This product is available solely through our 503A Compounding Pharmacy, ensuring personalized care and precision in every order. Please note that a valid prescription is required for purchase. If you do not have an account, please contact us.
Pregnenolone Cream (30 mL)
Pregnenolone cream is a topical formulation of pregnenolone, a naturally occurring hormone synthesized from cholesterol in the body. It serves as a precursor to various steroid hormones, including progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol. Used in integrative and hormonal therapies, this cream is often applied to support adrenal function, manage hormonal imbalances, and address symptoms related to aging, fatigue, or cognitive decline. The topical route allows for slow, steady absorption through the skin.
Pregnenolone acts as a key building block in the steroidogenesis pathway, converting into other hormones based on the body’s needs. Applied topically, it penetrates the skin and enters systemic circulation, where it can be enzymatically transformed into downstream hormones. It influences neuronal function, modulates stress response, and supports memory and mood by acting on neurosteroids in the brain. Additionally, pregnenolone may affect inflammation and immune regulation through its hormonal metabolites.
Pregnenolone cream should not be used by individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions, such as breast, ovarian, or prostate cancers, unless under medical supervision. People with severe liver or kidney disease, uncontrolled endocrine disorders, or a history of seizures should use it cautiously. Regular monitoring is recommended during prolonged use, as hormonal shifts can occur. Keep out of reach of children and avoid application on broken or irritated skin.
Topical pregnenolone may influence the effectiveness of other hormone therapies or medications that affect the endocrine system. It can interact with corticosteroids, thyroid medications, or drugs affecting liver enzyme activity, potentially altering hormone metabolism. Herbal supplements that impact hormone levels, such as licorice root or maca, may enhance or counteract its effects. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining with other therapies.
Some users may experience local skin reactions like redness, itching, or irritation at the application site. Systemic effects may include mood swings, acne, sleep disturbances, or oily skin due to hormonal changes. In rare cases, overuse may lead to hormonal imbalance, resulting in irregular menstrual cycles, breast tenderness, or changes in libido. Discontinue use and seek medical advice if adverse effects persist or worsen.
Pregnenolone cream is not recommended during pregnancy due to its potential hormonal activity, which may influence fetal development. Its safety profile during lactation is not well established, and it is unknown whether pregnenolone passes into breast milk in significant amounts. Women who are pregnant, planning to conceive, or breastfeeding should avoid use unless specifically prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional.
Store this medication at 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C) and away from heat, moisture and light. Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Throw away any unused medicine after the beyond-use date. Do not flush unused medications or pour down a sink or drain.
- Burstein S, Gut M. Biosynthesis of Pregnenolone. Recent Prog Horm Res. 1971;27:303-49.
- Strushkevich N, MacKenzie F, Cherkesova T, Grabovec I, Usanov S, Park HW. Structural basis for pregnenolone biosynthesis by the mitochondrial monooxygenase system. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2011;108(25):10139-43.
- M Schumacher, P Robel, E E Baulieu. Development and regeneration of the nervous system: a role for neurosteroids. Dev Neurosci. 1996;18(1-2):6-21.
- Marx CE, Keefe RSE, et al. Proof-of-Concept Trial with the Neurosteroid Pregnenolone Targeting Cognitive and Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2009 Jul; 34(8): 1885–1903.
- Vallée M, Mayo W, Moal ML. Role of pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone and their sulfate esters on learning and memory in cognitive aging. Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 2001 Nov;37(1-3):301-12.
- Murugan S, Jakka P, Namani S , Mujumdar V, Radhakrishnan G. The neurosteroid, pregnenolone promotes degradation of key proteins in the innate immune signalling to suppress inflammation. 2019;294(12):4596-4607.
- Michael Ritsner, Rachel Maayan, Anatoly Gibel, Abraham Weizman. Differences in blood pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone levels between schizophrenia patients and healthy subjects. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2007;17(5):358-65.
- Marx CE, Stevens RD, Shampine LJ, et al. Neuroactive steroids are altered in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: relevance to pathophysiology and therapeutics. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2006;31(6):1249-63.
- George MS, Guidotti A, Rubinow D, Pan B, Mikalauskas K, Post RM. CSF neuroactive steroids in affective disorders: pregnenolone, progesterone, and DBI. Biol Psychiatry. 1994;35(10):775-80.
- Weill-Engerer S, David JP, Sazdovitch V. Neurosteroid quantification in human brain regions: comparison between Alzheimer’s and nondemented patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002;87(11):5138-43.
- Brown ES, Park J,1 Marx CE, et al. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Pregnenolone for Bipolar Depression. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2014; 39(12): 2867–2873.
- Plassart-Schiess E, Baulieu EE. Neurosteroids: recent findings. Brain Research Reviews. 2001;37(1-3):133-140.
- Ducharme N, Banks WA, Morley JE, Robinson SM, Niehoff ML, and Mattern C. Brain distribution and behavioral effects of progesterone and pregnenolone after intranasal or intravenous administration. Eur J Pharmacol. 2010; 641(2-3):128–134.
- Sripada RK, Marx CE, King AP, Rampton JC, Ho S, Liberzon I. Allopregnanolone Elevations Following Pregnenolone Administration are Associated with Enhanced Activation of Emotion Regulation Neurocircuits. Biol Psychiatry. 2013;73(11):1045–1053.
