yohimbine
Last reviewed 01/2018
Yohimbe bark:
- used as either an aphrodisiac or for the treatment of male impotence (1,2)
- "...compared with placebo Yohimbine may be more effective at improving
self-reported sexual function and penile rigidity at 2 to 10 weeks ( very
low-quality evidence).."(2)
- "...compared with placebo Yohimbine may be more effective at improving
self-reported sexual function and penile rigidity at 2 to 10 weeks ( very
low-quality evidence).."(2)
- adverse effects (2,3):
- review (3) reported that adverse effects were generally minor and reversible, and included agitation, anxiety, headache, mild increase in blood pressure, increased urinary output, and gastrointestinal upset
- Yohimbine was associated with a higher proportion of adverse events compared with placebo (10-30% with yohimbine v 5-16% with placebo; significance assessment not performed)
- two men withdrew from the subsequent crossover RCT because of a hypertensive
crisis in one and severe palpitations in the other (2)
- yohimbe has central alpha adrenoceptor actions which can cause tachycardia,
atrial fibrillation, hypertension and chest pain (1)
- can reduce the effectiveness of CNS acting anti-hypertensives including methyldopa and clonidine through its effects on central alpha2 receptors (1)
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