Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

RESERPINE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

An alkaloid obtained from the roots of species of Rauwolfia (Apocynaceae), Rauwolfia
serpentina and R. vomitoria, or by synthesis. A sedative and central nervous depressant.
Causes depletion of the noradrenaline stores in the peripheral sympathetic nerve terminals
and depletion of catecholamine and serotonin stores in the brain, heart and many other
organs. Normally given by mouth where its action is slow in onset and continues for some
days after withdrawal of treatment. It has a cumulative effect; tolerance does not
develop. Used in the treatment of hypertension and as a sedative in anxiety states and
chronic psychoses.

SYNONYMS

C33-H40-N2-O9, "3-beta, 20-alpha-yohimban-16-beta-carboxylic acid, ", "3-beta, 20-alpha-
yohimban-16-beta-carboxylic acid, ", "18-beta-hydroxy-11, 17-alpha-dimethoxy-, methyl
ester, ", "18-beta-hydroxy-11, 17-alpha-dimethoxy-, methyl ester, ", "3, 4, 5-
trimethoxybenzoate (ester)", "3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzoate (ester)", "methyl 11, 17-alpha-
dimethoxy-18-beta-(3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzoyloxy)-", "methyl 11, 17-alpha-dimethoxy-18-
beta-(3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzoyloxy)-", "3-beta, 20-alpha-yohimbane-16-beta-carboxylate",
"3-beta, 20-alpha-yohimbane-16-beta-carboxylate", "methyl 18-O-(3, 4, 5-
trimethoxybenzoyl)reserpate", "methyl 18-O-(3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzoyl)reserpate", "methyl
reserpate 3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzoic acid", "methyl reserpate 3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzoic
acid", "methyl reserpate 3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzoic acid ester", "methyl reserpate 3, 4, 5-
trimethoxybenzoic acid ester", "3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzoyl methyl reserpate", "3, 4, 5-
trimethoxybenzoyl methyl reserpate", "yohimban-16-carboxylic acid derivative of
benz(G)indolo(2, 3-A)quinolizine", "yohimban-16-carboxylic acid derivative of
benz(G)indolo(2, 3-A)quinolizine", Abesta, Abicol, Adelfan, Adelphane, Adelphin, Adelphin-
Esidrex-K, Alkarau, Alkserp, Alserin, Anquil, Apoplon, Apsical, "Arcum R-S", "Arcum R-S",
Ascoserp, Ascoserpina, Austrapine, Banasil, Banisil, Benazyl, Bendigon, Bioserpine,
Brinderdin, Briserpine, Carditivo, Cardioserpin, Carrserp, Crystoserpine, Darebon,
Deserpine, Diupres, Diutensen-R, Drenusil-R, "Dypertane Compound", Eberpine, Eberspine,
Ebserpine, Elfanex, Elserpine, Enipresser, "ENT 50146", Escaspere, Eserpine, Eskaserp,
Gammaserpine, Gilucard, Gamaserpine, H-520, Helfoserpin, Hexaplin, Hiposerpil, Hiserpia,
"Hydromox R", Hydropres, "Hydrpores KA", Hygroton-Reserpine, "Hypercal B", "Hypertane
Forte", Hypertensan, Idoserp, Idsoserp, Interpina, Key-Serpine, Kitine, Klimanosid,
"""L""", Carpserp, Lemiserp, Loweserp, "Marntension Simple", Maviserpin, Mayserpine,
Mephaserpin, Metatensin, Miopressin, Modenol, Naquival, NCI-C5-5157, Nembu-Serpin, Neo-
Antitensol, Neo-Antitersol, Neoserfin, Neo-Serp, Neoslowten, Orthoserpina, Perskleran,
Pressimedin, Purserpine, Quiescin, Raucap, Raudiford, Raudixin, Raudixoid, Raugal, Raulen,
Raulolycin, Rauloydin, Raumorine, Raunervil, Raunorine, "Raunormin 'Orzan'", Raunova,
Raupasil, Raupoid, Raurin, Rausan, Rau-Sed, Rausedan, rausedil, Rausedyl, Rauserpen-Alk,
Rauserpin, alkaloid

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful if swallowed.
May cause CANCER.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  The dust may produce eye discomfort causing smarting, pain and redness.  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Toxic effects may result from skin absorption.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There is ample evidence that this material can be regarded as being able to cause cancer in humans based on experiments and other information.  

  Principal routes of exposure are by ingestion and accidental skin contact  or inhalation of dusts.  Long term effects of exposure include anxiety (paradoxically), blurred  vision, breast engorgement and galactorhhoea (spontaneous flow of milk),  gynamastia (breast enlargement), disturbance of ejaculation, impotence,  epistaxis (nose bleed), headache, difficulty in passing water, sodium  retention, oedema, peptic ulcerion and purpura (small skin lesions) .  Various reports describe the association between ingestion and the  development of breast neoplasms. This finding is equivocal.