Drug & supplement interaction

Yohimbe + Pazopanib

Pazopanib brand name: Votrient.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Pazopanib falls into 4 drug categories that Yohimbe can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, CYP3A4 inhibitors might increase the levels and adverse effects of yohimbine, a constituent of yohimbe bark.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions4
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
Know someone taking this? Share
Facebook Post Reddit Email
On this page
Interaction report

Yohimbe and Pazopanib

These two interact in 4 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 4 Interactions?

Yohimbe interacts with whole categories of medication. Pazopanib falls into 4 of those categories, so it can interact with Yohimbe in 4 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) INHIBITORS

1 of 4

Why this applies to Pazopanib

Pazopanib falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) INHIBITORS — the group Yohimbe interacts with.

Theoretically, CYP3A4 inhibitors might increase the levels and adverse effects of yohimbine, a constituent of yohimbe bark.
In vitro and clinical research shows that the yohimbe bark constituent, yohimbine, is metabolized by CYP3A4 enzymes. Theoretically, drugs that inhibit CYP3A4 might increase the levels and adverse effects of yohimbine.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the twist with this pairing: it's the yohimbe that gets affected, not so much your cancer medicine. Pazopanib can act as a blocker of the liver enzyme CYP3A4, which is the very enzyme that breaks down yohimbine, the active piece of yohimbe bark. If that enzyme is slowed down, yohimbine can pile up in your body and hit harder than expected.

For you that means a bigger chance of yohimbe's rougher effects, like a racing heart, spikes in blood pressure, anxiety, and the jitters. Keep in mind Pazopanib itself is already known to raise blood pressure, so stacking these together is a real concern. This is based on how the drugs work on paper rather than firm studies, but please check with your oncologist or pharmacist before mixing them.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Le Corre P, Parmer RJ, Kailasam MT, et al. Human sympathetic activation by alpha2-adrenergic blockade with yohimbine: Bimodal, epistatic influence of cytochrome P450-mediated drug metabolism. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2004;76(2):139-53.
  2. Bharucha AE, Skaar T, Andrews CN, et al Relationship of cytochrome P450 pharmacogenetics to the effects of yohimbine on gastrointestinal transit and catecholamines in healthy subjects. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2008;20(8):891-9. PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) INHIBITORS

2 of 4

Pazopanib also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) INHIBITORS.

CYP2D6 inhibitors may increase the levels and adverse effects of yohimbine, a constituent of yohimbe.
In vitro and clinical research shows that the yohimbe bark constituent, yohimbine, is metabolized by CYP2D6 isoenzymes. Paroxetine, a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 inhibitor, increases the maximum serum concentration of yohimbine and reduces the clearance of yohimbine compared to yohimbine alone in patients who are extensive CYP2D6 metabolizers..
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence B

Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the key thing to understand about this pairing: it's the yohimbe that gets affected, not your pazopanib. Yohimbine (the active part of yohimbe) is broken down by a liver enzyme called CYP2D6. Pazopanib happens to block that same enzyme, so adding pazopanib can let yohimbine build up in your body instead of clearing out normally.

When yohimbine piles up, its rough side effects get amplified, things like a racing heartbeat, a spike in blood pressure, anxiety, and jitteriness. That's a real concern when you're already managing kidney cancer treatment. Since over-the-counter yohimbe products vary so much in strength, I'd hold off and check with your oncologist or pharmacist before combining the two.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Le Corre P, Parmer RJ, Kailasam MT, et al. Human sympathetic activation by alpha2-adrenergic blockade with yohimbine: Bimodal, epistatic influence of cytochrome P450-mediated drug metabolism. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2004;76(2):139-53.
  2. Mueller-Schoell A, Michelet R, Weinelt F, Kloft C, Mikus G. CYP2D6 phenotype explains reported yohimbine concentrations in four severe acute intoxications. Arch Toxicol. 2021. PubMed
  3. Bharucha AE, Skaar T, Andrews CN, et al Relationship of cytochrome P450 pharmacogenetics to the effects of yohimbine on gastrointestinal transit and catecholamines in healthy subjects. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2008;20(8):891-9. PubMed
  4. Vay M, Meyer MJ, Blank A, et al. Oral yohimbine as a new probe drug to predict CYP2D6 activity: results of a fixed-sequence phase I trial. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2020;59(7):927-939. PubMed
Minor

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS

3 of 4

Pazopanib also falls under ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS.

Theoretically, combining yohimbe bark with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs might have additive effects; however, this has not been reported in clinical research.
Research in healthy adults shows that taking yohimbine, a constituent of yohimbe bark, in doses of 8 mg or more, seems to inhibit platelet aggregation in vitro by binding to the alpha-2 adrenoceptor. The effects of yohimbe bark itself are unclear; yohimbe bark contains 0.6% to 1.38% yohimbine, but it is unclear how much is absorbed.
Severity Minor Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist for Votrient (pazopanib). Pazopanib isn't a blood thinner by trade, but it can raise your risk of bleeding on its own, and it can also nudge blood pressure up. Yohimbe, in lab studies, seemed to make platelets a little less sticky at yohimbine doses of 8 mg or more. So in theory, stacking the two could add up to a slightly higher chance of bruising or bleeding.