- Schumacher M, Robel P, Baulieu EE. Development and regeneration of the nervous system: a role for neurosteroids. Dev Neurosci. 1996;18(1-2):6-21.
- Mellon SH. Neurosteroid regulation of CNS development. Pharmacol Ther. 2007;116(1):107–124.
- Baulieu EE, Robel P, Schumacher M. Neurosteroids: beginning of the story. Int Rev Neurobiol. 2001;46:1-32.
- Baulieu EE. Neurosteroids: of the nervous system, by the nervous system, for the nervous system. Recent Prog Horm Res. 1997;52:1-32.
- Fontaine-Lenoir V, Chambraud B, Fellous A, David S, Duchossoy Y, Baulieu EE, Robel P. Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) is a neurosteroid receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2006;103(12):4711–4716.
- Wang M. Neurosteroids and GABA-A Receptor Function. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2011;2:44.
- Akk G, Bracamontes J, Steinbach JH. Pregnenolone sulfate block of GABAA receptors: mechanism and involvement of a residue in the M2 region of the α subunit. J Physiol. 2001;532(Pt 3):673–684.
- Pertwee R.G. (2015) Endocannabinoids and Their Pharmacological Actions. In: Pertwee R. (eds) Endocannabinoids. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 231.
- Romieu P, Martin-Fardon R, Bowen WD, Maurice T. σ1 Receptor-Related Neuroactive Steroids Modulate Cocaine-Induced Reward. J Neurosci. 2003;23(9):3572–3576.
- Kliewer SA, Lehmann JM, Milburn MV, Willson TM. The PPARs and PXRs: nuclear xenobiotic receptors that define novel hormone signaling pathways. Recent Prog Horm Res. 1999;54:345-67.
- Ma Y, Liu D. Activation of Pregnane X Receptor by Pregnenolone 16 α-carbonitrile Prevents High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in AKR/J Mice. PLoS One. 2012;7(6):e38734.
- Russo J, Russo IH. The Role of Estrogen in the Initation of Brest Cancer. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2006;102(1-5)89–96.
- Yang B, Chen R, Liang X, Shi J, Wu X, Zhang Z, Chen X. Estrogen Enhances Endometrial Cancer Cells Proliferation by Upregulation of Prohibitin. J Cancer. 2019; 10(7):1616-1621.
- Mungenast F, Thalhammer T. Estrogen Biosynthesis and Action in Ovarian Cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2014;5:192.
- Bosland MC. The Role of Estrogens in Prostate Carcinogenesis: A Rationale for Chemoprevention. Rev Urol. 2005;7(Suppl 3):S4–S10.
- Deroo BJ, Korach KS. Estrogen receptors and human disease. J Clin Invest. 2006;116(3):561–570.
- Serdar E. Bulun SE, Monsavais D, Pavone ME, Dyson M, Xue Q, Attar E, Tokunaga H, Su EJ. Role of Estrogen Receptor-β in Endometriosis. Nat Med. 2012;18(7):1016–1018.
- Howard BV, Rossouw JE. Estrogens and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Revisited: the Women’s Health Initiative. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2013;24(6):493–499.
- Gilbert EL, Ryan MJ. Estrogen in Cardiovascular Disease during Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Clin Ther. 2014;36(12):1901–1912.
- Savolainen-Peltonen H, Rahkola-Soisalo P, Hoti F, Vattulainen P, Gissler M, Ylikorkala O, Mikkola TS. Use of postmenopausal hormone therapy and risk of Alzheimer’s disease in Finland: nationwide case-control study. BMJ. 2019;364:l665.
- Velíšková J, Jesus GD, Kaur R, and Velíšek L. Females, their estrogens and seizures. Epilepsia. 2010; 51(Suppl 3):141–144.
- Vacheron-Trystram MN, Cheref S, Gauillard J, Plas J. [A case report of mania precipitated by use of DHEA]. Encephale. 2002;28(6 Pt 1):563-566.
- Dean CE. Prasterone (DHEA) and mania. Ann Pharmacother. 2000;34(12):1419-22.
- Pure Encapsulations® pregnenolone 30mg capsules package insert. 2016.
- Randel A. AACE Releases Guidelines for Menopausal Hormone Therapy. Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(9):864-868.
- Mueck AO, Seeger H. Smoking, estradiol metabolism and hormone replacement therapy. Curr Med Chem Cardiovasc Hematol Agents. 2005;3(1):45-54.
- Svartberg J, Jorde R. Endogenous testosterone levels and smoking in men. The fifth Tromsø study. Int J Androl. 2007;30(3):137-43.
- Meieran SE, Reus VI, Webster R, Shafton R, Wolkowitz OM. Chronic pregnenolone effects in normal humans: attenuation of benzodiazepine-induced sedation. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2004;29(4):486-500.
- Melchior CL, Ritzmann RF. Pregnenolone and pregnenolone sulfate, alone and with ethanol, in mice on the plus-maze. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1994;48(4):893-7.
- Naylor JC, Kilts JD, Shampine LJ, et al. Effect of Pregnenolone vs Placebo on Self-reported Chronic Low Back Pain Among US Military Veterans. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(3):e200287.
