Drug interactions
Phenelzine + Yohimbine
Severity: Contraindicated
Phenelzine and Yohimbine: contraindicated 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
Yohimbine blocks alpha-2 receptors and increases norepinephrine release, and MAO inhibition raises neuronal norepinephrine. This can lead to marked hypertension, anxiety and tachycardia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Phenelzine and Yohimbine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
Alpha-2 antagonism enhances noradrenergic release in the presence of MAO-inhibitor-increased norepinephrine stores.
What to do
Avoid the combination. If yohimbine has been taken, monitor blood pressure and heart rate closely.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Phenelzine and Yohimbine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Phenelzine
- 5-HTP + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Phenelzine with Yohimbine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Phenelzine and Yohimbine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Yohimbine blocks alpha-2 receptors and increases norepinephrine release, and MAO inhibition raises neuronal norepinephrine. This can lead to marked hypertension, anxiety and tachycardia.
How serious is the interaction between Phenelzine and Yohimbine?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination. If yohimbine has been taken, monitor blood pressure and heart rate closely.
What other medicines interact with Phenelzine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Phenelzine with, for example, 5-HTP, Amitriptyline, Amoxapine. The full list is on the Phenelzine page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
