PREGNENOLONE

Uses & Effectiveness

Overview

Pregnenolone is a chemical that is found in our bodies. It can also be made in a laboratory. People use it for medicine.

Pregnenolone is used for autism, back pain, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use.

Pregnenolone, often referred to as the mother of all hormones, is a naturally occurring substance that serves as a precursor for the synthesis of several other hormones, including progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol. It plays a vital role in maintaining brain function, memory, and overall cognitive health.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Pregnenolone is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken for up to 12 weeks. In some people, pregnenolone can cause skin rashes, acne, hair loss, diarrhea or constipation, problems sleeping, restlessness, agitation, sweating, or tremor. It may also cause irregular heartbeat, depressed mood, a change in appetite, or muscle pain.

There isn't enough reliable information to know if pregnenolone is safe when used for longer than 12 weeks.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

• Estrogens interacts with PREGNENOLONE

  Pregnenolone is used in the body to make hormones including estrogen. Taking estrogen along with pregnenolone might cause too much estrogen to be in the body.

  Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others.

• Progestin interacts with PREGNENOLONE

  Pregnenolone is used in the body to make hormones. Progestins are hormones. Taking pregnalone along with hormones such as progestins might cause too much hormones in the body. This could increase the effects and side effects of progestins.
  Some progestin pills include norethindrone (Micronor, Camila), levonorgestrel (Plan B), and others.

• Testosterone interacts with PREGNENOLONE

  The body changes pregnenolone into testosterone. Taking pregnenolone along with testosterone might cause too much testosterone in the body. This might increase the chance of testosterone side effects.

• Sedative medications (Benzodiazepines) interacts with PREGNENOLONE

  Pregnenolone may decrease the sedative effects of diazepam (Valium). It may also decrease the sedative effects of other benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and others.

• Progesterone interacts with PREGNENOLONE

  Pregnenolone is used in the body to make hormones including progesterone. Taking progesterone along with pregnenolone might cause too much progesterone to be in the body.
  Some progesterone drugs include Prometrium, Endometrin, and others.

Special Precautionsand Warnings

When taken by mouth: Pregnenolone is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken for up to 12 weeks. In some people, pregnenolone can cause skin rashes, acne, hair loss, diarrhea or constipation, problems sleeping, restlessness, agitation, sweating, or tremor. It may also cause irregular heartbeat, depressed mood, a change in appetite, or muscle pain.

There isn't enough reliable information to know if pregnenolone is safe when used for longer than 12 weeks. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if pregnenolone is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Pregnenolone is converted by the body to estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't take supplemental pregnenolone.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of pregnenolone depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for pregnenolone. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.