Zimmerman Y, Coelingh Bennink HJT, Wouters W, Ebes F, Fauser BCJM. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of dehydroepiandrosterone during use of an ethinylestradiol- and drospirenone-containing oral contraceptive.
EUR J CONTRACEP REPR 2013;
18:489-500. [PMID:
23944295 DOI:
10.3109/13625187.2013.822061]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) reduce the levels of ovarian and adrenal androgens. Co-administration of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may normalise androgen levels during COC use.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of the addition of DHEA to a COC on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of DHEA and its sulphate (DHEA-S), and on levels of total and free testosterone (T).
METHODS
In a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study involving 21 female volunteers, the PK and PD of DHEA and DHEA-S were investigated during the use of one cycle of a COC containing 30 μg ethinylestradiol (EE) and 3 mg drospirenone (DRSP) with and without daily co-administration of 50 mg DHEA.
RESULTS
Treatment during one cycle with a COC containing EE and DRSP reduces the exposure to DHEA and DHEA-S by at least 20%. This loss of adrenal androgens can be fully compensated by daily oral co-administration of 50 mg DHEA. With DHEA co-administration total T levels rise significantly (1.44 nmol/L with DHEA vs. 0.82 nmol/L with placebo; p < 0.001). Free T levels decrease significantly with both DHEA and placebo treatment, but significantly less during co-administration of DHEA (6.34 pmol/L with DHEA vs. 3.96 pmol/L with placebo; p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
By adding DHEA to a COC the loss of adrenal and ovarian androgens can be restored.
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