DHEA 50 mg by NSI - Nutraceutical Sciences Institute

LIKELY EFFECTIVE

• Vaginal atrophy. Intravaginal DHEA can reduce pain during intercourse and improve vaginal health in patients with this condition. Details: Clinical research shows that ovules or suppositories containing DHEA 0.25% to 1%, inserted vaginally once daily for 12 weeks, can reverse vaginal thinning, restore vaginal pH, and reduce pain during sexual intercourse by up to 15% when compared with placebo in patients with vaginal atrophy (21320,21429,21430,94576). A specific vaginal insert containing DHEA 0.5% (Intrarosa, Endoceutics Inc.) is an FDA approved drug used for reducing pain during sexual intercourse in patients with vaginal atrophy (94573,94576). Other clinical research shows that applying DHEA 10% cream (Diosynth) to the inner thighs daily for 12 months might improve vaginal atrophy by stimulating maturation of the vaginal epithelium in postmenopausal patients. It might also increase bone mineral density in these patients (4242).

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Aging skin. Oral and topical DHEA have been evaluated for treating aging skin, with promising results. Details: Some clinical research shows that taking DHEA 50 mg daily for 12 months increases epidermal thickness, sebum production, and skin hydration, and decreases facial skin pigmentation in elderly patients (6446). Other preliminary clinical research shows that applying 1% DHEA daily for 4 months improves the appearance of paper-like skin when compared with placebo in postmenopausal patients. It also improves sebum production, skin wrinkling, and skin appearance when compared with baseline (21428).
• Depression. Oral DHEA 30-500 mg daily for up to 8 weeks seems to improve symptoms of depression and dysthymia in patients with depression. Details: Canadian clinical practice guidelines recommend DHEA as a third-line treatment for depression (95691). Most clinical research shows that taking DHEA 30-500 mg daily for around 6-8 weeks improves symptoms of depression and dysthymia when compared with placebo (3270,3864,3892,4233,21404,21405). Additionally, a pooled analysis of these and 9 other clinical studies shows that DHEA can improve depressive symptoms when compared with placebo, although most of the trials evaluated in the analysis included patients without clinically diagnosed depression (104161). Other preliminary clinical research using lower doses of 5-20 mg daily over 3 weeks shows no improvement in depressive symptoms in psychotic patients (21406).
• Infertility. Oral DHEA appears to improve fertility outcomes, including pregnancy and live birth rates, in females undergoing assisted reproduction. However, it is unclear if oral DHEA can reduce the risk for miscarriage after in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Details: Meta-analyses of clinical research show that taking DHEA, typically at a dose of 75 mg daily improves fertility outcomes for females undergoing assisted reproduction (96819,96820,96821,111227). One meta-analysis limited to randomized controlled trials in patients with poor ovarian response (POR) found that taking DHEA prior to IVF or ICSI treatments increases clinical pregnancy rates by 34% and the rate of live births or ongoing pregnancy by 88% when compared with placebo or no treatment (96820,111227,113072). Additionally, meta-analyses, including both randomized controlled trials and observational research, in patients with POR or diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) undergoing IVF or ICSI show that taking DHEA 50-90 mg daily is associated with improved markers of ovarian reserve and increased oocyte yields, fertilized oocytes, top-quality embryos, and transferred embryos when compared with control groups (111227,113072). Some observational research in older females with DOR has also found that taking DHEA 30 mg three times daily for 12 weeks before IVF cycles is associated with a greater number of retrieved oocytes, improved oocyte quality, and increased cumulative pregnancy rates (103185). Inclusion of lower quality research also supports these findings (21413,21414,88493,96819,96821,99923). Additionally, in females with various conditions of compromised fertility, some preliminary clinical research shows that taking DHEA 50-75 mg daily for at least 4 months may aid with natural conception, insemination-induced conception, and IVF pregnancy outcomes (21362). However, not all evidence shows that DHEA supplementation is beneficial for infertility (21415,88726,90304,111226). In one meta-analysis, DHEA supplementation was not linked to improvements in live birth rates (111227) In another meta-analysis, the benefits such as increased clinical pregnancy rates, live birth rates, oocyte yields, and number of embryos transferred dissipated upon subgroup analysis limited to higher quality randomized controlled trials (113072). Furthermore, a large clinical study shows that pretreatment with DHEA in infertile females with POR prior to IVF and embryo transfer does not improve the number of retrieved oocytes and the rates of clinical pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and cumulative live births when compared with placebo (111226). Observational research in older patients with DOR suggests that DHEA supplementation is not linked to improved clinical pregnancy or live birth rates when compared with a control group (103185). Other clinical research in females with primary ovarian insufficiency shows that taking DHEA 75 mg daily for 16 weeks might not improve follicle size when compared with placebo (21364). The effect of DHEA pretreatment on miscarriage rates after IVF or ICSI is not clear. One meta-analysis of randomized clinical research does not support the use of DHEA pretreatment for preventing miscarriage (96820). However, another meta-analysis and lower quality research suggests that DHEA supplementation reduces the risk of miscarriage by up to 50% (21418,96819,113072).

POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE

• Aging. Oral DHEA, taken for up to 2 years, does not appear to improve bone health, quality of life, or sexual function in older adults. Details: Clinical research shows that DHEA, taken as 75 mg daily in males or 50 mg daily in females, for 2 years does not seem to improve body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), insulin sensitivity, or quality of life in people aged 60 years or older who have low DHEA-S levels (15027). Additionally, a pooled analysis of clinical trials shows that taking DHEA 50-1600 mg daily for up to 2 years does not improve body composition, bone health, sexual function, lipid and glycemic parameters, or quality of life in elderly males (88434).
• Muscle strength. Oral DHEA does not seem to improve muscle strength in adults. Details: While some clinical research shows that adults who take DHEA have increased muscle strength when measured by grip strength, leg press, chest press, and other measures, most clinical evidence shows that DHEA provides no benefit to muscle strength in younger and older adults (1365,10406,17617,21392,21419,21420,21421,47198).
• Physical performance. Oral DHEA does not seem to improve physical performance in elderly patients. Details: Most clinical research and a meta-analysis show that older adults who take DHEA do not have increased physical function or performance as measured by oxygen uptake, duration of exercise, balance, and ability to rise from a chair (17617,21420,21421). However, one clinical study shows that taking DHEA 50 mg daily for 6 months improves lower body strength and function by a small amount when compared with placebo in elderly frail females (21392). More research is needed to determine if DHEA is beneficial in specific populations.