I want to be honest though: this is theoretical, based only on test-tube work, and it's never been shown to actually happen in people. The bigger worry with yohimbe is its effect on blood pressure and heart rate, which already overlap with pazopanib's side effects. Please loop in your oncology team or pharmacist before adding yohimbe.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Mustonen, P., Savola, J., and Lassila, R. Atipamezole, an imidazoline-type alpha(2)-adrenoceptor inhibitor, binds to human platelets and inhibits their adrenaline-induced aggregation more effectively than yohimbine. Thromb.Res 8-1-2000;99(3):231-237.
  2. Berlin, I., Crespo-Laumonnier, B., Cournot, A., Landault, C., Aubin, F., Legrand, J. C., and Puech, A. J. The alpha 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist yohimbine inhibits epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation in healthy subjects. Clin Pharmacol.Ther. 199
  3. Braddock, L., Cowen, P. J., Elliott, J. M., Fraser, S., and Stump, K. Binding of yohimbine and imipramine to platelets in depressive illness. Psychol.Med 1986;16(4):765-773. PubMed
  4. Boon, N. A., Elliott, J. M., Grahame-Smith, D. G., John-Green, T., and Stump, K. A comparison of alpha 2-adrenoreceptor binding characteristics of intact human platelets identified by [3H]-yohimbine and [3H]- dihydroergocryptine. J Auton.Pharmacol 1983;3
  5. Betz, J. M., White, K. D., and der Marderosian, A. H. Gas chromatographic determination of yohimbine in commercial yohimbe products. J AOAC Int 1995;78(5):1189-1194. DOI
  6. Cohen PA, Wang YH, Maller G, DeSouza R, Khan IA. Pharmaceutical quantities of yohimbine found in dietary supplements in the USA. Drug Test Anal. 2015 Sep 22. PubMed
Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

4 of 4

Pazopanib also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, yohimbe might decrease the levels and clinical effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research shows that yohimbe extract induces CYP3A4 enzymes.
Severity Minor Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist for pazopanib (Votrient). Your body clears this cancer drug using a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. Lab studies suggest yohimbe may speed that enzyme up. If that happened in real people, your body could clear pazopanib a little faster, which might lower its levels and possibly make it work less well against the cancer. Pazopanib is not a prodrug, so faster clearance means weaker effect, not stronger.

I want to be honest about the strength here: this is only seen in test-tube research, it's rated minor, and we don't have human data to confirm it. Still, when a medication is fighting cancer, I don't like leaving anything to chance. Yohimbe also raises blood pressure and heart rate on its own, which pazopanib can do too. Please check with your oncologist or pharmacist before combining them.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Haron MH, Dale O, Martin K, et al. Evaluation of the Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Commonly Used Botanicals on the US Market with Regard to PXR- and AhR-Mediated Influences on CYP3A4 and CYP1A2. J Diet Suppl 2022. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Yohimbe Also Interacts With Other Medications

Yohimbe has 9 major, 679 moderate, 436 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Pazopanib one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 9 Moderate 679 Minor 436 No known interaction 1,706 (incl. Pazopanib)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Yohimbe

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Yohimbe. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Pazopanib

This page covers Yohimbe only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Pazopanib page lists 349 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), Arsenic (major), Asarabacca (major) and Beer (major).

By severity: 14 major · 297 moderate · 38 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Pazopanib page

“Take a careful look before mixing supplements with pazopanib (Votrient), an oral pill for advanced kidney cancer and certain sarcomas. Fourteen of the 349 ingredients on file are rated major, grapefruit among them, since it can raise pazopanib levels enough to intensify side effects.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Pazopanib interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Yohimbe as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 1,054 real supplement products containing Yohimbe, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Yohimbe. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Pazopanib too, on top of Yohimbe — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Yohimbe and Pazopanib Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Yohimbe
Top 25%

#168 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Pazopanib
Steady interest

#2,678 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Yohimbe

What is Yohimbe?

Yohimbe
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Low sex drive
  • Sexual performance
  • Weight loss
  • Athletic performance

Yohimbe is a West African tree bark that contains yohimbine, a compound mainly promoted for erectile dysfunction and as an aphrodisiac. A prescription form of yohimbine has some evidence for erectile dysfunction, but over-the-counter yohimbe supplements vary widely in content and can cause serious side effects like high blood pressure and fast heart rate. Because of these safety concerns, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using it.

Read the full Yohimbe monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Pazopanib

What Is Pazopanib Used For?

Brand name: Votrient

Pazopanib tablets — sold as the brand Votrient and as generic pazopanib — are used to treat two types of advanced cancer in adults: advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common form of kidney cancer, and advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) in patients who have already received prior chemotherapy.

Important limitation: Pazopanib has not been shown to work in adipocytic soft tissue sarcoma (a subtype involving fat cells) or in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), so it is not used for those cancers.

See full Pazopanib drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Yohimbe

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Yohimbe — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

9Major
679Moderate
436Minor
1,705No known interaction
9 Major 679 Moderate 436 Minor 1,705 No interaction
Major

9 interactions

Moderate

679 interactions

Showing 60 of 679 moderate interactions — see all 679 on the Yohimbe page.

Minor

436 interactions

Showing 60 of 436 minor interactions — see all 436 on the Yohimbe page.

No interaction 1,705 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Yohimbe against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,705 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Yohimbe list.

See the full Yohimbe interactions page
See every supplement checked against Pazopanib, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Yohimbe monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Pazopanib supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Pazopanib, ranked by severity Pazopanib drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Yohimbe and Pazopanib Together: Common Questions

Can you take Yohimbe with Pazopanib?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 4 interactions listed for Yohimbe and Pazopanib?
Pazopanib belongs to more than one drug category, and Yohimbe interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Yohimbe and Pazopanib interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Pazopanib and Yohimbe?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.