Patients with kidney disease, peptic ulcer or pregnant or breast-feeding women should not use yohimbe.⁹ Standard amounts may occasionally cause dizziness, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, increased blood pressure, and rapid heart beat,¹⁰ though all of these are rare.¹¹ Using more than 40 mg of yohimbine per day can cause dangerous side effects, including loss of muscle function, chills, and vertigo. Some people will also experience hallucinations when taking higher amounts of yohimbine.¹² Taking 200 mg yohimbine in one case led to only a brief episode of hypertension, palpitations, and anxiety.¹³ People with post-traumatic stress disorder¹⁴ and panic disorder¹⁵ should avoid yohimbe as it may worsen their condition.

Special United Kingdom considerations

Yohimbe may be prescribed by a doctor or dispensed under the supervision of a chemist.