Overview

Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe) is an evergreen tree native to Africa. Its bark contains the chemical yohimbine, traditionally used as an aphrodisiac.

The yohimbine in yohimbe can increase blood flow and nerve impulses to the penis or vagina. It can also help counteract the sexual side effects of certain medications used for depression.

People most commonly use yohimbe for sexual problems. It is also used to boost mood, for athletic performance, and other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for YOHIMBE overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Yohimbe is possibly unsafe. A chemical in yohimbe, called yohimbine, has been linked to severe side effects including irregular heartbeat, heart attack, and others. It can be safely used short-term when monitored by a healthcare provider. But it shouldn't be used without medical supervision.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Yohimbe is possibly unsafe. A chemical in yohimbe, called yohimbine, has been linked to severe side effects including irregular heartbeat, heart attack, and others. It can be safely used short-term when monitored by a healthcare provider. But it shouldn't be used without medical supervision.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Yohimbe is likely unsafe. Yohimbe might affect the uterus and put pregnancy in danger. It might also poison the unborn child. Don't take yohimbe if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Anxiety: Yohimbe might make anxiety worse in people with panic disorder. Don't use yohimbe if you have anxiety.

Prostate problems: Yohimbe might make the symptoms of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) worse. Use yohimbe with caution if you have BPH.

Heart disease: Yohimbe can seriously harm the heart. Don't use it if you have heart disease.

High blood pressure: Yohimbe can increase blood pressure. Don't use it if you have high blood pressure.

Kidney disease: Yohimbe might slow or stop the flow of urine. Don't use yohimbe if you have kidney disease.

Liver disease: Liver disease might change the way the body processes yohimbe. Don't use yohimbe if you have liver disease.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Yohimbe might make PTSD symptoms worse.

Schizophrenia: The yohimbine in yohimbe might trigger psychosis in people with schizophrenia.

Surgery: Yohimbe might increase the risk for bleeding. People who take yohimbe should stop at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Interactions

    Major Interaction

    Do not take this combination

  • Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with YOHIMBE

    Yohimbe contains yohimbine. Yohimbine might affect the body in some of the same ways as some medications for depression called MAOIs. Taking yohimbe along with MAOIs might increase the effects and side effects of yohimbe and MAOIs.

    Some common MAOIs include phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications for depression (Tricyclic antidepressants) interacts with YOHIMBE

    Taking yohimbe along with these medications used for depression might cause shakiness and anxiety. Don't take yohimbe if you are taking these medications.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with YOHIMBE

    Yohimbe might increase blood pressure. Taking yohimbe might reduce the effects of blood pressure medications. Monitor your blood pressure closely.

  • Phenothiazines interacts with YOHIMBE

    Yohimbe contains a chemical called yohimbine. Some medications called phenothiazines have some similar effects to yohimbine. Taking yohimbe along with phenothiazines might increase the risk for side effects.

  • Stimulant drugs interacts with YOHIMBE

    Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can make you feel jittery and speed up your heartbeat. Yohimbe might also speed up the nervous system. Taking yohimbe along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid taking stimulant drugs along with yohimbe.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates) interacts with YOHIMBE

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Yohimbe might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with YOHIMBE

    Yohimbe might slow blood clotting. Taking yohimbe along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

  • Medications that decrease break down of other medications by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) inhibitors) interacts with YOHIMBE

    Yohimbine is changed and broken down by the liver. Some drugs decrease how quickly the liver changes and breaks down yohimbe. This could change the effects and side effects of yohimbe.

  • Medications that decrease break down of other medications in the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors) interacts with YOHIMBE

    Yohimbine is changed and broken down by the liver. Some drugs decrease how quickly the liver changes and breaks down yohimbe. This could change the effects and side effects of yohimbe.

  • Clonidine (Catapres) interacts with YOHIMBE

    Yohimbe might reduce the effects of clonidine. This might cause blood pressure to go up. Monitor your blood pressure closely.

  • Paroxetine (Paxil) interacts with YOHIMBE

    Paroxetine might change how quickly the liver breaks down yohimbine. This could change the effects and side effects of yohimbine.

    Minor Interaction

    Be watchful with this combination

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with YOHIMBE

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Yohimbe might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with YOHIMBE

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Yohimbe might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of yohimbe might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Also note that yohimbe supplement products have been found to commonly list inaccurate information on their product labels. Also, some yohimbe supplements list yohimbine hydrochloride as an active ingredient. Yohimbine hydrochloride is not legal to sell as a dietary supplement in the US.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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