4-androsterone: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions

3b-hydroxy-androst-4-ene-17-one, 3β-hydroxy-androst-4-en-17-one, 4-androstene-3b-ol-17-one, 4-androstene-3b-ol,17-one, 4-androstene-3β-ol-17-one, 4-androstene-3β-ol,17-one, 4-DHEA.

4-Androsterone is a chemical that might be changed in the body to other chemicals called hormones. Some people take this because they think it will increase the amount of the hormone testosterone in the body.

4-Androsterone is included as an ingredient in a variety of supplements marketed to athletes and bodybuilders.

How does work?

After 4-androsterone is taken, the body is thought to change it into other chemicals called hormones. Some of these hormones include testosterone. Testosterone can help build muscle, but can also cause dangerous side effects.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Athletic performance.
• Other conditions .

QUESTION

Heart disease: 4-Androsterone might worsen heart disease in some patients.

Liver problems: 4-Androsterone might worsen liver problems in some patients.

There isn't enough reliable information available to know if 4-androsterone is safe or what the side effects might be.

TestosteroneInteraction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

4-Androsterone might be changed by the body to testosterone and other similar chemicals. Taking 4-androsterone along with other medications that contain testosterone might cause serious side effects such as mood changes and heart, kidney, or liver problems.

The appropriate dose of 4-androsterone depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for 4-androsterone. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

4 androstene-3b-ol, 17-one. ProhormoneDB.com. Available at: https://prohormonedb.com/view-ingredients.asp?n=4+androstene-3b-ol%2C+17-one&i=222 Accessed: February 29, 2016.

Granados J, Gillum TL, Christmas KM, et al. Prohormone supplement 3b-hydroxy-5a-androst-1-en-17-one enhances resistance training gains but impairs user health. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2014;116(5):560-9. View abstract.

Joseph JF, Parr MK. Synthetic androgens as designer supplements. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015;13(1):89-100. View abstract.