DHEA

DHEA is used to boost cognitive function. May interact with many medications. Ask your doctor before taking it to make sure it does not interact with your medications.

DHEA Overview

Reviewed: August 7, 2014
Updated: 

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone produced in the body by the adrenal glands.

DHEA is used most often for depression, coronary artery disease (CAD), and boosting immune and cognitive function.

DHEA is thought to work by supplementing the natural DHEA that the body makes. Natural levels of DHEA decline with increasing age.

Common side effects of DHEA include acne, hair growth, and lowered HDL cholesterol.

 

Uses

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DHEA is used most often for depression, obesity, coronary artery disease (CAD), sexual dysfunction, adrenal insufficiency, and boosting immune and cognitive function.

DHEA has not been proven effective for all of the uses listed above. DHEA may be used for other conditions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of DHEA

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Common side effects of DHEA include the following:

  • Acne
  • Hair growth
  • Lowered HDL cholesterol

This is not a complete list of DHEA side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

DHEA Interactions

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Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • Corticosteroids like dexamethasone (Decadron)
  • Danazol
  • Medications that increase the activity of the enzyme CYP3A4 such as carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro, Carbatrol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin (Rifadin), St John's wort, and nimodipine (Nimotop)

This is not a complete list of DHEA drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

DHEA Precautions

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Special precautions & warnings:

  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using DHEA  if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or trying to become pregnant.
  • DHEA might lower “good cholesterol” (HDL). If your HDL level is already too low, discuss DHEA with your doctor before you start taking it.