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DHEA (0.25%)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a prohormone that is converted to estrogen and testosterone in peripheral tissues, restoring hormone levels in postmenopausal women.
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a prohormone that is converted to estrogen and testosterone in peripheral tissues, restoring hormone levels in postmenopausal women. Used for Moderate to severe dyspareunia due to vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women, Vaginal atrophy and related menopausal symptoms.
At a glance
| Generic name | DHEA (0.25%) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Prasterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone |
| Sponsor | EndoCeutics Inc. |
| Drug class | Hormone replacement therapy / Prohormone |
| Target | Estrogen receptor, Androgen receptor (via local conversion) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Women's Health / Gynecology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
DHEA is an endogenous steroid hormone precursor that declines with age. When administered as a vaginal insert at 0.25% concentration, it is locally converted to estrogen and testosterone by tissue enzymes, providing hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms without systemic hormone exposure. This localized approach aims to treat vaginal atrophy and related symptoms while minimizing systemic side effects associated with traditional hormone replacement therapy.
Approved indications
- Moderate to severe dyspareunia due to vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women
- Vaginal atrophy and related menopausal symptoms
Common side effects
- Vaginal discharge
- Vaginal irritation
- Headache
- Hot flashes
Key clinical trials
- Topical DHEA Against Vaginal Atrophy (PHASE3)
- DHEA Against Vaginal Atrophy - 3-Month Efficacy Study (PHASE3)
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Against Vaginal Atrophy (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- DHEA (0.25%) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- DHEA (0.25%) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- EndoCeutics Inc. portfolio CI