(¦an·drō·stə¦ned·ē′ōn)

(biochemistry) C₁₉H₂₆O₂ Any one of three isomeric androgens produced by the adrenal cortex.

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Brand names: Andro-Max™, Androstat™ 100

Español:
• Tabletas y cápsulas de androestenediona

Androstenedione tablets and capsules

What is androstenedione?

Androstenedione is classified and sold as a dietary supplement. That means you can buy androstenedione without a prescription or without seeing a doctor. You should know that androstenedione products are often marketed in combination with other ingredients.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

Women and children should not take androstenedione. Men should not take androstenedione if you have any of these conditions:
• liver disease
• prostate disease or prostate problems
• an unusual or allergic reaction to androstenedione, hormones, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

How should I take this medicine?

Women and children should not take androstenedione. Since natural male hormones are at their peak in the morning, it might be worthwhile to take androstenedione supplements in the morning, however, there is no evidence that doing so makes it work better. Do not take more than the recommended dose on the label.

What if I miss a dose?

Nothing bad will happen if you miss one or even several doses.

What drug(s) may interact with androstenedione?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

You should not take androstenedione if you are already taking:
• medroxyprogesterone (Provera® and others)
• drugs known as aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole, vorozole)

What should I watch for while taking androstenedione?

Check with your health care professional if you notice any changes in your voice, increase in breast size, or difficulty or inability to urinate.

What side effects may I notice from taking androstenedione?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• inability to urinate, or, difficulty urinating
• swelling of the breasts

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• acne or oily skin
• nausea

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused tablets or capsules after the expiration date.

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS:
Dietary supplements include amino acids, vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, and other plant-derived substances, and extracts of these substances. These products are easy to identify as they must state "Dietary Supplement" on the label. A "Supplement Facts" panel is provided on the label for most products. Supplements are not drugs and are not regulated like drugs. You should note that rigid quality control standards are not required for dietary supplements. Big differences in potency and purity of these products can occur. Scientific data to support the use of a dietary supplement for a certain disease or ailment may not be available. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The Food and Drug Administration suggests the following to help consumers protect themselves:
• Always read product labels and follow directions.
• "Natural" doesn't mean a product is safe for humans to take.
• Look for products containing ingredients with the "USP" notation. This indicates the manufacturer followed the standards of the US Pharmacopoeia.
• Supplements produced or distributed by a nationally known food or drug company are more likely to be made under tight controls as these companies have standards in place for their other products. You can write to the company for more information about how the product was made.

Last updated: 7/1/2002

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.

Description

Androstenedione is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body, and is one of those responsible for male characteristics. It is a metabolite of DHEA, and as such, a direct precursor to the male hormone testosterone. It is found in some plant matter, notably pollen, and in the gonads of all mammals.

General Use

Supplementation with androstenedione increases blood levels of testosterone, which among other things, will lead to an increase in strength and muscle mass. As such, it is mainly of interest to athletes and bodybuilders, for whom it has the added benefits of increasing energy levels, improving levels of nitrogen retention and shortening muscle recovery time. Androstenedione is safer than anabolic steroids because it has a far gentler effect on the body, and potential effects are milder and more transient.

Androstenedione is also taken to improve well being, and to raise levels of mental alertness. In addition, it is thought to have a positive effect on sexual performance. As androstenedione also aids in the conversion of fatty tissue to muscle, it could conceivably be considered an aid to weight loss.

The German patent for androstenedione states that 50 mg administered orally raised testosterone levels from 140–183% above normal, which although impressive, is considerably less than the increase associated with administration of anabolic steroids. Also, it is a precursor, in that the body retains some control over production of testosterone.

Preparations

When taken orally, androstenedione is metabolized by a single enzyme into testosterone. Athletes generally take between 50–300 mg daily, according to how much time is spent exercising and how much physical improvement is required. Dosage is usually sublingual in the form of a spray or capsules. The spray is felt to be far more effective, due to imperfect absorption through the digestive route.

