Yohimbe yoh-HIM-be

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?

This remedy has been used to treat several conditions. Studies in humans or animals have not proved that this remedy is safe or effective for all uses. Before using this remedy for a serious condition, you should talk with your healthcare provider. There may be other uses that are not listed below.

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.

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.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

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, enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril, lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace)
• alpha blockers such as prazosin (Minipress) and doxazosin (Cardura)
• antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)
• antipsychotic medicines such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol (Haldol), olanzapine (Zyprexa), prochlorperazine (Compro), risperidone (Risperdal), thioridazine, trifluoperazine, and ziprasidone (Geodon)
• beta blockers such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), pindolol, propranolol (Inderal LA), and sotalol (Betapace)
• caffeine (coffee, cola, tea), diet pills,
• calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, felodipine, isradipine (DynaCirc CR), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Tiazac)
• diabetes medicines such as insulin, glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), repaglinide (Prandin), and rosiglitazone (Avandia)
• diuretics (water pills) such as amiloride, bumetanide, chlorothiazide (Diuril), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), spironolactone (Aldactone), torsemide (Demadex), and triamterene (Dyrenium)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• medicines to treat high blood pressure such as clonidine (Catapres) and guanabenz
• naloxone (Narcan)
• natural remedies such as ephedra, fenugreek, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng, guarana, mate, St. John's wort, and willow bark
• pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Neo-Synephrine)
• stimulants such as diethylpropion (Tenuate) and methylphenidate (Ritalin)

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.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. 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.

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.