Reserpine is an adrenergic neuron blocking agent that acts by depleting the stores of catecholamines. Its use as an antihypertensive has declined recently because of frequent undesirable side-effects. The side-effects are primarily extracardiac and occur at high dosages. Cardiovascular side-effects are rare and include a decrease in atrioventricular conduction, potentiation of digitalis toxicity, and possible precipitation of ventricular ectopics. We report a case of reseprine-induced complete heart block requiring a temporary pacemaker for a few days.
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