Rauwolfia derivatives
Last reviewed 01/2018
Rauwolfia is a genus of tropical trees and shrubs, including over 100 species. Its derivatives have neuroleptic properties.
Reserpine was introduced into psychiatry in 1953 but soon replaced by phenothiazines because of its side effects.
Tetrabenazine and oxypertine have similar clinical and pharmacological effects. This group has different pharmacological actions from the other neuroleptics in that they cause depletion of dopamine rather than dopamine receptor blockade.