Yohimbe

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Pusinystalia yohimbe, Corynanthe yohimbi, yohimbe, yohimbehe, yohimbine, johimbi

What is yohimbe?

Yohimbe is an evergreen tree that grows in the jungle. The bark is the part of the tree that is used to make medicine.

What is it used for?

Yohimbe is used to treat:

• depression
• erectile dysfunction (impotence)
• lack of energy
• sex-related side effects caused by some antidepressants

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

You can buy yohimbe without a prescription. The active ingredient, yohimbine, comes in the form of a prescription medicine. Take yohimbine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. If your healthcare provider has not given you specific instructions, follow the directions that come on the package. Do not take more or take it longer than prescribed. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about anything you do not understand.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

This herb should be taken only under supervision of your healthcare provider, especially if you also take antidepressant medicines. Yohimbine may be life-threatening if taken in high doses.

Do not take yohimbe if you have:

• chest pain or heart disease
• diabetes
• high or low blood pressure
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• mental problems such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or schizophrenia
• prostate problems or trouble urinating
• ulcers

Yohimbe is unsafe for children because children appear to be much more sensitive to the side effects.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this remedy.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this remedy if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may have different strengths and effects. They may be contaminated.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious: Severe high or low blood pressure, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, weakness, paralysis, hallucinations, trouble breathing, fainting, unexplained swelling, trouble urinating.

Other: Dizziness, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, drooling, increased urination, nervousness, headache, rash.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace)
• alpha blockers such as prazosin (Minipress) and doxazosin (Cardura)
• antidepressants such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Tofranil), and desipramine (Pamelor)
• antipsychotic medicines such as thioridazine, chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine), perphenazine, promazine (Sparine), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
• beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), pindolol, metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), and propranolol (Inderal)
• calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiamate, Tiazac), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), felodipine (Plendil), amlodipine (Norvasc), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
• clonidine (Catapres)
• diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix) and hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide, Oretic)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• medicines to treat high blood pressure such as clonidine (Catapres) and guanabenz
• medicines used to control diabetes such as insulin, glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase, Glynase), metformin (Glucophage), acarbose (Precose), repaglinide (Prandin), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and pioglitazone (Actos)
• naloxone (Narcan)
• natural remedies such as ephedra, mate, St. John's wort, ginseng, ginger, fenugreek, willow bark, ginkgo, and guarana
• stimulants such as diethylpropion (Tenuate), methylphenidate (Ritalin), caffeine (coffee, cola, tea), diet pills, and some cough and cold medicines such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Neo-Synephrine)

When taken with certain foods or drinks, this remedy can cause an increase in blood pressure. To avoid this, do not eat large amounts of foods or drink beverages that have a high tyramine content. This includes foods that are aged, fermented, pickled, or smoked, such as aged cheeses; yogurt, dried fruits, smoked fish, meat, or poultry; sauerkraut; soy sauce; red wine; or tap beer. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.

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