Herb & supplement monograph

19-nor-dhea Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by ·Updated June 2026
What is this page for?

First and foremost: how 19-nor-dhea interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug 19-nor-dhea is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what 19-nor-dhea is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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19-nor-dhea Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, the overall risk of a clinically significant 19-nor-dhea drug interaction appears low for most people, though anyone using hormone therapy should take extra care. The interactions on record are few, none are rated major, and all rest on theoretical rather than confirmed human evidence.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The combination that deserves the most attention is 19-nor-dhea with testosterone or other androgen medications. Because 19-nor-dhea is thought to convert into nandrolone and related hormones in the body, stacking it with prescribed androgens could add up, raising the chance of mood changes or strain on the heart, kidneys, or liver. This concern is based on how the compound is believed to work, not on documented cases in people, but it is a sensible reason for caution given that hormone therapy is usually closely managed.

What the rest of the list means

The handful of medications flagged here all trace back to the same idea: that 19-nor-dhea acts like an added androgen in the body. None of these predicted effects have been confirmed in well-controlled human studies, so the list reflects a reasonable precaution rather than proven harm.

Check your medications against 19-nor-dhea

Based on HelloPharmacist’s 19-nor-dhea interaction data and reviewed under our editorial standards.

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with 19-nor-dhea

8 medications have a known interaction with 19-nor-dhea, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

2,830 drugs
Conjugated Estrogens, MethyltestosteronePremarin with Methyltestosterone› Diethylstilbestrol, MethyltestosteroneTylosterone› Esterified Estrogens, MethyltestosteroneEstratest› MethyltestosteroneAndroid 10, Android 25, Metandren, Methitest, Oreton, Testred +1 more› Methyltestosterone BuccalAndroid 5, Oreton Buccal› TestosteroneAndrogel, Andropatch, Delatestryl, Intrinsa, Natesto, Nebido +3 more› Testosterone EnanthateXyosted› Testosterone UndecanoateAndriol, Aveed, Jatenzo, Kyzatrex› "phentolamineOraVerse, Rogitine, Ryzumvi› 6-mercaptopurinePurinethol› Ado-trastuzumab EmtansineKadcyla› AbacavirZiagen› Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, LamivudineTriumeq› Abacavir, LamivudineEpzicom› AbaloparatideTymlos› AbametapirXeglyze› AbarelixPlenaxis› AbciximabReoPro› AbemaciclibVerzenio› Abiraterone› Abiraterone AcetateYonsa, Zytiga› AbrocitinibCibinqo› AcalabrutinibCalquence› AcamprosateCampral› AcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose› AcebutololRhotral, Sectral› AcenocoumarolSintrom› AcepromazineAtravet› AcetaminophenChildren's Tylenol, Children's Tylenol Meltaways, Tylenol, Tylenol Ex Strength› Acetaminophen, AspirinGemnisyn›
Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

  • Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
  • Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
  • Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
  • No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

  • Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
  • Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
  • Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

  • Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
  • Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact 19-nor-dhea combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
The big picture

The kinds of drugs 19-nor-dhea affects

Every type of medication (drug category) 19-nor-dhea is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 1 drug category 19-nor-dhea interacts with
Testosterone
Testosterone

19-nor-DHEA is purportedly converted to nandrolone and other androgens upon ingestion. Theoretically, taking 19-nor-DHEA with testosterone or other androgrens may increase the risk for additive adverse effects such as mood disturbances and cardiovascular, kidney, or liver problems.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Monograph

19-nor-dhea: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed June 2026 ·
The bottom line

19-nor-DHEA is a synthetic 'prohormone' marketed to bodybuilders as a precursor to nandrolone-like compounds, not a natural plant supplement. There is very little reliable human research on its safety or effectiveness, and products like it carry real risks to the liver, hormones, and heart. We do not recommend using it without close medical supervision, and it may be banned in sports and restricted by law in some places.

Part used
Not applicable (a synthetic or semi-synthetic hormone derivative, not a plant part)
Common forms
Capsules, tablets, sublingual tablets, sometimes combined in 'prohormone' supplement blends
People commonly use it for
  • Muscle building and bodybuilding
  • Increasing strength
  • Athletic performance
  • Supporting hormone levels
  • Body recomposition

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance
OverallBest avoided

It is an unproven hormonal prohormone with potential serious side effects and little safety data.

PregnancyBest avoided

Hormone-altering products should not be used during pregnancy.

BreastfeedingBest avoided

Avoid while breastfeeding due to hormonal effects and lack of safety data.

Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Jump to a section

Overview

19-nor-DHEA (19-nor-dehydroepiandrosterone) is a man-made hormone-like compound sold as a dietary supplement, mainly to bodybuilders and athletes. It is often called a "prohormone" because the body is thought to convert it into other active hormones, similar to how building blocks turn into a final product.

Unlike most products we cover, 19-nor-DHEA is not an herb and does not come from a plant. It is a chemically modified version of DHEA, a hormone naturally made by the adrenal glands. The "19-nor" part means a small change was made to the molecule, which is meant to steer it toward nandrolone-like effects rather than ordinary DHEA effects.

It is usually sold in capsules, tablets, or sublingual (under-the-tongue) forms, often mixed with other prohormones in muscle-building blends. Because these products affect hormones, they are very different from typical vitamins or herbal supplements.

How it works

19-nor-DHEA is thought to act as a precursor, meaning the body may convert it into more active anabolic (muscle-building) hormones, possibly compounds in the nandrolone family. The idea is that these hormones bind to androgen receptors in muscle and other tissues, which could promote muscle growth and strength.

