Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For yohimbine, the following should be considered:
Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to yohimbine or any of the rauwolfia alkaloids, such as deserpidine (e.g, Harmonyl), rauwolfia serpentina (e.g., Raudixin), or reserpine (e.g., Serpalan). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of yohimbine in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine has been used in some elderly patients and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of yohimbine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you 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 because of slower removal from the body
Proper Use of This Medicine
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor to help your condition as much as possible. Do not take more or less of it, and do not take it more or less often than your doctor ordered.
Dosing—
Missed dose—
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed 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 other damp 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 sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly.
Use yohimbine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than ordered. If too much is used, the risk of side 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 may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
* Less common
o 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 the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
* Less common
o Dizziness; headache; irritability; nervousness or restlessness
* Rare
o Nausea and vomiting; skin flushing; sweating; tremor
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Additional Information
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. 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 help produce erections. It does not work in all men who are impotent.
This medicine usually begins to work about 2 to 3 weeks after you begin to 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 your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.
* For oral dosage form (tablets):
o For treating impotence:
+ Adults—5.4 to 6 milligrams (mg) three times a day.
