Mechanism of Action
Reserpine irreversibly blocks the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT). This normally transports free norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine from the cytoplasm of the presynaptic nerve terminal into storage vesicles for subsequent release into the synaptic cleft ("exocytosis"). Unprotected neurotransmitters are metabolized by MAO (as well as by COMT) in the cytoplasm and consequently never reach the synapse.
It may take the body days to weeks to replenish the depleted VMAT, so that reserpine's effects are long-lasting.
Read more about this topic: Reserpine
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