LIKELY INEFFECTIVE

• Cognitive function. Oral DHEA does not improve cognitive function or prevent cognitive decline in most populations. Details: In the majority of clinical research, taking DHEA orally does not seem to improve cognitive function or decrease cognitive decline in healthy people over the age of 50 (3893,11334,14862,21333,21445), in peri- or post-menopausal women (6011,21397,21445), in patients with HIV (47435), or in young healthy adults when given as an acute dose (21399). However, preliminary clinical research shows that taking DHEA 50 mg daily for 4 weeks may improve certain measures of visual spatial performance and memory when compared with placebo in middle aged and elderly females (21396,21398).
• Sjogren syndrome. Oral DHEA does not appear to improve symptoms with this condition. Details: Clinical research shows that taking DHEA 50-200 mg daily for 4-12 months does not benefit symptoms of primary Sjogren syndrome when compared with placebo (21354,21358,21363,21365).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Addison disease. It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial in patients with this condition. Details: Some preliminary clinical research shows that taking DHEA up to 50 mg daily for up to 12 months improves symptoms of Addison disease, including reversing the loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and lean mass, but without improving cognitive function (8595,21387). However, taking DHEA 50 mg daily for 12 weeks does not appear to improve cognitive or sexual function, body composition, or BMD, although it may improve mood and fatigue (7614,21330,21356).
• Adrenal insufficiency. It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial in patients with primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. Details: Some clinical research shows that taking low-dose DHEA, 20-50 mg daily, improves feelings of well-being, skin and hair, pubic hair growth, and sexuality in females with adrenal insufficiency or androgen deficiency due to hypopituitarism (3231,8593,17218,21317,21370,21385). However, other clinical research shows that taking low-dose DHEA for 3-12 months has little to no effect on quality of life, body composition, physical performance, cardiac function, depression, anxiety, and sexual arousal in patients with primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency (17218,21351,21357,21360,21386,21388,21389). Also, there is contradictory evidence about the effects of DHEA on plasma lipid levels in patients with adrenal insufficiency (21348,21351).
• Athletic performance. It is unclear if oral DHEA can improve sprint performance. Details: Preliminary clinical research in female recreationally trained athletes shows that taking DHEA 100 mg daily for 4 weeks does not improve sprint performance when compared with placebo (99925).
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD). Observational research has found that low DHEA levels are linked to a greater risk for CVD, but it is unclear if supplementation with oral DHEA is beneficial. Details: A meta-analysis of population research shows that patients with CVD and lower blood levels of DHEA-S have a worse overall prognosis when compared with patients with higher levels. Patients with the lowest levels have a 47% increased risk of future mortality events, including a 58% increased risk of fatal cardiovascular events. There was also a 42% increased risk of nonfatal cardiovascular events (96817). In elderly males, population research also shows that low serum levels of DHEA and DHEA-S are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) but not cerebrovascular disease (90303).
• Cervical dysplasia. It is unclear if intravaginal DHEA is beneficial in patients with cervical dysplasia. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that DHEA 150 mg intravaginally for up to 6 months reverses dysplasia in 83% of treated females with low-grade cervical dysplasia when compared to baseline (21426). The validity of these findings is limited by the lack of a comparator group.
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial in patients with CFS. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that oral DHEA 25-100 mg daily for 6 months improves symptoms of CFS by 8.5% to 26% when compared to baseline (7559). The validity of these findings is limited by the lack of a comparator group.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial in patients with COPD. Details: A small clinical study shows that taking DHEA 200 mg daily for 3 months increases walking distance and improves lung function in patients with COPD when compared to baseline (21395). The validity of these findings is limited by the lack of a comparator group.
• Cocaine dependence. It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial for reducing cocaine cravings. Details: A small clinical study shows that taking DHEA 100 mg daily for 12 weeks, in addition to cognitive-behavioral group counseling, does not reduce cocaine craving when compared with counseling alone in cocaine-dependent participants (21411).
• Crohn disease. It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial for inducing Crohn disease remission. Details: A small clinical study shows that taking DHEA 200 mg daily for 8 weeks reduces symptoms in some patients with Crohn disease when compared to baseline. Remission occurred in 6 of 7 Crohn patients (21416). The validity of these findings is limited by the small study size and lack of a comparator group.
