Pregnenolone Interactions Overview

Additional Details

Is Pregnenolone Safe? Are There Any Warnings?

Pregnenolone is generally considered safe when used orally and appropriately for a short-term duration. It has been used safely for up to 12 weeks with doses titrated up to 500 mg daily. However, there is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of long-term use. It is not recommended to use pregnenolone during pregnancy and lactation due to the lack of reliable information.

How Is Pregnenolone Thought To Work?

Pregnenolone is a natural hormone synthesized in the body from cholesterol. It serves as a precursor for various steroid hormones, including progesterone, cortisol, testosterone, and estrogens. Pregnenolone is converted into allopregnanolone, a metabolite that has positive effects on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, which are involved in reducing pain and improving mood. Pregnenolone and its metabolites can modulate multiple neurochemical systems, affecting neuronal excitability and potentially improving symptoms of psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism.

Pharmacokinetics

Pregnenolone is well absorbed when taken orally, and a dose of 175 mg can double serum levels for the next 4-8 hours. It is metabolized in the body to allopregnanolone, pregnenolone sulfate, and tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone. Pregnenolone is lipophilic, allowing it to cross the blood-brain barrier and reach higher concentrations in the brain compared to the serum. As individuals age, their pregnenolone levels decrease by approximately 60%.

Interaction Overview

Pregnenolone may interact with certain drugs and supplements. Moderate interactions have been reported with benzodiazepines, estrogens, progesterone, progestin, and testosterone. It is advised to use caution when combining pregnenolone with these medications. Additionally, there may be interactions with hormone-sensitive cancers/conditions, so it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before using pregnenolone if you have these conditions.

Common Side Effects to Watch For

Pregnenolone is generally well tolerated when taken orally. Some common side effects reported include skin abscess, acne, gastrointestinal issues, sleep problems, drowsiness, restlessness, increased excitement or motor activity, agitation, anorexia, sweating, tremor, palpitations, hair loss, muscle pain, cold extremities, depressed mood, sinusitis, and increased appetite.

People Use This For

Orally, pregnenolone is used for various purposes including aging, back pain, depression, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, endometriosis, fatigue, fibrocystic breast disease, memory enhancement, menopause, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), stress, and improving immunity. It is also used for allergic reactions, detoxification, lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), prostate disorders, psoriasis, scleroderma, seizures, trauma, and injuries.

Drugs that interact with Pregnenolone