Home Drug Guide Deserpidine

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Deserpidine

Brand Names Harmonyl

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihypertensive

Pharmacological: Indolalkylamine

FDA Approved Indications

  • Hypertension

Mechanism of Action

Deserpidine acts by depleting catecholamines (norepinephrine and epinephrine) from sympathetic nerve endings, leading to vasodilation and decreased blood pressure.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 2.5 to 5 mg orally 2-3 times daily; dosage may be titrated based on response.

Pediatric: Use not well established; consult specific pediatric guidelines.

Geriatric: Start at lower doses due to increased sensitivity and risk of orthostatic hypotension.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; monitor blood pressure and renal function.

Hepatic Impairment: Use caution; dose adjustments may be necessary.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Orally absorbed with variable bioavailability.

Distribution: Widely distributed in body tissues.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver.

Excretion: Excreted primarily via the kidneys.

Half Life: Approximately 7-8 hours.

Contraindications

  • History of hypersensitivity to deserpidine or similar agents.
  • Severe depression.
  • Bradycardia.

Precautions

  • Use cautiously in patients with asthma, peptic ulcers, or hepatic impairment.
  • Monitor for orthostatic hypotension, especially in the elderly.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Sedation or drowsiness (Common)
  • Dry mouth (Less common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Depression or mental disturbances (Rare)
  • Orthostatic hypotension (Occasionally)
  • Bradycardia (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • MAO inhibitors may enhance hypotensive effect.
  • Other antihypertensives may have additive effects.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood pressure and heart rate regularly.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for falls due to orthostatic hypotension.
  • Ineffective health maintenance.

Implementation: Administer as prescribed, observe for adverse effects, educate patient on positional changes.

Evaluation: Assess blood pressure control and side effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Rise slowly from sitting or lying position to prevent dizziness.
  • Report any signs of depression, fast heartbeat, or severe side effects.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings: N/A

Genetic Factors: None specific.

Lab Test Interference: None known.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe hypotension, bradycardia, sedation, dizziness.

Treatment: Supportive care, intravenous fluids, atropine for bradycardia, gastric lavage if recent ingestion.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and light.

Stability: Stable under recommended conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.