• Diabetes. Although there has been interest in using oral DHEA for diabetes, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of DHEA for this purpose.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED). It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial in patients with ED. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking DHEA orally for 24 weeks improves erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, and overall sexual satisfaction in patients with ED. DHEA seems to be beneficial for idiopathic ED or ED secondary to hypertension, but doesn't seem to provide benefit for ED related to diabetes or neurological disorders (793,8596).
• Exercise-induced muscle damage. It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial for reducing muscle damage from exercise. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking DHEA 50 mg twice daily for 5 days improves delayed-onset muscle soreness and reduces post-training blood creatinine kinase levels when compared with placebo in young males completing a 5-day exercise training program (88375).
• Fibromyalgia. It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial for improving fibromyalgia symptoms. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking DHEA 50 mg daily for 3 months does not reduce fibromyalgia symptoms when compared with placebo in postmenopausal patients with fibromyalgia (21355).
• HIV/AIDS. Small clinical studies suggest that oral DHEA may improve mental health and quality of life in patients with HIV/AIDS, but DHEA does not seem to improve CD4 counts or body composition. Details: Population research shows that levels of DHEA seem to be lower in patients with more severe HIV/AIDS, suggesting that DHEA could be a marker for disease severity. Some evidence suggests that lower DHEA levels are associated with an increased risk of disease progression and AIDS (8598,14278,14279). Some clinical research shows that taking DHEA 50-500 mg daily for 2-4 months might improve mental health and quality of life when compared with placebo (3864,8598,14277,21390). However, taking DHEA in doses up to 2.25 grams daily does not appear to improve CD4 counts, muscle mass, or bone mass when compared with placebo (3865,14277,21390).
• Menopausal symptoms. Oral DHEA might reduce hot flashes and intravaginal DHEA might improve vaginal atrophy and sexual activity; however, oral DHEA does not seem to improve psychological symptoms associated with menopause. Details: Some research shows that taking DHEA 10-25 mg daily for 12 months improves subjective vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes, as well as psychological symptoms and sexuality (11464,21417). Also, administering a daily ovule containing DHEA (Vaginorm, Recipharm) 3.5-13 mg intravaginally for 12 weeks appears to reverse vaginal atrophy and improve sexual activity in postmenopausal patients with vaginal atrophy (21442). However, other clinical research shows that taking DHEA 50 mg daily for up to 26 weeks does not improve mood, fatigue, cognition, sexual function, or sense of well-being in post- or peri-menopausal patients when compared with placebo (6011,21361). Additionally, a pooled analysis of clinical research shows that DHEA taken orally does not improve psychological symptoms related to menopause (88492).
• Metabolic syndrome. It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial for reducing risk for metabolic syndrome. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking DHEA 50 mg daily for 6 months or 100 mg daily for 3 months decreases weight, abdominal fat, and blood pressure and reduces cholesterol, glucose, and insulin levels when compared with placebo in overweight elderly patients (12215,21350).
• Muscular dystrophy. It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial in patients with myotonic dystrophy type I. Details: Taking DHEA 100 or 400 mg daily for 12 weeks might not affect muscle strength in patients with myotonic dystrophy type I when compared with placebo (21334). However, intravenous DHEA-S 200 mg daily for 8 weeks appears to improve daily function, muscle strength, and heart function compared with baseline (21434). The validity of this finding is limited by the lack of a control group.
• Obesity. It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial for reducing body weight in patients who are obese or overweight. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking DHEA 40 mg sublingually twice daily for 8 weeks, or 1600 mg by mouth for 28 days, does not affect body weight or body composition when compared with placebo in obese adults (21410,21427). Also, preliminary clinical research shows that taking DHEA 50-100 mg daily for 3-12 months does not affect central adiposity in older individuals when compared with placebo (21349).
• Opioid withdrawal. It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial in patients with heroin withdrawal. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking DHEA 100 mg daily as adjunct to standard therapy for 12 months does not improve drug withdrawal symptoms in heroin addicts when compared with standard therapy alone (21412).
