YOHIMBINE (Systemic)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• Actibine
• Aphrodyne
• Baron-X
• Dayto Himbin
• Prohim
• Thybine
• Yocon
• Yohimar
• Yohimex
• Yoman
• Yovital

In Canada?

• PMS-Yohimbine
• Yocon

Generic name product may be available in the U.S. and Canada.

Category

• Impotence therapy agent
• mydriatic
• sympatholytic

Description

Yohimbine (yo-HIM-been) is used to increase peripheral blood flow.It is also used to dilate the pupil of the eye.

Yohimbine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the followingdosage form:

Oral
• Tablets (U.S. and Canada)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For yohimbine, the followingshould be considered:

Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to yohimbine or any of the rauwolfia alkaloids, such asdeserpidine (e.g, Harmonyl), rauwolfia serpentina (e.g., Raudixin), or reserpine(e.g., Serpalan). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergicto any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific informationcomparing use of yohimbine in the elderly with use in other age groups, thismedicine has been used in some elderly patients and has not been shown tocause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in youngeradults.

Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of yohimbine. Make sure you tell your doctor ifyou have any other medical problems, especially:

• Angina pectoris or
• Depression or
• Other psychiatric illness or
• Heart disease or
• High blood pressure or
• Kidney disease?Yohimbine may make these conditions worse

• Liver disease?Effects of yohimbine may be increased becauseof slower removal from the body

Proper Use of This Medicine

Take thismedicine only as directed by your doctor to help your condition as much aspossible. Do not take more or less of it, and do not take it more or lessoften than your doctor ordered.

Dosing?

Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it assoon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage?To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in otherdamp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

It isimportant that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make surethat this medicine is working properly.

Use yohimbine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of itand do not use it more often than ordered. If too much is used, the risk ofside effects such as fast heartbeat and high blood pressure is increased.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they mayneed medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any ofthe following side effects occur:

Less common

Fast heartbeat; increased blood pressure

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to themedicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effectscontinue or are bothersome:

Less common

Dizziness; headache; irritability; nervousness or restlessness

Rare

Nausea and vomiting; skin flushing; sweating; tremor

Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Additional Information

Once a medicine has been approved for marketingfor a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medicalproblems. Yohimbine is used to treat men with the following medical condition:

• Impotence (not able to have erections)

The way yohimbine works is not known for sure. It is thought, however,to work by increasing the body's production of certain chemicals that helpproduce erections. It does not work in all men who are impotent.

This medicine usually begins to work about 2 to 3 weeks after you beginto take it.

The dose of yohimbine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label.The following information includes only the average doses of yohimbine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless yourdoctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For treating impotence:
    • Adults?5.4 to 6 milligrams (mg) three times a day.