WHO naming stem · suffix · former · 3 listed names
-serpine
derivatives of Rauwolfia alkaloids
Where it sits in a name
WHO writes the stem as -serpine. So the letters serpine sit at the end of the name (…serpine).
WHO marks this stem (d): formerly used and no longer formally acknowledged. The names below keep it.
All 3 names WHO lists under -serpine
These are the INN in group (a) of Part IV of the stem book: names in which WHO says the stem is used as defined. The stem is marked where WHO places it. A-Z as WHO lists them.
- bietaserpine
- mefeserpine
- reserpine
Decode another name
Decoded
reserpine
Listed INNCarries 2 WHO stems, most specific first: -serpine …
- -serpineend of the nameWHO lists it hereformer stemWHO definition: derivatives of Rauwolfia alkaloids
- -pin(e)end of the nameWHO definition: tricyclic compounds
“reserpine” is an INN that WHO lists under -serpine in the 2024 stem book. A stem marked “former” is one WHO no longer formally acknowledges.
The same decoder as the front page: it reads the letters of a name against all 482 WHO stems, in your browser.
Source and licence
The definition of -serpine (Part II B) and the 3 names (Part IV, group (a)) are from Use of stems in the selection of International Nonproprietary Names (INN) for pharmaceutical substances, 2024 (World Health Organization, Stem book 2024 (ISBN 978-92-4-009938-8); covers proposed INN Lists 1-129). Checked .
Adapted from: Use of stems in the selection of International Nonproprietary Names (INN) for pharmaceutical substances, 2024. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2024. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. This adaptation was not created by WHO; WHO is not responsible for its content or accuracy and does not endorse this site. The data file stems.json is shared under the same licence.