Reserpine is a pharmacologically active alkaloid derivative prepared from the roots of Rauwolfia serpetina, a small shrub growing wild in certain regions of India and other tropical countries.1It is a crystalline colorless substance which is insoluble in water and moderately soluble in alcohol. Its empirical formula is C33H40O9N2. This drug has several varied pharmacological effects.2 These consist of hypotension, bradycardia, hypothermia, increase in gastrointestinal motility, myosis, and general tranquilization.3Because of its effect in lowering blood pressure, it is used in certain hypertensive states by itself and in combination with other Some of the undesirable effects of this drug in the human are mental depression,5 diarrhea, and weight gain. Headache, dizziness, and nausea are also reported.1 Nasal stuffiness or "congestion" in varying percentages has been noted by several authors.\s=d\ This may be relieved by topical vasoconstrictors and antihistaminics. In the pediatric age group experience with reserpine has been limited. During the month of June, 1954, several newborn infants in our nursery were noted to have nasal discharge shortly after birth.Because of the age of onset, afebrile course, and lack of symptoms in the mothers it was felt that an infectious process was unlikely, and an investigation was made to determine if possible the etiologic agent. We therefore investigated all cases of nasal discharge oc¬ curring during the following three-month period. During that time reserpine, hydralizine (Apresoline) and cryptenamine were being used by the department of obstetrics for the treatment of hypertension associated with toxemia of pregnancy. Meperidine (Demerol) and vinbarbital (Delvinal) were used for their analgesic effects ; chlorpromazine and the barbiturates were employed for sedation, and acetazoleamide (Diamox) was used to reduce edema. The above an¬ algesic agents had been used for a con¬ siderable period of time by the obstetrical department and had never produced nasal discharge. Furthermore no such reactions have been noted from hydralazine, cryp-* References 1-3.t References 1, 6, and 7. Downloaded From: http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/ by a University of Michigan User on 06/17/2015
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