Yohimbine
Patient counselling
Yohimbine may increase saliva volume for a few hours after using the medication. This has been shown to occur in people using medications that cause dry mouth and may be an option if other treatments have not relieved symptoms. The dose of yohimbine used for this purpose varies, but is usually 4mg three times daily.
A drug form of yohimbine is available by prescription. Other forms, such as dietary supplements and yohimbe bark extract are commonly available in capsules or as tea, although these forms have not yet been approved for sale in Canada. The information available to support using yohimbine is from the use of the drug form, not the extract, so it is not clear if the extract will have the same effect in terms of increased saliva volume.
This medication may not be safe for everyone so it is important to talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting this medication. Yohimbine may cause high blood pressure, increased heart rate, headache, anxiety, and sleeplessness in some people. These side effects may be related to the dose.
Reference:
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Herbs at a Glance: Yohimbe. Available at: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/yohimbe. Accessed July 15, 2013
A drug form of yohimbine is available by prescription. Other forms, such as dietary supplements and yohimbe bark extract are commonly available in capsules or as tea, although these forms have not yet been approved for sale in Canada. The information available to support using yohimbine is from the use of the drug form, not the extract, so it is not clear if the extract will have the same effect in terms of increased saliva volume.
This medication may not be safe for everyone so it is important to talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting this medication. Yohimbine may cause high blood pressure, increased heart rate, headache, anxiety, and sleeplessness in some people. These side effects may be related to the dose.
Reference:
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Herbs at a Glance: Yohimbe. Available at: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/yohimbe. Accessed July 15, 2013