The molecule's structure is also said to reduce conversion into estrogen, which marketers claim lowers the risk of estrogen-related side effects. However, this is largely based on chemical theory and how similar compounds behave, not on strong human studies of 19-nor-DHEA itself.

In practice, anything that shifts your hormone balance can affect your whole body, including the liver, cholesterol, mood, and your own natural hormone production. These effects are part of why hormonal prohormones are treated with caution by health professionals.

Effectiveness

Does 19-nor-dhea work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by .

Evidence overview · 4 uses evaluated
4 Insufficient evidence
How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.
2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.
3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.
4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.
5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.
6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.
7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.

For 19-nor-dhea, current evidence isn’t strong enough to rate any specific use. The conditions it has been studied for are listed below.

Also studied for 4 conditions — evidence insufficient to rate
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Athletic performance
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Although there is interest in using 19-nor-DHEA for athletic performance, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of 19-nor-DHEA for this purpose.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Exercise-induced muscle damage
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Although there is interest in using 19-nor-DHEA for muscle recovery after exercise, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of 19-nor-DHEA for this purpose.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Muscle strength
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Although there is interest in using 19-nor-DHEA for improving muscle strength, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of 19-nor-DHEA for this purpose.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Obesity
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Although there is interest in using 19-nor-DHEA for weight loss, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of 19-nor-DHEA for this purpose.

Source & disclaimer. Effectiveness ratings and evidence summaries are provided by Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) and shown as licensed. Where Natural Medicines hasn’t rated a use, HelloPharmacist’s pharmacists may add their own reviewed rating and evidence (each such entry is labeled). This is educational information, not medical advice — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a supplement.

Safety & precautions

We consider 19-nor-DHEA something most people should avoid unless directly supervised by a doctor. It changes hormone levels, and the safety data in humans is thin.

People who should be especially careful or avoid it entirely include anyone with liver disease, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or a history of hormone-sensitive cancers (such as some breast or prostate cancers). Teenagers and young adults whose bodies are still developing should not use it.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Do not use 19-nor-DHEA if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Hormone-altering products can be harmful to a baby, and there is no safety information to support their use.

Athletes should know that prohormones like this are often banned in competitive sports and may cause a failed drug test. The legal status of these products also varies by country and over time. Always talk with a pharmacist or doctor before considering it.

Side effects

Because 19-nor-DHEA affects hormones, it may cause side effects similar to those seen with anabolic steroids and related prohormones. These can include:

  • Acne and oily skin
  • Hair loss or unwanted hair growth
  • Mood changes, irritability, or aggression
  • Reduced natural testosterone production and changes in sex drive
  • Changes in cholesterol (often raising "bad" LDL and lowering "good" HDL)

More serious but less common concerns include liver stress or damage, increased blood pressure, and possible effects on the heart. Women may experience masculinizing effects such as a deeper voice. If you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, severe abdominal pain, or chest symptoms, stop the product and seek medical care right away.

Dosing

There is no established or medically recommended dose for 19-nor-DHEA. It has not been studied well enough to define a safe and effective amount.

Products vary widely, and labels may not be accurate. Because of this, we cannot suggest a specific milligram amount. If you are considering this product despite the risks, follow the label directions and, more importantly, speak with a pharmacist or doctor first so they can check your health history and monitor for problems.

References & further reading

The 4 sources that drive our 19-nor-dhea monograph — publicly available pages from reputable medical and government organizations. Every link was verified to work before publishing.

  1. DHEA — MedlinePlus (NIH) Source
  2. Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements Source
  3. Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements Source
  4. FDA 101: Dietary Supplements — U.S. Food and Drug Administration Source
Keep reading

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.

Brand directory

Brands that make products with 19-nor-dhea

10 brands in our database make a supplement containing 19-nor-dhea.

Product directory

Supplement products with 19-nor-dhea

12 products in our database contain 19-nor-dhea. Open any to see its full ingredient list and every drug interaction we check.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

19-nor-dhea: Common Questions

What is 19-nor-dhea used for, and does it work?
People use 19-nor-dhea for a range of reasons, but according to the Natural Medicines database the current clinical evidence is insufficient to confirm it works for the specific conditions it has been studied for. See the graded list on this page, and talk to your pharmacist or doctor before relying on it for any condition.
Does 19-nor-dhea interact with prescription medications?
Yes. We list 8 medications with a known interaction with 19-nor-dhea. Use the checker above to see how 19-nor-dhea interacts with a specific drug.
How are 19-nor-dhea interactions rated?
Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.
Is it safe to take 19-nor-dhea with my medications?
It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.
Where does this 19-nor-dhea interaction information come from?
Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.
What is 19-nor-dhea used for?
It is mainly marketed to bodybuilders and athletes to help build muscle, increase strength, and improve performance. However, there is very little reliable research showing it actually works.
Is 19-nor-dhea a natural supplement?
No. It is a synthetic, hormone-like 'prohormone' chemically modified from DHEA. It is not an herb and does not come from a plant, even though it is sold as a dietary supplement.
Is 19-nor-dhea safe to take?
We consider it risky and recommend avoiding it without medical supervision. It can affect your hormones, liver, cholesterol, and heart, and the human safety data is very limited.
Will 19-nor-dhea cause a failed drug test?
Quite possibly. Prohormones like this are often banned in competitive sports and may show up on drug screens, so athletes should be especially cautious.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Keep exploring

Products that contain 19-nor-dhea

A rotating sample of real supplements in our database that list 19-nor-dhea — open any to see its full ingredients and every drug interaction we check.

See all 12 products with 19-nor-dhea →
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