Prasterone is a steroid formulated as a vaginal insert indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe dyspareunia associated with menopausal vulvar and vaginal atrophy. Prasterone, also known as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a major C19 steroid produced by the adrenal cortex.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
DHEA can be understood as a prohormone for the sex steroids. DHEAS may be viewed as buffer and reservoir. As most DHEA is produced by the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex, it is argued that there is a role in the immune and stress response. DHEAS/DHEA are useful to detect excess adrenal activity as seen in adrenal cancer or hyperplasia, including certain forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia as it is produced nearly entirely by the adrenal glands. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome tend to have elevated levels of DHEAS.
- Primary indication
- DHEA is taken as a supplement for a variety of unsubstantiated indications.Curator reviewed · 2 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C19H28O2 · 288.4244 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2023 · United States, 2017 · European Union, 2020
- Also known as
- Dehydroandrosterone · Dehydroepiandrosterone · Dehydroisoandrosterone · DHEA
- Brand names
Resolves to
FMGSKLZLMKYGDP-USOAJAOKSA-NSMILES[H][C@@]12CCC(=O)[C@@]1(C)CC[C@@]1([H])[C@@]2([H])CC=C2C[C@@]([H])(O)CC[C@]12CWhat you can answer from here — as of September 12, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Prasterone, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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