Side Effects

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Suggestions that rauwolfia alkaloids may increase the risk of breast cancer occurring later have not been proven. However, rats and mice given 100 to 300 times the human dose had an increased number of tumors.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

More common
  1. General feeling of discomfort or illness or weakness
Less common
  1. Drowsiness or faintness
  2. impotence or decreased sexual interest
  3. lack of energy or weakness
  4. mental depression or inability to concentrate
  5. nervousness or anxiety
  6. vivid dreams or nightmares or early-morning sleeplessness
Signs and symptoms of too much potassium loss
  1. Dryness of mouth
  2. increased thirst
  3. irregular heartbeat
  4. mood or mental changes
  5. muscle cramps or pain
  6. weak pulse
Signs and symptoms of too much sodium loss
  1. Confusion
  2. convulsions
  3. decreased mental activity
  4. irritability
  5. muscle cramps
  6. unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
  1. Black, tarry stools
  2. blisters on skin
  3. bloody vomit
  4. chest pain
  5. fever and sore throat
  6. headache
  7. irregular heartbeat
  8. joint pain
  9. numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet
  10. shortness of breath
  11. skin rash or itching
  12. slow heartbeat
  13. stomach cramps or pain
  14. swelling of lymph glands
Rare
  1. Lower back or side pain
  2. painful or difficult urination
  3. stiffness
  4. stomach pain (severe) with nausea and vomiting
  5. trembling and shaking of hands and fingers
  6. unusual bleeding or bruising
  7. yellow eyes or skin
Signs and symptoms of overdose
  1. Dizziness or drowsiness (severe)
  2. dryness of mouth
  3. flushing of skin
  4. increased thirst
  5. muscle cramps or pain
  6. nausea or vomiting (severe)
  7. pinpoint pupils of eyes
  8. slow pulse

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  1. Diarrhea
  2. dizziness, especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position
  3. loss of appetite
  4. nausea or vomiting
  5. stuffy nose

Less common

  1. Constipation
  2. flushing or redness of skin
  3. increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight
  4. swelling of feet and lower legs
  5. watering or irritated eyes

After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.