Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

YOHIMBINE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Yohimbine is an alkaloid; the active principal of yohimbe, the bark of Coryanthe yohimbe
(family Rubiacea), the bark of the of Pseudocinchona africana (Chev.), and Rauwolfia
serpentina ( Apocynaceae). It produces a competitive blockade, of limited duration, alpha-
adrenergic receptors. Has also been used for its alleged aphrodisiac properties. Has been
used in the treatment of paresthesia. Reported to have antidiuretic properties. Dye

SYNONYMS

C21-H26-N2-O3, "yohimban-16-alpha-carboxylic acid, 17-alpha-hydroxy-, methyl ester",
"yohimban-16-alpha-carboxylic acid, 17-alpha-hydroxy-, methyl ester", "17-
hydroxyyohimban-16-carboxylic acid methyl ester", "17-hydroxyyohimban-16-carboxylic acid
methyl ester", "yohimbic acid methyl ester", yohimbin, Aphrodine, Aphrosol, Corynine,
Quebrachin, Quebrachine, "alpha-adrenoreceptor block", "adrenergic blocker", aphrodisiac

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be seriously damaging to the health of the individual; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 40 gram may be fatal.  Yohimbine produces a weak but specific competitive alpha-adrenergic blockade of short duration. Effects of exposure include orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure in the upright position), nausea, abdominal distress, miosis (contraction of the pupil), weakness and fatigue. Central nervous activity is much less prominent than with natural ergot alkaloids and yohimbine does not block the actions of adrenaline (epinephrine) on the heart.  Yohimbine blocks hydroxytryptamine receptors. It penetrates the central nervous system readily producing a complex pattern of responses which include antidiuresis, elevation of blood pressure and heart rate, increased motor activity, irritability and tremor, sweating, nausea and vomiting. It is a selective inhibitor of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors enhancing neural release of norepinephrine (noradrenaline). Prolonged exposure can cause nerve and heart damage.  Side-effects of alpha-adrenoreceptor (alpha-adrenergic) blockade may include orthostatic hypotension, reflex tachycardia, nasal congestion, dryness of the mouth, miosis, drowsiness, sedation and inhibition of ejaculation. Severe hypotension may occur in overdose.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may cause transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn). Slight abrasive damage may also result. The material may produce foreign body irritation in certain individuals.  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Abrasive damage however, may result from prolonged exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce serious health damage*.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of dusts, or fume, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Long-term exposure to the product is not thought to produce chronic effects adverse to the health (as classified using animal models); nevertheless exposure by all routes should be minimized as a matter of course.  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.