• Osteoporosis. It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial in patients with osteoporosis; any benefit may depend on individual patient characteristics. Details: There is contradictory evidence about the effectiveness of DHEA 50-100 mg daily for improved bone mineral density (BMD) in older adults with osteoporosis or osteopenia (12563,12564,21392), as well as the effectiveness of DHEA for improved BMD in females with anorexia nervosa (12562,21393). One pooled analysis shows that DHEA does not improve BMD in postmenopausal patients (88492), while another shows that DHEA can increase hip BMD in healthy older females, but not males (103186). The reason for these discrepant findings is unclear, but may relate to different patient populations, durations of therapy, and DHEA doses assessed in the included studies. Additionally, most of the studies included in these analyses were of low quality and inadequate statistical power.
• Parkinson disease. Although there has been interest in using oral DHEA for Parkinson disease, there is insufficient reliable information available about the clinical effects of DHEA for this purpose.
• Partial androgen deficiency. It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial for symptom improvement in patients with this condition. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking DHEA 25 mg daily for one year might clinically improve mood, fatigue, and joint pain in older males with partial androgen deficiency when compared to baseline (21331). Other preliminary clinical research shows that taking DHEA 50 mg twice daily for 4 months does not improve erectile or sexual function when compared with placebo in hypoandrogenic males (21424).
• Parturition. Intravenous DHEA before the onset of labor may shorten the time to labor onset and shorten labor duration. Details: Clinical research shows that intravenous DHEA-S 100 mg daily for 3 days, or given twice weekly until the onset of labor starting after 38 weeks of gestation, increases cervical ripening and shortens the time to onset of labor and the duration of labor when compared with a control in nulliparous women (21384,21431). Also, intravenous DHEA 50-200 mg given multiple times until the onset of labor starting after 37 weeks of gestation appears to shorten the time to delivery in primiparous and multiparous women (21432,21433). It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial for this purpose.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial in patients with RA. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking oral DHEA 200 mg for 16 weeks does not reduce symptoms of RA in elderly patients (21422). However, other clinical research in a small number of premenopausal females with RA shows that taking DHEA 50 mg daily for 12 weeks improves quality of life, but not disease activity, when compared with placebo (104159).
• Schizophrenia. It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial in patients with schizophrenia. Details: Some research shows that taking DHEA orally improves both negative and positive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. It may be more effective in females (9692). However, other clinical research shows no benefit (21423).
• Sexual dysfunction. It is unclear if oral or intravaginal DHEA is beneficial for improving sexual dysfunction in males or females. Details: DHEA may be modestly beneficial in some postmenopausal patients with decreased libido or dyspareunia. Preliminary clinical research shows that taking DHEA 50-100 mg daily, or a single dose of DHEA 300 mg, improves sexual desire when compared to baseline (9906,21443). Additional clinical research shows that use of intravaginal DHEA (Vaginorm, Recipharm) at concentrations of 0.25% to 1% daily for 12 weeks might improve sexual function when compared with placebo (47361). However, a pooled analysis shows that DHEA is not associated with improvements in libido or sexual function (88414,88492). DHEA has also been evaluated in other patient populations. Small clinical studies show that taking DHEA doesn't seem to influence response to sexual stimuli in sexually functional premenopausal women (8594) or improve libido in individuals age 40-70 years (21449). Preliminary clinical research in males with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) shows that taking DHEA 50 mg twice daily for 6 weeks does not improve erectile or sexual function when compared with placebo (88414). In adults with midlife-onset or HIV-associated depression, preliminary clinical research shows that taking DHEA 90-500 mg daily for 3-8 weeks may improve sexual function and libido when compared with placebo (3864,21405).
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Most small clinical studies suggest that oral DHEA may modestly improve symptoms in patients with SLE, but some conflicting research exists. Details: Some clinical research shows that taking DHEA has little to no effect on disease activity in patients with mild to moderate SLE (21425,21447). However, small clinical studies and a meta-analysis of these studies show that taking DHEA in conjunction with conventional treatment may help improve frequency of flare-ups, muscle ache, oral ulcers, and quality of life, reduce corticosteroid doses needed (2113,2114,2136,6068,6447,12561,12574,21346,21447), and improve bone mineral density (6068,6097,6447,21394).
• Ulcerative colitis. It is unclear if oral DHEA is beneficial for inducing ulcerative colitis remission. Details: A small clinical study shows that taking DHEA 200 mg daily for 8 weeks reduces symptoms of ulcerative colitis when compared to baseline in some patients with ulcerative colitis. Remission occurred in 6 of 13 ulcerative colitis patients (21416). The validity of these findings is limited by the small study size and the lack of a comparator group. More evidence is needed to rate DHEA for these uses.

