Yohimbine

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Also known as YohimbinumYohimbinic acidbeta-yohimbineSID46501178SID90340710SID144203570SID170465467YOHIMBINE_RAUWOLSCINEYohmbine

Summary

Yohimbine (CHEMBL15245) is an approved small-molecule α-adrenergic antagonist (ATC G04BE04) targeting HTR5A, HTR7, and HTR1A; indicated across 10 conditions including erectile dysfunction and post-traumatic stress disorder.

At a glance

  • Status: Approved (max clinical phase 4)
  • Modality: Small molecule
  • ATC class: G04BE04
  • Targets: 12 (HTR5A, HTR7, HTR1A…)
  • Indications: 10 conditions
  • Clinical trials: 20
  • Chemistry: 354.4 Da · C21H26N2O3

Identifiers

Drug identity and classification

FieldValue
ChEMBL IDCHEMBL15245
NameYohimbine
TypeSmall molecule
Max phase3
FDA approvedyes
PubChem CID8969
ChEBICHEBI:10093
ATCG04BE04
Molecular formulaC21H26N2O3
Molecular weight354.4
InChIKeyBLGXFZZNTVWLAY-SCYLSFHTSA-N

SMILES: COC(=O)[C@H]1[C@H](CC[C@@H]2[C@@H]1C[C@H]3C4=C(CCN3C2)C5=CC=CC=C5N4)O

IUPAC name: methyl (1S,15R,18S,19R,20S)-18-hydroxy-1,3,11,12,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21-dodecahydroyohimban-19-carboxylate

ChEBI definition: An indole alkaloid with α2-adrenoceptor antagonist activity. It is produced by Corynanthe johimbe and Rauwolfia serpentina.

Pharmacological roles (ChEBI): α-adrenergic antagonist, serotonergic antagonist, dopamine receptor D2 antagonist.

Also known as: Yohimbine, Yohimbinum, yohimbine, Yohimbinic acid, beta-yohimbine, SID46501178, SID90340710, SID144203570, SID170465467, YOHIMBINE, YOHIMBINE_RAUWOLSCINE, Yohmbine

Parent form; salt/anhydrous children: CHEMBL537669

Patent coverage: 3,830 distinct patent families (11,917 SureChEMBL compound mentions), from 2 matched compound structure(s). One matched structure accounts for 11,825 (99%) of the total. Mentions count patents naming the compound (not distinct inventions), so promiscuous / reference molecules inflate the mention figure — families are the dedup metric.

Targets

Targets

Primary targets (GtoPdb curated mechanism): the Cancer dependency column is the DepMap CRISPR fitness signal (% of screened cell lines dependent on the target).

GeneTargetActionpAffinityCancer dependencyUniProt
HTR5A5-HT5A receptorAntagonist5.30%P47898
HTR75-HT7 receptorAntagonist5.60.8%P34969
HTR1A5-HT1A receptorAntagonist7.30%P08908
ADRA2Aα2A-adrenoceptorAntagonist8.70.1%P08913
ADRA2Bα2B-adrenoceptorAntagonist8.40.2%P18089
ADRA2Cα2C-adrenoceptorAntagonist8.80%P18825
HTR1B5-HT1B receptorAntagonist7.60.2%P28222
TAS2R2TAS2R2AgonistQ50KZ9
HTR1D5-HT1D receptorAntagonist7.70%P28221
HTR1E5-ht1e receptorAntagonist5.90%P28566
HTR1F5-HT1F receptorAntagonist70.1%P30939
HTR2B5-HT2B receptorAntagonist7.90.4%P41595

Broader ChEMBL bioactivity targets: 43 (assay-derived). Sample: DNA topoisomerase 1, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2B, Alpha-2A adrenergic receptor, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1B, Adrenergic receptor alpha-1, Alpha-2C adrenergic receptor, Histamine H2 receptor, Alpha-2B adrenergic receptor, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1D, D(1A) dopamine receptor.

Bioactivity

ChEMBL activities: 210 potent at pChembl ≥ 5 of 220 total. Top 30 by potency (10 = 0.1 nM, 6 = 1 µM):

TargetpChemblTypeValueUnitActivity ID
ADRB210.4Ki0.04nMCHEMBL_ACT_25553926
ADRA2C9.6Ki0.25nMCHEMBL_ACT_25841768
ADRA2A9.4Ki0.4nMCHEMBL_ACT_320441
ADRA2A9.38Ki0.42nMCHEMBL_ACT_302388
ADRA2C9.3Ki0.5nMCHEMBL_ACT_14738660
ADRA2C9.3Ki0.5nMCHEMBL_ACT_15187871
P305459.22Ki0.6nMCHEMBL_ACT_320438
ADRA2A9.22Ki0.6nMCHEMBL_ACT_320442
P193289.22Ki0.6nMCHEMBL_ACT_320443
ADRA2C9.1Ki0.8nMCHEMBL_ACT_19150882
ADRA2C9.06Ki0.88nMCHEMBL_ACT_1523021
ADRA2A9.05Ki0.9nMCHEMBL_ACT_320430
P193289Ki1nMCHEMBL_ACT_320436
ADRA1B8.96Ki1.1nMCHEMBL_ACT_320429
ADRA2B8.94Ki1.16nMCHEMBL_ACT_19150877
ADRA2A8.85Ki1.4nMCHEMBL_ACT_1523022
ADRA2C8.81Ki1.55nMCHEMBL_ACT_25982810
ADRA1D8.8Ki1.6nMCHEMBL_ACT_320426
ADRA2A8.74Ki1.8nMCHEMBL_ACT_320431
P193288.7Ki2nMCHEMBL_ACT_1268453
ADRA2B8.7Ki2nMCHEMBL_ACT_25841767
ADRA2C8.7Ki2nMCHEMBL_ACT_25982807
ADRA2B8.7Ki2.01nMCHEMBL_ACT_302389
ADRA2C8.64Ki2.3nMCHEMBL_ACT_504038
ADRA2A8.64Ki2.31nMCHEMBL_ACT_7792995
P193288.62Ki2.4nMCHEMBL_ACT_320445
ADRA2A8.58Ki2.63nMCHEMBL_ACT_25982798
ADRA2A8.52Ki3nMCHEMBL_ACT_25982795
ADRA2A8.52Ki3nMCHEMBL_ACT_320432
ADRA2A8.51Ki3.1nMCHEMBL_ACT_1268452

Target pathways

Aggregated over 12 target gene(s): HTR5A, HTR7, HTR1A, ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1B, TAS2R2, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B.

Top Reactome pathways

23 total, by targets touching each:

PathwayTargetsGenes
Signal Transduction11ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
Signaling by GPCR11ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
Class A/1 (Rhodopsin-like receptors)11ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
Amine ligand-binding receptors11ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
GPCR ligand binding11ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
GPCR downstream signalling10ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
Serotonin receptors8HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
G alpha (i) signalling events8ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR5A
Hemostasis3ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C
Adrenoceptors3ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C
Adrenaline signalling through Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor3ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C
G alpha (z) signalling events3ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C
Platelet activation, signaling and aggregation3ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C
Platelet Aggregation (Plug Formation)3ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C
Metabolism2ADRA2A, ADRA2C
Integration of energy metabolism2ADRA2A, ADRA2C
Metabolism of proteins2ADRA2A, ADRA2C
Adrenaline,noradrenaline inhibits insulin secretion2ADRA2A, ADRA2C
Regulation of insulin secretion2ADRA2A, ADRA2C
Surfactant metabolism2ADRA2A, ADRA2C
G alpha (q) signalling events1HTR2B
G alpha (s) signalling events1HTR7
RHOBTB3 ATPase cycle1HTR7

Dominant GO biological processes

GO termTargets
G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway11
signal transduction11
G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway, coupled to cyclic nucleotide second messenger8
chemical synaptic transmission8
adenylate cyclase-activating G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway6
adenylate cyclase-inhibiting serotonin receptor signaling pathway6
adenylate cyclase-inhibiting G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway6
G protein-coupled serotonin receptor signaling pathway4
vasoconstriction4
regulation of vasoconstriction4
regulation of behavior4
smooth muscle contraction3
positive regulation of cell population proliferation3
epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway3
negative regulation of norepinephrine secretion3

Indications & clinical

Indications

10 indications (1 at ChEMBL trial phase 4). Phase below is the highest clinical-trial phase recorded for this drug against each disease — not the molecule’s overall approval status (that is in the Summary).

IndicationTrial phaseMONDOEFO
erectile dysfunction4MONDO:0005362EFO:0004234
post-traumatic stress disorder2MONDO:0005146EFO:0001358
cocaine dependence2MONDO:0005186EFO:0002610
opiate dependence2MONDO:0005530EFO:0010702
type 2 diabetes mellitus2MONDO:0005148MONDO:0005148
alcohol abuse2MONDO:0002046MONDO:0007079
orthostatic hypotension1MONDO:0005469EFO:0005252
cannabis dependence1MONDO:0005689EFO:0007191
postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome1MONDO:0011479EFO:1000645
Parkinson disease0MONDO:0005180MONDO:0005180

Clinical trials

Total trials: 20.

Phase distribution

PhaseTrials
PHASE27
Not specified7
PHASE13
PHASE42
EARLY_PHASE11

Top trials by phase / activity

NCTPhaseStatusTitle
NCT00975325PHASE4COMPLETEDBioequivalence Study Comparing Two Test Products With One Reference Product, All Containing 5 mg Yohimbine
NCT06018727PHASE4WITHDRAWNRole Of Sensitivity to neuroEndocrine Systems in Social Decisions
NCT04231708PHASE2NOT_YET_RECRUITINGEffects of Pharmacological Stress and rTMS on Executive Function in Opioid Use Disorder
NCT00535002PHASE2COMPLETEDThe Effect of Yohimbine on Cocaine Cue Reactivity
NCT00605904PHASE2COMPLETEDModulation of Pharmacologically Induced Alcohol Craving in Recently Detoxified Alcoholics
NCT01031979PHASE2COMPLETEDProlonged Exposure for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) With/Without Yohimbine
NCT01593215PHASE2COMPLETEDRandomized Study of Yohimbine Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Patients Carrying a Specific Genetic Risk Variant
NCT04180969PHASE2WITHDRAWNrTMS of Limbic Circuitry in Stress Modulation in Healthy Volunteers
NCT04181515PHASE2WITHDRAWNUsing rTMS to Explore Neural Mechanisms of Stress-Induced Opioid Use
NCT00223691PHASE1COMPLETEDTreatment of Orthostatic Hypotension in Autonomic Failure
NCT00748059PHASE1COMPLETEDThe Pathophysiology of Orthostatic Hypotension
NCT03154567PHASE1COMPLETEDEffects of Stress and Drug-cue Exposure (SCM)
NCT02963181EARLY_PHASE1TERMINATEDEffects of Melatonin to Reduce Nocturnal Hypertension in Patients With Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension
NCT00029627Not specifiedCOMPLETEDBrain Receptors in Sympathetic Nervous System Regulation
NCT00032838Not specifiedCOMPLETEDEffects of Stress Hormones on Emotion and Cognition
NCT01621620Not specifiedUNKNOWNThe Role of Sympatho-vagal Balance on Different Limbs of Pain Perception in Healthy Subjects
NCT02470026Not specifiedCOMPLETEDNoradrenergic Activity, Cognition and Major Depressive Disorder
NCT02541071Not specifiedCOMPLETEDInfluence of the Noradrenergic System on the Formation of Intrusive Memories
NCT04359147Not specifiedCOMPLETEDThe Role of Stress Neuromodulators in Decision Making Under Risk and Selective Attention to Threat
NCT06939608Not specifiedCOMPLETEDKinetics of Yohimbine in Humans to Explore Sex and CYP2D6 Genotype Interactions

Clinical evidence (CIViC)

No CIViC predictive evidence (expected for non-precision-medicine drugs).

Pharmacology

Pharmacogenomics

No CPIC/DPWG dosing guideline or drug-level clinical/variant annotations in PharmGKB for this molecule.

Molecules sharing ≥1 of this drug’s curated primary targets, merged from two biobtree sources and ranked by shared-target count, then clinical phase: ChEMBL clinical-stage candidates (development phase ≥2) and PubChem drug-class bioactivity (approved / known drugs acting on the target). Deduplicated by drug name; the drug’s own salt forms are excluded. Note: for a drug with few primary targets a shared-target match can reflect off-target / promiscuous binding rather than the same therapeutic mechanism — the phase ordering surfaces bona-fide therapeutics first.

817 molecules share ≥1 primary target. Top 60 by shared-target count:

MoleculeSourceStatusShared targets
DihydroergotamineChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
RISPERIDONEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
BREXPIPRAZOLEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
CLOZAPINEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
ERGOTAMINEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A
IMIPRAMINEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
OLANZAPINEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
CyproheptadineChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
PramipexoleChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1E, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
ARIPIPRAZOLEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
CARIPRAZINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
NEFAZODONEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
QUETIAPINEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR7
SUMATRIPTANChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
TEGASERODChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1D, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
AZELASTINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR2B, HTR7
KETANSERINChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
SILODOSINChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR2B, HTR7
VILAZODONEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR2B, HTR7
SEROTONINChEMBL + PubChemPhase 3 (approved)HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
LATREPIRDINEChEMBLPhase 3ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
MEBUFOTENINChEMBLPhase 2HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
RITANSERINChEMBLPhase 2ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1E, HTR5A, HTR7
AMOXAPINEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
CHLORPROMAZINEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
CinacalcetChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1D, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
DOXEPINChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
HALOPERIDOLChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
LOXAPINEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
METHYLERGONOVINEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B
RIZATRIPTANChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B
ZIPRASIDONEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1E, HTR2B, HTR7
ASTEMIZOLEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
MIANSERINChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1D, HTR2B, HTR7
OXYMETAZOLINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR2B
PRAZOSINChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1D, HTR2B, HTR5A
PROMAZINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
XYLOMETAZOLINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR2B
NIGULDIPINEChEMBLPhase 2ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR5A, HTR7
PENFLURIDOLChEMBLPhase 2ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1D, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
PSILOCINChEMBLPhase 2HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
SPIPERONEChEMBLPhase 2ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
SPIRAMIDEChEMBLPhase 2ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1D, HTR2B, HTR7
ASENAPINEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR1E, HTR2B
Candesartan CilexetilChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR5A
HYDROXYZINEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
LasmiditanChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
PALIPERIDONEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR7
SORAFENIBChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)HTR1A, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2B, HTR5A, HTR7
TAMSULOSINChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR7
CARVEDILOLChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR7
CISAPRIDEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR7
FLUPHENAZINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR7
IPRINDOLEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR5A
KETOTIFENChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1B, HTR2B, HTR7
LURASIDONEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR7
METHYSERGIDEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR7
MIRTAZAPINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR7
PERPHENAZINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, HTR1A, HTR2B, HTR7
SALMETEROLChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)ADRA2B, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR2B, HTR7