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Evidence summaries

Yohimbine for Erectile Dysfunction

Yohimbine appears to be more effective than placebo in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Level of evidence: "B"

A systematic review 1 including 7 RCTs with a total of 419 subjects was abstracted in DARE. The pooled OR for self-reported improvement was 3.85 (95% CI 2.22 to 6.67). Adverse effects necessitated 8 withdrawals. Reported adverse effects included hypertension, loss of anti-epileptic action of phenytoin, rash, anxiety, dizziness, increased urinary frequency, chills, headache, sweating, agitation, tachycardia, gastrointestinal disturbances, diarrhoea and lethargy.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by inconsistency (heterogeneity in results in different populations).

Another meta-analysis see reference 2.

    References

    • Ernst E, Pittler MH. Yohimbine for erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. J Urol 1998 Feb;159(2):433-6. [PubMed][DARE]
    • Carey MP, Johnson BT. Effectiveness of yohimbine in the treatment of erectile disorder: four meta-analytic integrations. Arch Sex Behav 1996 Aug;25(4):341-60. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords