Reserpine, hydralazine, and hydrochlorothiazide (Oral)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 27, 2022.

Pharmacologic Class: Monoamine Depletor

Chemical Class: Rauwolfia

Uses for reserpine, hydralazine, and hydrochlorothiazide

Reserpine, hydralazine, and hydrochlorothiazide combinations are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled.

Reserpine works by controlling nerve impulses along certain nerve pathways. As a result, it acts on the heart and blood vessels to lower blood pressure. Hydralazine works by relaxing blood vessels and increasing the supply of blood to the heart while reducing its work load. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps to reduce the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine. This also helps to lower blood pressure.

Reserpine, hydralazine, and hydrochlorothiazide is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using reserpine, hydralazine, and hydrochlorothiazide

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For reserpine, hydralazine, and hydrochlorothiazide, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to reserpine, hydralazine, and hydrochlorothiazide or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Although there is no specific information comparing use of reserpine, hydralazine, and hydrochlorothiazide in children with use in other age groups, reserpine, hydralazine, and hydrochlorothiazide is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of reserpine, hydralazine, and hydrochlorothiazide combination in the elderly with use in other age groups, reserpine, hydralazine, and hydrochlorothiazide is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults. However, drowsiness, dizziness, or faintness, or symptoms of too much potassium loss may be more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of reserpine, hydralazine, and hydrochlorothiazide. Also, reserpine, hydralazine, and hydrochlorothiazide may reduce tolerance to cold temperatures in elderly patients.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when