Levels of testosterone in the blood will begin to rise approximately 15 minutes after administration of androstenedione supplements. They will remain so for about three hours, with testosterone levels peaking roughly 1–1.5 hours after administration.

Precautions

There is, as of July 2000, no reliable research to prove the claims by supplement companies that androstenedione is useful. Trials that have been conducted are limited in size and scope, and generally do not satisfy the criteria set for medical trials. Some experts warn that as a result of the short time that androstenedione stays in the system, it is unlikely to have any significant bodybuilding effects.

Androstenedione is not suitable for pregnant or lactating women, and should not be taken at all by children. When taken by women, this supplement may cause hirsuitism and virilization. Caution should be exercised when males under the age of 25 years take androstenedione.

Those supplementing with androstenedione on a regular basis are advised to have "cool down" periods when the product is not taken. This can either be a couple of days a week, or one week per month.

Androstenedione is unsuitable for use by men with prostate cancer or elevated PSA. It may also stimulate prostate replication, enlarging the prostrate (benign prostate hypertrophy or cancer). Many experts are skeptical of the claims made by supplement companies, because they say that natural bodily checks and balances will work against this supplement to ensure that muscle mass and strength do not exceed normal levels for the individual. Taking androstenedione at times other than periods of physical exertion is not recommended, because of the possible effect on mood.

Because of the complex interaction of hormones within the body, it is strongly advised that anyone contemplating supplementing with androstenedione consult a qualified practitioner.

Whereas anabolic steroids are illegal, androstenedione is considered a dietary supplement, and as such is not governed by the same regulations.

As a result of trials conducted by them, the American Medical Association issued a statement to the effect that androstenedione does not raise serum testosterone levels, and in addition, it may have undesirable side effects.

Side Effects

Possible effects on the personality of this type of hormone should be considered, as high levels of male hormones have been known to trigger aggressive behavior in some cases, particularly when high doses of the supplement are involved.

It is also possible that long-term use of androstenedione, which is not in accordance with medical recommendations, may eventually have a negative effect on natural levels of testosterone, due to compensation on the part of the pituitary gland. This means that, in the long term, it is possible that supplementation with androstenedione may cause a reduction in levels of testosterone.

The androgen effect of androstenedione may cause males to develop loss of head hair. Other side effects that have been associated with androstenedione administration include blurred vision, development of breast-like tissue, and the development of acne.

Interactions

This supplement should not be taken in conjunction with other bodybuilding substances, particularly anabolic steroids, unless under the direction of a physician. Lysophosphatidyl choline, when taken in conjunction with androstenedione, may enhance absorption.

In addition, manufacturers recommend saw palmetto to be taken in conjunction with androstenedione as it can help reduce associated hair loss, and is useful in controlling prostate enlargement.

Resources

Other

Betterbodz (1995-2000). [cited December 28, 2000].

Nutritionalsupplements.com (1998-2000). [cited December 28, 2000].

[Article by: Patricia Skinner]

andro

A natural prohormone found in both males and females. Androstenedione is a precursor of testosterone. Synthetic forms of androstenedione are available as training supplements. However, in 2004 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested companies to cease producing supplements containing androstenedione because the FDA concluded that there is inadequate information to establish that a dietary supplement containing androstenedione will reasonably be expected to be safe, and that these products may increase the risk of serious health problems because they are converted in the body to testosterone, which is an androgenic and anabolic steroid. In the USA, the Anabolic Steroid Control Act, signed into law in October 2004, classifies androstenedione and 17 other steroids as controlled substances. As of January 2005, these substances may not be sold without prescription. Several sports organizations, including the World Anti-Doping Agency have banned use of androstenedione.

An androgenic steroid produced by the testis, adrenal cortex and ovary. Immunization against it gives excellent results in promoting fertility in ewes by increasing the twinning rate.

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