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POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately, short-term. Most studies have been small and lasted from a few weeks to 6 months, with usual doses of 50 mg daily (793,1635,2133,3231,4249,4251,4252,4253,4254,4255,9691)(9692,10986,12215,12564,14277,21416,88726,90304,99925). Some studies have also used oral DHEA with apparent safety for 12-24 months (2113,6446,10406,11464,12561,15027,88492). ...when used intravaginally and appropriately. Intravaginal ovules of DHEA 3.25 mg to 13 mg have been safely used for up to 12 weeks (21320,21429,21430). ...when used topically and appropriately. A DHEA cream 1% to 10% has been safely used for up to 12 months (4242,21428).

POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when used orally in high doses or long-term. There is concern that long-term use or use of amounts that cause higher than normal physiological DHEA levels might increase the risk of prostate cancer (2111,12565), breast cancer (10370,10401,10403), or other hormone-sensitive cancers (6445). In some cases, 50-100 mg daily can produce slightly higher than normal physiological DHEA levels (4249,4251). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of using DHEA intravenously or intramuscularly.

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when used orally. DHEA can cause higher than normal androgen levels (2133,4249,4251,4253), which might adversely affect pregnancy or a nursing infant.

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ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, DHEA might increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.  Details Human and laboratory research show that DHEA and DHEA-S can inhibit platelet aggregation (19109,19127).

ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, DHEA might increase the risk of psychiatric adverse events when used with antidepressants.  Details In a human case report, the use of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) with DHEA caused a manic episode (7023). Concern for this interaction may be greater in younger individuals with higher baseline DHEA levels.

AROMATASE INHIBITORS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, DHEA might interfere with the clinical effects of aromatase inhibitors.  Details DHEA is a potent estrogen agonist, which may antagonize the anti-estrogen activity of aromatase inhibitors (10401).

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, DHEA might increase the levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.  Details Some preliminary evidence shows that DHEA may inhibit CYP3A4 (1389); however, the clinical significance of this potential interaction is not known.

ESTROGENS Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination. Severity = Mild •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, DHEA might increase the effects and adverse effects of estrogen therapy.  Details DHEA is a precursor to estrogen and androgen and is metabolized into those substances. In clinical research, DHEA supplements increase the levels of these hormones (6012,7614,8593,10986,12651,12564,15027,21321,21323,21324)(21325,21326,21327,21328,21330,21331,21356,21364,21389,21393)(21397,21398,21417,21419,21427,47273,47348,88375,90304). Also, in clinical research, estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives and conjugated estrogens reduce blood levels of DHEA and DHEA-S (21372,21373,21374,21437,21438). The clinical significance of these findings is unclear.

FULVESTRANT (Faslodex) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, DHEA might interfere with the anti-estrogen effects of fulvestrant.  Details DHEA is a potent estrogen agonist (10401). Some research shows that it can overcome the estrogen receptor antagonist action of fulvestrant in estrogen-receptor positive cancer cells (10370).

TAMOXIFEN (Nolvadex) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, DHEA might interfere with the anti-estrogen effects of tamoxifen.  Details DHEA is a potent estrogen agonist. Some research shows that it can overcome the estrogen receptor antagonist activity of tamoxifen in estrogen-receptor positive cancer cells (10370,10403).

TESTOSTERONE Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination. Severity = Mild •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, DHEA might increase the effects and side effects of testosterone therapy.  Details DHEA is a precursor to estrogen and androgen and is metabolized into those substances. In clinical research, DHEA supplements increase the levels of these hormones (6012,7614,8593,10986,12651,12564,15027,21321,21323,21324)(21325,21326,21327,21328,21330,21331,21356,21364,21389,21393)(21397,21398,21417,21419,21427,47273,47348,88375,90304,99924,99925,104162). The clinical significance of these findings is unclear.

TRIAZOLAM (Halcion) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = D DHEA can increase blood levels of triazolam.  Details Administration of DHEA 200 mg daily for two weeks was shown to inhibit the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) metabolism of triazolam. This inhibition appears to be due to DHEA-S, rather than DHEA (1389).

TUBERCULOSIS VACCINE Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D DHEA might reduce the effectiveness of the tuberculosis vaccine.  Details Animal research shows that high doses of DHEA can reduce the efficacy of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) tuberculosis vaccine (21316).

