A dose of reserpine 0.5 mg/day or greater achieved the SBP effects .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Reserpine is effective in reducing SBP roughly to the same degree as other first-line antihypertensive drugs .
BACKGROUND Many antihypertensive agents exist today for the treatment of primary hypertension ( systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg , or both ) .
R and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) have been carried out to investigate the evidence for these agents .
There is , for example , strong RCT evidence that thiazides reduce mortality and morbidity .
Some of those trials used reserpine as a second-line therapy .
However , the dose-related blood pressure reduction with this agent is not known .
OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this review was to quantify the dose-related efficacy of reserpine versus placebo or no treatment in reducing systolic blood pressure ( SBP ) or diastolic blood pressure ( DBP ) , or both .
We also aim ed to evaluate the dose-related effects of reserpine  on mean arterial blood pressure ( MAP ) and heart rate ( HR ) , as well as the dose-related effects on withdrawals due to adverse events .
Antihypertensive properties of cryptenamine used with reserpine and methyclothiazide.
Abstract By a double‐blind crossover method , the hypotensive effects and side effects of cryptenamine were studied in 22 patients with Group 1 or 2 essential hypertension . The dosage administered was 2.5 mg . of methyclothiazide alone and a combination of 2.5 mg . of methyclothiazide and : ( a ) 2.0 mg . of cryptenamine , ( b ) 0.1 mg . of reserpine , and ( c ) 1.0 mg . of cryptenamine and 0.1 mg . of reserpine . Each preparation was administered four times each day for 8 weeks . The mean decrease in diastolic blood pressure with methyclothiazide alone was 10.5 mm . Hg ; with methyclothiazide and cryptenamine , 15 mm . Hg ; with methyclothiazide and reserpine , 21.6 mm . Hg ; and with methyclothiazide , reserpine , and cryptenanmine , 23.5 mm . Hg . Two patients receiving methyclothiazide and cryptenamine were unable to complete the study because of nausea or depression . Mild side effects were more frequent with the combinations . Hypokalemia was noted in 50 % of the patients , and small increases in levels of uric acid , urea , and blood sugar were without complication
A dose of reserpine 0.5 mg/day or greater achieved the SBP effects .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Reserpine is effective in reducing SBP roughly to the same degree as other first-line antihypertensive drugs .
BACKGROUND Many antihypertensive agents exist today for the treatment of primary hypertension ( systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg , or both ) .
R and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) have been carried out to investigate the evidence for these agents .
There is , for example , strong RCT evidence that thiazides reduce mortality and morbidity .
Some of those trials used reserpine as a second-line therapy .
However , the dose-related blood pressure reduction with this agent is not known .
OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this review was to quantify the dose-related efficacy of reserpine versus placebo or no treatment in reducing systolic blood pressure ( SBP ) or diastolic blood pressure ( DBP ) , or both .
We also aim ed to evaluate the dose-related effects of reserpine  on mean arterial blood pressure ( MAP ) and heart rate ( HR ) , as well as the dose-related effects on withdrawals due to adverse events .