The role of yohimbine for the treatment of erectile impotence.

A double-blind crossover study of yohimbine vs. placebo was carried out in 40 patients. Eleven of 33 patients (33%) who completed the study had subjective improvement of erection while taking yohimbine alone, five of 33 (15%) responded while taking both yohimbine and placebo, five of 33 (15%) responded to placebo alone, and 12 of 33 (36%) responded to neither. Of 215 impotent patients subsequently treated with yohimbine, 38% reported some subjective improvement, but only 5% were completely satisfied. The physiologic response of yohimbine appears to occur in the central nervous system. Recent experience suggests that the typical dose has little side effect and higher doses achieves better results, but this conclusion requires more evaluation.