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Journal of Medical Toxicology logoLink to Journal of Medical Toxicology
. 2009 Dec;5(4):223–225. doi: 10.1007/BF03178272

Refractory priapism associated with ingestion of yohimbe extract

Amy Myers 1, Fermin Barrueto 2,
PMCID: PMC3550410  PMID: 19876857

Abstract

Extracts of the bark of the central African treePausinystalia yohimbe contain yohimbine, an indole alkaloid, which is used to treat erectile dysfunction. The reported side effects of over-the-counter preparations of yohimbine include gastrointestinal upset, anxiety, increased blood pressure, headache, agitation, rash, tachycardia, and frequent urination. In this report, we describe a severe case of intractable priapism associated with the ingestion of yohimbe extract. Management required insertion of a proximal cavernosal spongiosum shunt (Quackles shunt) in the operating room.

Keywords: yohimbe, priapism, erectile dysfunction

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Footnotes

Notes: There was no outside funding of any kind used for this study

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