Due to the effect of catecholamine depletion, special care should be exercised when treating patients with a history of bronchial asthma. Asthmatics are more apt to be hypersensitive, and their condition may be aggravated. The patient's reaction time can be impaired, even with low doses of reserpine. Caution should therefore be exercised when driving or operating machinery. The safety of reserpine for use during pregnancy, particularly the first trimester, has not been established, therefore, the drug should be used in pregnancy only when its use is deemed essential to the patient's welfare.
Reserpine crosses the placental barrier.
When administered shortly before term, it may lead to lethargy, nasal congestion, increased tracheobronchial secretions, and anorexia in the newborn infant. It should therefore not be given during the last 3 months prior to the calculated date of confinement. MAO inhibitors are contraindicated since large quantities of catecholamines may be released, causing a sharp transient rise in blood pressure. MAO inhibitors should be withdrawn at least 14 days before treatment with reserpine. Likewise, reserpine must be withdrawn for a similar period of time prior to MAO inhibition.