rauwolfia serpentina

rauwolfia /rau·wol·fia/

1. any member of the genus Rauwolfia.

2. the dried root of Rauwolfia, or an extract of it.

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rauwolfia serpenti´na  the dried root of Rauwolfia serpentina; used as an antihypertensive; also used in folk medicine and Indian medicine.

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rauwolfia serpentina,

the dried root from Rauwolfia serpentina.

indications It is prescribed in the treatment of mild hypertension and agitation due to psychosis.

contraindications Mental depression, peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, electroconvulsive therapy, or known hypersensitivity to this drug prohibits its use. It can interact adversely with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

adverse effects Among the more serious adverse effects are symptoms resembling parkinsonism, glaucoma, cardiac arrhythmias, and GI bleeding.

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rauwolfia [raw-wol´fe-ah]

1. any member of the genus Rauwolfia, tropical trees and shrubs.

2. the dried root, or extract of the dried root, of one of these plants.

rauwolfia serpenti´na the dried root of Rauwolfia serpentina, sometimes with fragments of rhizome and other parts, used as an antihypertensive agent.