Rauwolfemms

Rauwolfemms is a type of antihypertensive medicines that lower your blood pressure by depressing the central nervous mechanisms.

You can get tablets of this product only after a doctor prescribes them for you. Elevated blood pressure (hypertension) for prolonged time causes “extra” workload on the heart and blood vessels resulting in damages to the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys.

Over time, hypertension can lead to a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. Reserpine, a major Rauwolfia alkaloid, may also be prescribed in:

• Raynaud's disease

Your doctor will inform you of what you need to know before using Rauwolfemms.

Keep following factors in mind before using these medicines:

• Allergies: Inform your doctor about the allergies you have, such as to this medication, other medications, or to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
• Pediatric: Consult your doctor to know if using these medicines in kids is safe or effective.
• Geriatric: Not enough is known about the safety and efficacy in elderly.
• Pregnancy: Animal studies reveal using Rauwolfia alkaloids during pregnancy causes severe problems to the baby. More studies are required to establish these effects in humans. Inform your doctor about your pregnancy, if any, before starting treatment involving Rauwolfia.
• Breastfeeding: Intake of large doses of Rauwolfia alkaloids by a nursing mother can cause undesirable effects on the infants, such as breathing problems, low temperature, and reduced appetite. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
• Drug Interactions: Taking two medicines together can be harmful due to possible interactions. In other cases, even if there is a possible interaction between two medicines your doctor may advise you to take them together after adjusting the dose or issuing precautions. Following medicines are not recommended to be used with Rauwolfia alkaloids. Inform your doctor if you are using any of these medicines:

        o Brofaromine
        o Clorgyline
        o Furazolidone
        o Iproniazid
        o Isocarboxazid
        o Lazabemide
        o Linezolid
        o Moclobemide
        o Nialamide
        o Pargyline
        o Phenelzine
        o Procarbazine
        o Rasagiline
        o Selegiline
        o Tetrabenazine
        o Toloxatone
        o Tranylcypromine

Though usually not recommended, your doctor may decide, after adjusting dose or frequency of one or both medicines, to use Rauwolfia alkaloids with any of the following medicines:

        o Colchicine
        o Fosphenytoin
        o Iobenguane I 123
        o Phenytoin

• Other Interactions: Talk to your doctor to know if food, alcohol or tobacco influences the action or effect of Rauwolfia alkaloids.
• Medical Problems: Certain medical conditions might influence the effects (both positive and adverse) and action of these medicines. Inform your doctor if you have:

        o Seizures
        o Gallstones
        o Stomach ulcer
        o Ulcerative colitis
        o Heart disease: Irregular heartbeats may develop
        o Kidney disease
        o Ongoing or past case of depression
        o Parkinson's disease: Parkinson-like effects may develop
        o Pheochromocytoma

To use Rauwolfemms properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Here are some points to consider:

• Remember that hypertension is a chronic disease. The key to controlling this often insidious condition is a combination of medicine, low-sodium diet, and weight management.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions while taking any medicine including Rauwolfia alkaloids.
• Do not get disheartened if your doctor prescribes you such medicines for a lifetime.
• Serious health conditions that may arise from uncontrolled hypertension include heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.
• You may be prescribed other medicines with Rauwolfia alkaloids. In such case, take both medicines properly.
• Taking a certain medicine at a particular time of each day may help solve problems of forgetting the dose. Or, your doctor may advise you some other ways.
• You can take this medicine with your meals to reduce symptoms of an upset stomach.

Dosing:

For best results, follow your doctor to know what amount of medicine you should take in a single dose. The doses of a medicine can differ according to the conditions for which it is being prescribed, your age and your overall health status. Remember your doses can differ. Consult your doctor if you have anything to ask.

The doses (different for different alkaloids) for hypertension are:

Dose of deserpidine tablets

• Adults: 250 to 500 micrograms (mcg) per day to be taken in a single or two divided doses.
• Children: Your doctor will decide the dose.

Dose of Rauwolfia serpentine tablets

• Adults: 50 to 200 milligrams (mg) per day to be taken in a single or two divided doses.
• Children: Your doctor will decide the dose.

Dose of reserpine tablets

• Adults: 100 to 250 micrograms (mcg) per day.
• Children: 5 to 20 mcg per kg, or 2.27 to 9.1 mcg per pound, of body weight per day to be taken in single or two divided doses.

Missed Dose:

Take your missed dose once you remember but avoid it if it’s time to take your next dose, and follow your normal dosing schedule. Avoid taking double doses to make up for the missed dose.

Storage:

• Store in a closed container at room temperature.
• Keep away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Do not freeze.
• Keep away from children.
• Discard any unused or expired medicines.

In using Rauwolfemms, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor. Your progress should be regularly monitored to determine if you are responding to the treatment. Remember:

• Consult your doctor before taking any other medicines, especially nonprescription medicines such as those for asthma, colds, hay fever, cough, or sinus conditions.
• Reveal your intake of Rauwolfia medicine to your doctor or dentist before surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment.
• Any drug –related depressive symptoms should be reported to the doctor and immediate action should be taken. Watch for symptoms like nightmares or sleep problems.
• Using this medicine with alcohol and other CNS depressants such as allergy medicine, sleeping pills, cold medicine, prescription pain medicine or narcotics can cause marked sleepiness. So avoid using them together.
• Some people may feel drowsy while taking this medicine. So take precautions while driving or using machines.
• Combat drug-associated dryness of mouth by using a saliva substitute or a sugar-free candy. See your doctor or dentist if dryness does not improve within 14 days.
• You may also experience congested nose. If you are thinking of using a nasal decongestant, talk to your doctor first.

Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Rauwolfemms to avoid unwanted potential side effects.

Studies on rats and mice have shown that administering a very high dose of Rauwolfemms results in tumors. However, more studies are required to demonstrate the same effect in humans.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:

Less common:

• Drowsiness or fainting
• Decreased sex drive
• Excessive tiredness
• Depressive symptoms or concentrate problems
• Feeling anxious
• Vivid dreams or nightmares
• Sleep problems especially in early morning

More common: 

• Dizziness

Less common:

• Black, tarry stools
• Vomiting blood
• Chest pain
• Headache
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Rapid, shallow breath
• Abdominal pain

Rare: 

• Pain while urinating
• Rash or itchy skin
• Stiffness
• Tremors
• Abnormal bleeding or bruising

Symptoms of overdose:

• Severe dizziness or drowsiness
• Red skin
• Constricted pupils of eyes
• Feeble pulse

Mild and non-serious side effects usually go away on their own without requiring medical intervention. You may also ask your doctor to learn more about how you may prevent or reduce the side effects.

Talk to your doctor if the side effects persist or worry you, including:

More common: 

• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Reduced appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Nasal congestion

Less common:

• Swollen feet and lower legs

The side effects of the medicine are not limited to the ones listed above. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any side effects that are uncommon or worry you. To report side effects to the FDA, contact at 1-800-FDA-1088.