Background

Rauwolscine is a chemical. It's found in some plants, like yohimbe and Rauvolfia vomitoria, and can also be made in a lab. It might be unsafe.

Rauwolscine is similar to another chemical, called yohimbine. Yohimbine has known stimulant effects.

People use rauwolscine for obesity, athletic performance, sexual arousal, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Rauwolscine has been found in fat burning and workout dietary supplements in Canada. They were recalled due to safety concerns. Don't confuse rauwolscine with Rauvolfia vomitoria, Indian Snakeroot, or yohimbe, which are plants that contain rauwolscine and other chemicals.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Rauwolscine is possibly unsafe. It's similar to another chemical called yohimbine. Yohimbine has been linked to reports of severe side effects including paralysis, seizure, dizziness, and others.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if rauwolscine is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Anxiety: Rauwolscine might make anxiety worse.

Bleeding conditions: Rauwolscine might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Heart disease: Rauwolscine might harm the heart, making heart disease worse.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Rauwolscine might make symptoms of PTSD worse.

Schizophrenia: Rauwolscine might make symptoms of schizophrenia worse.

Surgery: Rauwolscine might increase the risk for bleeding. People who take rauwolscine should stop at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of rauwolscine might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Clonidine (Catapres)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Clonidine is used to decrease blood pressure. Taking rauwolscine along with clonidine might decrease the effects of clonidine.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Rauwolscine might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Medications for high blood pressure (Calcium channel blockers)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Rauwolscine can lower blood pressure. Some medications are also used to lower blood pressure. Taking rauwolscine along with these medications might cause your blood pressure to drop too low.

Medications that increase the chance of having a seizure (Seizure threshold lowering drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Rauwolscine might increase the risk of seizures in some people. There are also some medications that can increase the risk of seizures. Taking these products together might increase the risk of a seizure even more.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Rauwolscine might slow blood clotting. Taking rauwolscine along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

Stimulant drugs

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine, speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can make you feel jittery and speed up your heartbeat. Rauwolscine might also speed up the nervous system. Taking rauwolscine along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Rauwolscine might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.