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LEO E. HOLLISTER, M.D.

AMA Arch Intern Med. 1957;99(2):218-221.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

Alkaloids of Rauwolfia serpentina, especially reserpine, are being used widely in the treatment of hypertension and mental illness. In addition to their pharmacologic actions on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, a variety of effects have been reported on the gastrointestinal system. Both gastric secretory and motor activity in dogs are augmented by reserpine.¹ Increased volume and acidity of gastric secretions has also been found in man under the influence of reserpine.^2,3 Hypermotility of the lower gastrointestinal tract is clinically evident in the occasional complaint of diarrhea in patients taking the drug. Emetic effects, suggesting hypermotility of the upper gastrointestinal tract, have been reported in animals and man.⁴ These actions on the gastrointestinal tract, produced in the main by the cholinergic-like action of the drug, suggest that duodenal ulcer might be activated. Such activation of ulcer in patients receiving reserpine has been reported.⁴

Hematemesis and melena . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
Palo Alto, Calif.

From the Medical Service, Veterans Administration Hospital.

Footnotes
Submitted for publication June 21, 1956.

Technical assistance for the studies on blood clotting was given by Vernon L. Henrich, B.S., and Saul L. Kanter, B.S.

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