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A DOUBLE–BLIND TRIAL OF RESERPINE IN SMALL DOSES AS AN ADJUNCT IN THE TREATMENT OF HYPERTHYROIDISM
Author(s) -
Cheah J. S.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1972.tb46802.x
Subject(s) - reserpine , placebo , medicine , dose , ankle jerk reflex , anesthesia , basal (medicine) , double blind , blood pressure , endocrinology , reflex , insulin , alternative medicine , pathology
A double‐blind trial of reserpine in 15 cases of untreated hyperthyroidism was carried out. Reserpine was given in a dosage of 0.25 mg twice daily for 10 days; an identical placebo was given for the same duration. The only symptoms significantly relieved by reserpine were those under nervous control. Signs such as finger tremor, hand warmth, hyperkinetic movement, hand moisture, lid lag and increased pulse rate also responded favourably. Reserpine had no significant effect on the weight, blood pressure, serum cholesterol level, basal metabolic rate, Achilles tendon reflex time, thyroid gland uptake of radioiodine and the plasma protein‐bound radioiodine. Two of the 15 patients complained of nasal stuffiness; there was no other complication. It is concluded that reserpine in small dosages (0.25 mg twice daily) is a useful adjunct in the treatment of hyperthyroidism.