DHEA dee-aych-ee-ay

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA, GL701, prasterone

What is DHEA?

DHEA is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It is processed in the body into the male and female hormones testosterone and estrogen. Wild yam products labeled as "natural DHEA" do not contain this hormone.

What is it used for?

This remedy has been used to treat several conditions. Studies in humans or animals have not proved that this remedy is safe or effective for all uses. Before using this remedy for a serious condition, you should talk with your healthcare provider. There may be other uses that are not listed below.

DHEA has been used to treat:

• Addison's disease
• Alzheimer's disease
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• depression
• erectile dysfunction (impotence)
• lupus
• obesity
• osteoporosis
• Parkinson's disease
• schizophrenia
• symptoms of menopause such as breast tenderness, fluid retention, mood changes, and hot flashes
• vaginal atrophy

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

DHEA comes in the form of capsules and tablets taken by mouth or as a cream used on the skin. Check the label on the package for the specific dose.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Do not take DHEA if you have liver disease.

DHEA may affect hormone-sensitive cancers. Before taking DHEA, consult your healthcare provider if you have:

• breast cancer
• endometriosis
• ovarian cancer
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• prostate cancer
• uterine cancer or uterine fibroids

Talk with your healthcare provider or therapist before taking DHEA if you have an adrenal or thyroid disorder, bipolar disorder, or depression. DHEA may cause mania, irritability, and psychosis. DHEA may also raise HDL. Talk to your provider if you have high cholesterol.

Diabetics: This remedy may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

DHEA is thought to be safe when used for a few months. Using high doses or using DHEA for a long time increases the chance of side effects.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may be contaminated. They may have different strengths and effects.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Delusions, mania, yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, severe nervousness.

Other: Acne; trouble sleeping; hair loss; stomach upset; irritability; stuffy nose; headache; tiredness; changes in menstrual cycle, facial hair growth, and deeper voice in women; breast enlargement in men.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antianxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam
• antidepressants such as amitriptyline, bupropion (Wellbutrin), doxepin, duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox CR), imipramine (Tofranil), nefazodone, nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, and venlafaxine (Effexor)
• antifungal medicines such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• cancer medicines such as anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara), exemestane (Aromasin), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), and fulvestrant (Faslodex)
• cholesterol-lowering medicines (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor)
• corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Orapred), prednisone, and triamcinolone (Aristospan, Kenalog)
• diabetes medicines such as glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), repaglinide (Prandin), and rosiglitazone (Avandia)
• heart medicines such as amiodarone (Cordarone) and verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS, Isoptin)
• medicines to treat erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and tadalafil (Cialis)
• natural remedies such as alfalfa, black cohosh, bloodroot, chasteberry, dandelion, dong quai, evening primrose oil, ginseng, red clover, St. John's wort, saw palmetto, soy, topical progesterone, and wild yam
• sleeping pills such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), flurazepam, phenobarbital, temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.