Summary and conclusions
1. Single, orally administered doses (0.25 mg. to 0.5 mg.) of reserpine such as are used in the management of hypertension, stimulate HCl secretion only mildly; this effect is prevented by simultaneous administration of a therapeutic dose of an anticholinergic drug. Prolonged therapy with reserpine in these doses does not lead to gastric hypersecretion.
2. Single large doses of reserpine (1 mg. or more) given orally or parenterally usually provoke an intense and sustained secretion of acid, not prevented by even large doses of anticholinergics. The cumulative effects of these large doses is unknown.
3. The evidence to date does not establish reserpine as an important ulcerogenic agent.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barrett, W. E.,et al. Effect of reserpine on gastric secretion of the dog.J. Pharmacol. & Exper. Therap. 113:3, 1955.
Barrett, W. E., Ruthedge, R. A., andRogie, B. Action of Serpasil on gastrointestinal motility and secretion.Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. & Med. 13:334, 1954.
Beman, F. M., Knoll, H. C., andDelor, C. J. The effect of reserpine on gastric secretion.Clin. Res. Proc. 3:131, 1955.
Bom, F., Friderichsen, T., andJensen, A. R. Autonomic action of reserpine (Serpasil) especially toward vago-insulin system.Ugesk. laeger 118:329, 1956.
Clark, M. L., andSchneider, E. M. The effect of intravenous reserpine on gastric acidity in man.Gastroenterology 29:877, 1955.
Cummins, J. F., andBalfour, D. C., Jr. Effect of Rauwolfia alkaloids on the excretion of uropepsin in the human.J.A.M.A. 161:864, 1956.
Denney, J. L., Frasher, W. G., andHoytt, D. D. Clinical evaluation of drug therapy in hypertension.Am. J. M. Sc. 230:169, 1955.
Dillon, D., andSwain, J. M. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage as a complication of reserpine administration: Report of two cases.Am. J. Psychiat. 113:462, 1956.
Drenick, E. J. Reserpine in peptic ulcer.Am. J. Digest. Dis. N.S. 1:521, 1956.
Egdahl, R. H., Richards, J. B., andHume, D. M. Effect of reserpine on adrenocortical function in unanesthetized dogs.Science 123:418, 1956.
Haverback, B. J.,et al. Effect of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) and related compounds on gastric secretion and intestinal motility in the dog.Gastroenterology 32:1058, 1957.
Haverback, B. J.,et al. The effects of reserpine and chlorpromazine on gastric secretion.Am. J. M. Sc. 230:601, 1955.
Hollister, L. E. Hematemesis and melena complicating therapy with rauwolfia alkaloids.Arch. Int. Med. 99:218, 1957.
Hollister, L. E. Complications from the use of tranquilizing drugs.New England J. Med. 257:170, 1957.
Hollister, L. E.,et al. Treatment of chronic schizophrenic reactions with reserpine.Ann. New York Acad. Sci. 61:92, 1955.
Hussar, A. E., andBruno, E. Acute duodenal ulcer associated with reserpine therapy.Gastroenterology 31:500, 1956.
Kirsner, J. B., andFord, H. Effect of reserpine upon basal gastric secretion.Arch. Int. Med. 99:390, 1957.
Liebowitz, D., andCarbone, J. V. Effect of varying doses of reserpine on gastric secretion.New England J. Med. 257:227, 1957.
Plummer, A. J.,et al. Pharmacology of rauwolfia alkaloids, including reserpine.Ann. New York Acad. Sc. 59:8, 1954.
Rider, J. A. Effect of prolonged oral administration of reserpine (Reserpoid) on gastric secretion.Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. & Med. 90:636, 1955.
Schneider, E. M., andClark, M. L. Hyperchlorhydria induced by intravenous reserpine: Response to various therapeutic agents.Am. J. Digest. Dis. N.S. 1:22, 1956.
Schroeder, H. A., andPerry, H. M. Psychosis apparently produced by reserpine.J.A.M.A. 159:839, 1955.
Shay, H., Sun, D. C. H., andGruenstein, M. Effect of serotonin and reserpine on interdigestive gastric secretion in the rat.Fed. Proc. 16(1):118, 1957.
Ubillus, R. Effects of reserpine on the digestive tract. Reported in “Foreign Letters,”J.A.M.A. 162:1074, 1956.
Wolf, J., andRossman, M. E. Effects of reserpine on gastric secretion.Am. J. Gastroenterol. 25:430, 1956.
Wofford, J. D., andCummins, A. J. Hemorrhage from duodenal ulcer during the administration of reserpine.New England J. Med. 255:1193, 1956.
St. James, A. T., andRyan, A. J. Reserpine therapy producing massive gastric and duodenal hemorrhage.Connecticut M. J. 21:418, 1957.
Hirschowitz, B. I.,et al. Effects of 8-hour intravenous infusions of ACTH and the adrenal cortical steroids in normal man. I. Basal gastric secretions and plasma and urinary pepsinogen.J. Clin. Invest. 36:1171, 1957.
Kert, M. Personal communication.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was conducted with the aid of a grant from Ciba Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Summit, N. J.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bachrach, W.H. Reserpine, gastric secretion, and peptic ulcer. Digest Dis Sci 4, 117–124 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02231231
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02231231