Pausinystalia yohimbe
(Yohimbe)
Therapeutic Actions:
- Alpha-2-adrenergic blocker
- Anesthetic effect, similar to cocaine
- Aphrodisiac
- Dilates peripheral blood vessels
- Increases reflex excitability of the lower region of the
spinal cord
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
- Vasodilator-skin and mucous membranes
Clinical Indications:
Contraindications:
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder, yohimbe can enduce a manic episode
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Heart, liver or kidney disease
- Hypotension
- Nervous disorders, especially schizophrenia
Drug/Nutrient Interaction:
- Amphetamines, cocaine, ephedrine, epinephrine, chlorpromazine, promazine, chloprotixene, phenoxybenzamine and phentolamine increase toxicity of yohimbine
- Clonidine and reserpine decrease anxiety caused by yohimbine
- Metoprolol, penbutolol and propranolol protect against toxicity of yohimbine in animal studies
- Naloxone and yohimbine taken concurrently may produce anxiety, hot and cold flashes, nausea, palpitations, increased cortisol and erections in male individuals
- Never to be taken with foods or substances containing
tyramine:
Liver
Cheese
Red wine
Certain decongestants
Tricyclic antidepressants, including imipramine, clomipramine and amitriptyline, and yohimbine taken concurrently may produce hypertension
Chemical Constituents:
- Indole alkaloids:
Alpha-Yohimbane
Beta-Yohimbane
Coryantheine
Pseudoyohombine
Yohimbine
Toxicity:
- 12 milligrams can induce a hypertensive crises if taken with tricyclic antidepressants
- 10 milligrams can induce mania in bipolar disease
- 15 milligrams have been associated with bronchospasm
- 15-20 milligrams of yohimbine alkaloid can induce hypertension
- Treatment for toxic dose:
Activated charcoal
Atropine
Emesis or gastric lavage
Monitor and treat serum potassium imbalance or
glucose/insulin
Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).