RESERPINE (SERPASIL) IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MENTALLY ILL

Abstract

In our preliminary report,1we reported on 74 mentally ill and 15 mentally retarded patients who received reserpine for periods as long as seven months in duration. The oral dosage averaged 2 mg. daily, and the parenteral dose was 1 to 10 mg. Eighty per cent of the patients manifested improvement that was due to the alkaloid. Many regressed patients became alert and sociable, while the hyperactive, noisy, assaultive group became tranquil. The use of restraints, seclusion, and electroconvulsive therapy decreased by at least 80% after the inception of this treatment. Many patients no longer revealed psychotic symptoms, and it was possible to place on indefinite leave of absence or discharge status many patients whose prognosis had been regarded previously as hopeless. The patients selected for treatment in this project were only those who had a poor prognosis. They were the so-called back ward patients who had been mentally