Yohimbine

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Yohimbine
Systematic (IUPAC) name
17α-hydroxy-yohimban-16α- carboxylic acid methyl ester
Identifiers
CAS number	146-48-5
ATC code	G04 BE04
PubChem	8969
Chemical data
Formula	C₂₁H₂₆N₂O₃
Mol. weight	354.44 g/mol (base) 390.90 g/mol (hydrochloride)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	?
Half life	?
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status
Routes	?

Yohimbine, also known under the outdated names quebrachin, aphrodin, corynine, yohimvetol, and hydroergotocin, is the principal alkaloid of the bark of the West-African tree Pausinystalia yohimbe Pierre (formerly Corynanthe yohimbe), family Rubiaceae (Madder family). There are 31 other yohimbane alkaloids found in Yohimbe.

[edit] Pharmacology

Yohimbine is a selective competitive alpha2-adrenergic receptor antagonist and is used for treating erectile dysfunction. It is claimed to be an aphrodisiac. It is also used as a weight loss supplement as it increases noradrenaline (norepinephrine) levels.

Higher doses of oral yohimbine create numerous side effects such as rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and overstimulation. yohimbine is also used clinically to produce anxiety.

Some internet shops even sell expensive formulations of yohimbine for transdermal delivery to effect a local reduction of adipose tissue, although there is no evidence that it is effective. Sources of demand for products of this kind frequently come from the bodybuilding community.

Research shows it is a vasodilator, which means that it increases blood flow to the extremities and appendages. It does this via an indirect mechanism of increasing the release of noradrenaline.

Controlled studies suggest that it is not a particularly effective treatment for impotence, and evidence of increased sex drive (libido) is anecdotal only [1]. It has significant side effects such as postural hypotension and can cause anxiety reactions.

Yohimbine also has been shown to decrease fat synthesis in the body by increasing fatty acid mobilization (causing weight loss).

In veterinary medicine, yohimbine is used to reverse anesthesia from the drug xylazine in small and large animals.

While many in the medical profession regard yohimbine to be a potential health risk, and advise people not to take it, the fact that it has been a proven weight loss and body fat reduction agent continue to make it a popular supplement.

[edit] External links

Urologicals (G04) edit
Acidifiers:	Ammonium chloride, Calcium chloride
Urinary antispasmodics:	Darifenacin, Emepronium, Flavoxate, Meladrazine, Oxybutynin, Propiverine, Solifenacin, Terodiline, Tolterodine, Trospium
For erectile dysfunction:	Alprostadil, Apomorphine, Moxisylyte, Papaverine, Phentolamine, Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil, Yohimbine
Other urologicals:	Acetohydroxamic acid, Collagen, Dimethyl sulfoxide, Magnesium hydroxide, Phenazopyridine, Phenyl salicylate, Succinimide
For benign prostatic hypertrophy:	5α-reductase inhibitors: Dutasteride, Finasteride Alpha blockers: Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin, Terazosin Herbals: Pygeum africanum, Serenoa repens