Your body's adrenal glands naturally produce a hormone called DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, that is responsible for making other sex hormones, such as estrogen and androgen. Though DHEA levels naturally decrease as you get older, certain drugs may also deplete your DHEA levels. Talk with your doctor about how drugs may affect your DHEA levels before you begin taking any new medication.
Insulin and Other Diabetes Drugs
If you have diabetes, certain medications you are taking to control your blood sugar levels, such as insulin and metformin may deplete the stores of DHEA in your body and may also reduce the effectiveness of DHEA supplements.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are a class of drugs used to reduce inflammation in the body. Treatment with corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone and prednisone, may decrease the amount of DHEA your body makes naturally. As with diabetes medications, corticosteroids may also reduce the beneficial effects of DHEA supplements.
Antipsychotic Medications
Your DHEA levels may fall if you're receiving treatment with an antipsychotic medication, such as quetiapine or chlorpromazine. Consequently, you may need to increase your DHEA intake while using antipsychotic drugs.
Oral Contraceptives
Women who use oral contraceptives may have low levels of DHEA. Conversely, DHEA may reduce the effectiveness of estrogen-containing contraceptives or hormone therapies. Do not use this treatment combination without first consulting your physician.
Additional Drugs
Other drugs that may lower your DHEA levels include rosiglitazone, budesonide and dexamethasone, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Member Comments