Side Effects Of Yohimbine Hcl

Yohimbine is an extract from the bark of the African yohimbe tree, Pausinystalia yohimbe. For centuries, yohimbine was used as an aphrodisiac by indigenous people wherever the tree was found. According to "World Journal of Urology," early studies showed that yohimbine performed better than placebo for treating erectile dysfunction. However, Dr. James Duke, author of "The Green Pharmacy," points out that nonstandardized yohimbe extracts were responsible for a significant number of side effects. This issue was partially addressed when yohimbe's active ingredient was isolated and used to create yohimbine hydrochloride, a prescription drug.

How Yohimbine Works

Yohimbine HCl attaches to specific receptors in your brain and peripheral nervous system, thereby increasing the release of epinephrine, or adrenalin, and norepinephrine. The "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines" outlines how these neurotransmitters can exert different effects in various tissues. Their actions in your brain can enhance recall and improve sexual drive. Your blood pressure may increase due to constriction of your arteries. Your salivary glands may produce more saliva. Penile rigidity can increase due to changes in pelvic blood flow. All of these effects have been exploited therapeutically, but they also account for many of yohimbine's side effects.

General Side Effects

Because yohimbine HCl increases brain and blood levels of stimulatory neurotransmitters, its common side effects include agitation, trembling, racing heart or palpitations, insomnia, confusion, dizziness, headache, frequent urination, nausea and vomiting. A 2010 review in "Annals of Pharmacotherapy" reported that side effects due to yohimbine HCl tended to be more severe and more likely to require medical attention than those due to many other medications.

High Blood Pressure

Yohimbine's tendency to raise blood pressure in certain individuals grows more prominent when the medication is used for prolonged periods of time. This observation prompted manufacturers of yohimbine HCl to recommend that it not be used for periods longer than 10 weeks.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

A 1997 study in "Archives of General Psychiatry" showed that some patients with posttraumatic stress disorder experienced a higher incidence of panic attacks, anxiety, heightened response to noise and other psychiatric symptoms when they received yohimbine HCl. These adverse reactions did not occur in all individuals with PTSD.

Painful Erection

Yohimbine HCl's effect on penile blood vessels leads to improved erectile function in about one-third of men who take the medication. However, a rare, exaggerated response to yohimbine, called priapism, has been reported in the scientific literature. Priapism is characterized by prolonged, painful erections that sometimes require surgical treatment.

Precautions

Yohimbine HCl has been approved for several medical conditions, including erectile dysfunction. This medication's herbal background does not necessarily guarantee its safety. If you have kidney or liver disease, or if you already have blood pressure problems, you should avoid yohimbine. If you think yohimbine HCl would be helpful for you, talk to your physician.