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General ...Orally and topically, DHEA seems to be well tolerated when used in typical doses, short-term. However, there is some concern that long-term oral use of DHEA may be linked to a greater risk for cancer.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Acne, headache, insomnia, mood changes, and nausea. In females, masculinization symptoms including deepening of the voice, increased size of genitals, irregular menses, oily skin, reduced breast size, and unnatural hair growth. In males, aggression, breast tenderness or enlargement (gynecomastia), urinary urgency, and testicular wasting.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Possible increased risk for cardiovascular events and various types of cancer.

Cardiovascular ...Incidences of arrhythmia (21334,47540), chest pain (21332,21333), palpitations (21332,21333,88492), hypertension, and transient ischemic attacks (21353,21354,47300) have been reported. DHEA has also been found to decrease high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (21344,21345,21346,21347,21348,21349) and increase triglycerides (21334).

Dermatologic ...Acne has been the most commonly reported adverse effect in human research, particularly in females (2113,2114,4242,7614,7559,12561,12574,21346,21351,21354)(21355,21356,21357,21358,21360,21361,21362,21363,21364,47300)(47355,47409,90304,103185). However, it is generally mild and may be treated by reducing the dose (7559). Incidences of contact dermatitis (47402), acneiform dermatitis (2113), greasy hair and skin (17218,21351,21355,21363,21387,21389,47355), keratosis (47402), skin rash (12574,21361,21363), erythema (21334), scalp itching (17218,21357), and skin spots (21387) have also been reported. Increased hair growth and hirsutism have been noted in several clinical trials, including the development of mild mustache in females (2114,4242,12561,12574,17218,21346,21351,21354,21355,21358) (21361,21362,21363,21370,21387,21389,21415,47300). Increased perspiration and odor have also been reported in human research (17218,21354,21356,21357).

Endocrine ...In postmenopausal patients, high doses of DHEA (1600 mg daily) induced insulin resistance, reportedly due to increased androgen levels that occurred during supplementation (21324).

Gastrointestinal ...Gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort have been noted in human research (2111,6098,7559,12574,21348,21358,21386).

Genitourinary ...In older adults, elevated and severe urinary symptoms (as evidenced by scores of more than 20, using the American Urological Association Symptom Index for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia [International Prostate Symptom Score]) and urinary tract infection were reported (21353). Rare incidences of abnormal menses (2114) and increased discharge (21415) have been reported. DHEA has been associated with hematuria (47300).

Hepatic ...Elevated liver enzymes have been reported following DHEA supplementation (21364,47300). However, an analysis of multiple studies in varied patient populations taking DHEA supplements found no elevations in liver enzymes (107791).

Musculoskeletal ...Incidences of asthenia, arthralgia, and myalgia, including calf cramps, have been reported (12574,21354,21358,21365,47355).

Neurologic/CNS ...In humans, dizziness, fatigue, malaise, sleep disturbances, increased dreaming, night sweats, restlessness, "painful spots," and a crawling scalp sensation have been reported (3865,21354,21363,21389). There is a case of seizure associated with DHEA use in a 30 year-old female with fragile X syndrome and no history of convulsive disorder who used DHEA to try to improve ovarian production (47344).

Ocular/Otic ...In patients with Sjögren syndrome, maculae lesions, ocular pain and dryness, and painful eye exams have been reported (21358,21363,21365).

Oncologic ...Preclinical research suggests that DHEA may increase the risk of cancer, particularly prostate, liver, breast, and pancreatic cancers (2111,10370,10401,10403,12565,21332,21333,21334,47251,47256)(47366,47388,47539). High concentrations of DHEA in postmenopausal patients have been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer (2115,6445).

Psychiatric ...DHEA-induced mania has been reported (5870,6102,7023,21383). Clinical studies have also reported anxiety, nervousness, irritability, emotional change, and depression in patients receiving DHEA (2114,21358,21360,21370).

Pulmonary/Respiratory ...Increased cough and nasal congestion have been noted in human research (3865,11334). A report of acute respiratory failure was made in clinical study evaluating the use of DHEA in patients with myotonic dystrophy (type 1) (21334).

Other ...Perceived increases in weight gain have been reported with use of DHEA (2114,21361).

(Read more about DHEA)