Uses for Yohimbine
Yohimbine hydrochloride is a standardized form of the chemical yohimbine, derived from the bark of the Pausinystalia yohimbe tree. Yohimbine hydrochloride is available as a prescription drug under several brand names, while yohimbe bark extract can be purchased in health food stores. The bark extract has much lower amounts of the chemical than the prescription drug does. The U.S. National Institutes of Health notes that although yohimbine is used to treat several conditions, supportive research is lacking for some of these uses.
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Low Blood Pressure
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Yohimbine hydrochloride can be beneficial for treating orthostatic hypotension, or low blood pressure that occurs when standing up. People with this condition may feel dizzy or lightheaded when they get up from sitting or lying down, and may even faint. Yohimbine can lead to high blood pressure when used by people with normal blood pressure, particularly when taken in conjunction with pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine or phenylpropanolamine.
Erectile Dysfunction
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Treating erectile dysfunction was once a common use for yohimbine, as it seems to increase blood flow in the penis. The medication usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to start working for this purpose. It also may be useful for resolving orgasmic dysfunction. After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Viagra in 1998, yohimbine was no longer prescribed as frequently for this purpose.
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Antidepressant Side Effects
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Yohimbine may be useful for treating side effects caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are antidepressant drugs. These effects include persistent dry mouth (xerostomia) and sexual side effects, such as erectile dysfunction, ejaculation problems and decreased interest in sex by both men and women.
Increasing Blood Flow
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Because it dilates blood vessels, yohimbine also may be effective at increasing peripheral blood flow, or blood flow to the arms, hands, legs and feet. This can be beneficial for people with certain types of circulation problems and those experiencing diabetic neuropathy. Yohimbine also can be used to dilate the pupils of the eyes.
Considerations
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Yohimbine is usually not a preferred treatment because of associated side effects as well as lack of supportive research. In addition to the possibility of high blood pressure, other possible side effects include rapid heart rate, flushing, sweating, nervousness, tremors, headache and dizziness. People with heart disease should not take yohimbine.
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