Dhea (dehydroepiandrosterone, GL701, prasterone)

Suggested dosing of Dehydroepiandrosterone, GL701 (DHEA), prasterone

 

Adrenal Insufficiency

20-50 mg PO qDay

 

Osteoporosis

50-100 mg PO qDay

 

Depression

30-90 mg PO qDay

 

Erectile Dysfunction

50 mg PO qDay

 

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

200 mg PO qDay

NMT 600 mg/d has been used

 

Alzheimer's Disease

50 mg PO BId

 

Menopausal Hot Flashes

25-50 mg PO qDay

 

Vaginal Atrophy

Apply 10% cream topically qDay

 

Orphan Indications

Replacement therapy with adrenal insufficiency

• Orphan indication sponsor: Paladin Labs, Inc; 6111 Royalmount Avenue, Suite 102; Montreal, Quebec H4P 2T4, Canada

Burns

• Accelerate re-epithelialization of donor sites in burn patients undergoing autologous skin grafting
• Treatment of serious burns requiring hospitalization
• Orphan indication sponsor: Pharmadigm, Inc; 2401 Foothill Drive; Salt Lake City, UT 84109-1405

 

Suggested uses of Dehydroepiandrosterone, GL701 (DHEA), prasterone

Addison's disease, adrenal insufficiency, cognitive disorders, depression, erectile dysfunction, immunostimulant, slowing/reversing aging, systemic lupus erythematosus, vaginal atrophy (postmenopausal), menopausal hot flashes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, weight loss

 

Efficacy

Some pos. results (Am J Psychiatry 1999 Apr;156(4):646-9; Ann Med Interne (Paris) 1996; 147(4):276-80)

Considered possibly ineffective for Alzheimer's disease, muscle strength, sexual arousal disorder

 

Dehydroepiandrosterone, GL701 (DHEA), prasterone adverse (side) effects

Frequency not defined

Abdominal pain

Acne

Decreased HDL cholesteroL

Fatigue

Hair loss

Headache

Hirsutism

Hypertension

Hypo/hyperglycemia

Hypomania

Increased risk of hormone-sensitive tumors (very high dose)

Insomnia

Irritability

Liver dysfunction

Mania

Menstrual irregularities

Nasal congestion

Psychosis

Sexual inappropriateness

Voice deepening (high dose)

 

Warnings

Contraindications

Breast cancer, endometriosis, hormone sensitive conditions, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, uterine fibroids

 

Cautions

Bipolar disorder, concurrent CYP 3A4 substrates, depression, diabetes mellitus, history of mood disorder, impaired liver function

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: avoid use

Lactation: avoid use

 

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

 

Pharmacology of Dehydroepiandrosterone, GL701 (DHEA), prasterone

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

 

Mechanism of action

Increases production of estrogens and testosterone, decreases production of cortisol; possible effect on neurotransmitters