Generic name: yohimbine (yoe-HIM-been)
Drug class: Impotence agents
Pharmacologic Class: Alpha-2 Adrenergic Blocker
Uses for yohimbine
Yohimbine is used to increase peripheral blood flow. It is also used to dilate the pupil of the eye.
Yohimbine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using yohimbine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For yohimbine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to yohimbine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of yohimbine in the elderly with use in other age groups, yohimbine has been used in some elderly patients and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking yohimbine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using yohimbine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Clomipramine
- Clonidine
- Guanabenz
- Guanadrel
- Guanethidine
- Guanfacine
- Lithium
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Naloxone
- Naltrexone
- Reserpine
Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using yohimbine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use yohimbine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Ethanol
Other medical problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of yohimbine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Angina pectoris or
- Depression or
- Other psychiatric illness or
- Heart disease or
- High blood pressure or
- Kidney disease—Yohimbine may make these conditions worse
- Liver disease—Effects of yohimbine may be increased because of slower removal from the body
Proper use of yohimbine
Take yohimbine only as directed by your doctor to help your condition as much as possible. Do not take more or less of it, and do not take it more or less often than your doctor ordered.
Dosing
The dose of yohimbine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of yohimbine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose of yohimbine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Precautions while using yohimbine
It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that yohimbine is working properly.
Use yohimbine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than ordered. If too much is used, the risk of side effects such as fast heartbeat and high blood pressure is increased.
Yohimbine side effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
- Fast heartbeat
- increased blood pressure
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Dizziness
- headache
- irritability
- nervousness or restlessness
Rare
- Nausea and vomiting
- skin flushing
- sweating
- tremor
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.