Dhea (dehydroepiandrosterone, GL701, prasterone)
Classes: Metabolic & Endocrine, Herbals; Neurology & Psychiatry, Herbals
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