Benzthiazide / Reserpine
Benzthiazide/Reserpine is a combination antihypertensive medication used to treat high blood pressure. It combines a thiazide diuretic with a catecholamine-depleting agent to lower blood pressure through complementary mechanisms. This older combination medication has largely fallen out of favor due to the availability of safer alternatives.
A combination blood pressure medication that pairs a diuretic with a sympathetic nervous system inhibitor, used primarily for hypertension.
Key facts at a glance
- RxNorm
- 820630
- Generic
- Benzthiazide / Reserpine
- Class
- multi-ingredient
- Brands
- —
- Availability
- rx
- Lactation
- unknown
- Routes
- —
- Forms
- —
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and, less commonly, edema associated with heart failure or kidney disease. This older combination is typically reserved for patients who have not responded adequately to single-agent therapy or safer alternatives.
Benzthiazide is a thiazide diuretic that works in the distal convoluted tubule to inhibit sodium reabsorption, causing increased water and sodium excretion. Reserpine depletes norepinephrine and epinephrine from sympathetic nerve terminals, reducing sympathetic tone and vascular resistance. Together they produce an additive antihypertensive effect.
May cause significant side effects including depression, fatigue, orthostatic hypotension, and bradycardia due to reserpine's central nervous system effects. Should be used cautiously in patients with history of depression, Parkinson's disease, or peptic ulcer disease. Not recommended as first-line therapy in modern practice. Regular monitoring of blood pressure, electrolytes, and mood status is recommended.
Official drug label
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This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 28, 2026. · Read our editorial policy