The bark of the yohimbe tree, an evergreen that grows in Africa, contains yohimbine, a prescription drug sold to treat impotence in men. Yohimbe bark supplements sold over-the-counter can be taken in capsule form or as a tea. Because the herb is not regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration, supplements may contain varying amounts of the active ingredient, yohimbine. Do not take this supplement without your medical practitioner's approval, since it has a number of side effects, some potentially serious.
Common Side Effects
The suggested dose of yohimbine in prescription form is 15 to 30 mg daily, according to iHerb. Common side effects at recommended doses include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, trouble sleeping, headaches, shakiness or tremors and a rapid heartbeat. Skin flushing and increased sweating may also occur. People with known psychiatric problems should not take yohimbe, which can cause psychosis in susceptible people. Yohimbe may also worsen kidney problems in people with existing kidney problems.
Drug Interactions
Yohimbe interacts with a number of medications, including two classes of drugs used to treat depression: tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine inhibitors, often called MAO inhibitors. Taking yohimbe with ethanol or morphine may cause increased analgesic effects. Taking yohimbe with physostigmine may cause increased agitation and anxiety in Alzheimer's patients. Patients taking clonidine to treat high blood pressure may experience an increased effect when taking yohimbe with clonidine. Yohimbe also interacts with phenothiazides, drugs taken to treat psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. If you take any prescription or over-the-counter medications, do not use yohimbe without first discussing its use with your medical practitioner.
Overdoses
Yohimbine has a narrow therapeutic safety margin, meaning that taking just slightly more than the recommended dose can cause serious side effects. Since supplements are not regulated by the FDA, it's possible that the supplement you take may contain more of the drug than the labeling indicates, making unintentional overdose possible. Doses over 40 mg a day can cause severe hypotension, or low blood pressure, abdominal pain, paralysis and hallucinations, according to iHerb.
Life-Threatening Reactions
Some side effects from yohimbe can be life-threatening, especially if the drug is taken in large doses or over a long period of time. Bronchospasm, a tightening of the airway that makes breathing difficult, may occur. Irregular heartbeat, heart failure, seizures and death have occurred.
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