Interactions:

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use DHEA without first talking to your health care provider.

AZT (Zidovudine) -- In a laboratory study, DHEA enhanced the effectiveness of a drug used for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections called AZT. However, scientific studies in humans are needed before DHEA can be used for this purpose in people.

Barbiturates -- Animal studies suggest that DHEA may increase the effects of barbiturates, a class of medications often used to treat sleep disorders. These medicines include butabarbital, mephobarbital, pentobarbital, and phenobarbital. However, clinical studies in humans are needed before it is known whether this same effect occurs in people and whether it is safe for DHEA and barbiturates to be used together.

Steroids -- Laboratory studies suggest that DHEA may increase the effects of prednisolone, a steroid medication used to treat inflammation and other disorders. Additional research is needed to determine if this effect applies to people.

Estrogen -- It is possible that DHEA may influence the level of estrogen in the body. For this reason, some women on estrogen replacement therapy may need to adjust their dosage. This should be discussed with your health care provider.

Oral hypoglycemics and insulin -- DHEA administration has resulted in some degree of insulin resistance and therefore may decrease the effectiveness of oral hypoglycemic agents (drugs used to lower blood sugar levels) and insulin.

Vaccines -- DHEA use has been suggested to result in a decreased rate of developing protective antibodies after influenza vaccination.

Drugs that may decrease DHEA levels -- Drugs that can decrease or lower the levels of DHEA in the body include antisychotic medications (including chlorpromazine or Thorazine and quetiapine or Seroquel), budesonide (Pulmicort), estrogens, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), dexamethasone (Decadron), metformin (Glucophage), and rosiglitazone (Avandia).

Drugs that may increase DHEA levels -- Drugs that may increase DHEA levels in the body include alprazolam (Xanax), amlodipine (Norvasc), anastrozole (Arimidex), nifedipine (Procardia), danocrine (Danazol), diltiazem (Cardizem), ethanol (alcohol) ,methyphenidate (Ritalin), and metopirone (Metyrapone).

Drug Interactions:

Alternative Names:

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA); DHEA