The effects of reserpine on depression: A systematic review

Reserpine is an effective antihypertensive drug, but its role in routine practice has declined such that it is rarely used. This is largely based on the assumption that reserpine causes depression. This assumption was a foundation for the original monoamine hypothesis of depression. However, there remains conflicting evidence as to whether reserpine causes depression, and no systematic review of available evidence.

We systematically reviewed evidence on effects of reserpine on depressive and related symptoms (e.g. anxiety, suicidal ideation).

Electronic searches of MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO were conducted to identify studies up to 14 February 2021. Studies of any methodological design involving reserpine-treated and reserpine-untreated conditions, in any adult human population, were included and a narrative synthesis of findings was undertaken. Risk of bias (RoB) was examined using ROBINS-I.

Of the 35 studies meeting inclusion criteria, 9 were randomised controlled trials. Eleven studies reported some depressogenic effects, 13 reported no effect and 11 reported putative antidepressant effects. Studies identifying depressive effects were more likely to examine people without psychiatric disorders at baseline, while studies identifying a potential antidepressant effect tended to treat fewer participants for shorter durations, at higher doses. Around one-third of studies conducted in people with psychiatric disorders showed beneficial effects on depression symptoms. 30/35 studies were at high RoB.

Associations between reserpine and depression are inconsistent and limited by a lack of high-quality evidence. Due to reserpine's apparently complex effects, we urge nuance rather than simplicity surrounding the monoamine hypothesis of depression.