How It Works
Yohimbine is a prescription drug derived from the bark of the yohimbe tree. It is sometimes considered a folk remedy that is available by prescription. It may increase blood flow to the penis or decrease blood flow from the penis, or both, and it may increase sexual desire.
Why It Is Used
Yohimbine is used to help with erection problems (erectile dysfunction); however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it for this use.
How Well It Works
One study found that yohimbine helped men with erection problems more than a placebo. Another study found that yohimbine did not work any better than a placebo.1
Side Effects
In several studies, between 10% and 30% of men taking yohimbine had brief side effects such as agitation, anxiety, headache, mild increase in blood pressure, and increased urination. These side effects are usually mild.1
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
If you have kidney disease, do not use this treatment.
If you have chest pain (angina), depression or another psychiatric illness, heart disease, high blood pressure, or liver disease, be sure to inform your doctor before taking yohimbine.
Do not use yohimbine if you are using any antidepressants.
It is important to understand the difference between the prescription drug yohimbine and the dietary supplement yohimbe. The prescription drug contains specific amounts of a chemical that makes it effective. The dietary supplement comes from the ground bark or an extract from the bark of the yohimbe tree and may contain effective amounts of the chemical found in the prescription drug. There have been no clinical trials showing that the dietary supplement is effective.
Yohimbine is not commonly used.
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Credits
| Author | Ralph Poore |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Associate Editor | Terrina Vail |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology |
| Last Updated | June 13, 2006 |
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