Reserpine in Severe Hypertension

Methoserpidine

“…or more was reported in 58-76% of patients in the previous methoserpidine trials (see Table IV), the corresponding figures for reserpinetreated cases ranging from 41.5% in the study by Platt and Sears (1956) to 53% in my own patients (Table II). Depression, which was virtually absent among patients treated with methoserpidine, occurred in 15% of Locket's (1955) series and forced the termination of treatment with reserpine in 18.5% of the cases reported by Platt and Sears (1956), the depression in two subjects being severe enough to lead to suicidal attempts. Nasal congestion, often severe in reserpine-treated cases, has been mild and infrequent among those receiving methoserpidine, and other reserpine side-effects such as gain in weight and diarrhoea seem to be extremely rare, although lethargy or drowsiness is reported in a few patients.…”

“…Unfortunately, its usefulness may be limited by side-effects, which can be severe. Platt and Sears (1956), for example, were forced to discontinue treatment because of mental depression in 10 out of 54 cases, and found that over half the patients complained of drowsiness and nasal stuffiness. Palmer (1961) has pointed out that rauwolfia alkaloids may cause mild suppression of mental alertness and diminished intellectual capacity, which can be serious in brain workers.…”

Some Aspects of Prognosis in Treated Hypertension

“…Whilst appreciating the occasional difficulty in making the distinction, we have attempted throughout to differentiate and exclude from this group cases with arteriosclerotic retinitis (Moore, t917). The classification of Keith et al (1939) does not distinguish arteriosclerotic retinitis from hypertensive neuroretinopathy, and we are in sympathy with those authorities who have criticized its use (Pickering, 1955;Platt, 1956;Turner, 1956). Though the presence of papilloedema implies a rather worse prognosis, as we shall confirm, Smirk (1957) considers that patients with only haemorrhages and exudates need as careful treatment as those with papilloedema.…”

Drug-Induced Mood Disorders

“…Lemieux et al (45) observed that 30 of the 195 patients on Rauwolfia developed depression manifesting feelings of sadness, discouragement, lack of ambition and energy, crying spells, lack of interest and worrying over trifling matters. Additional reports have come from all over the world (42,43,(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51). Depression following reserpine among hypertensive patients (52,53) and among patients with dermatological problems (54) …”