Drug interactions
Epinephrine + Yohimbe
Severity: Major
Epinephrine and Yohimbe: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Yohimbe contains yohimbine, an alpha-2 antagonist that raises central sympathetic outflow and norepinephrine release. Added to exogenous epinephrine, this can produce significant hypertension, tachycardia and arrhythmias. Product content of yohimbe supplements is variable, which makes the effect hard to predict.
What this interaction means in plain words
Epinephrine and Yohimbe can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Additive sympathomimetic effects: yohimbine alpha-2 blockade increases noradrenergic activity while epinephrine directly stimulates adrenergic receptors.
What to do
Advise patients to stop yohimbe supplements before procedures involving epinephrine, and avoid combining them. If epinephrine must be given, monitor blood pressure and ECG.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Epinephrine
- Epinephrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Epinephrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Epinephrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Epinephrine Major
- Amitriptyline + Epinephrine Major
- Amoxapine + Epinephrine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Epinephrine with Yohimbe?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Epinephrine and Yohimbe can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Yohimbe contains yohimbine, an alpha-2 antagonist that raises central sympathetic outflow and norepinephrine release. Added to exogenous epinephrine, this can produce significant hypertension, tachycardia and arrhythmias. Product content of yohimbe supplements is variable, which makes the effect hard to predict.
How serious is the interaction between Epinephrine and Yohimbe?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to stop yohimbe supplements before procedures involving epinephrine, and avoid combining them. If epinephrine must be given, monitor blood pressure and ECG.
What other medicines interact with Epinephrine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Epinephrine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine. The full list is on the Epinephrine page.
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