Comparison
DHEA vs Metformin
Side-by-side of DHEA and Metformin. Every row below is pulled from the compound schema and will update as our data grows. For deeper reads, follow through to each compound page.
DHEA
DHEA supplement profile: adrenal androgen precursor, typical 25-50 mg dose, DHEA-S targets, evidence for adrenal insufficiency and vaginal atrophy, side effec.
Metformin
Metformin for longevity: biguanide mechanism of action, TAME trial status, anti-aging dosage, weight loss data, life extension evidence in non-diabetics.
Effects at a glance
DHEA
- •Adrenal androgen precursor; serum DHEA-S declines progressively after the third decade of life
- •OTC dietary supplement in US under DSHEA 1994; prescription in EU, UK, Canada, Australia
- •FDA approved as Intrarosa (6.5 mg vaginal insert) for postmenopausal dyspareunia in 2016
- •Acts as tissue-specific prohormone converted intracrinologically to testosterone and estrogens
- •Best evidence: adrenal insufficiency replacement and vaginal atrophy; weaker on cognition and longevity
- •WADA banned in competitive sport; banned in NCAA, MLB, NFL, IOC settings
Metformin
- •Reduces HbA1c by ~1.0 to 1.5 percentage points in type 2 diabetes; first-line agent in major guidelines
- •DPP trial: 31% reduction in T2DM incidence in adults with prediabetes over 2.8 years
- •Suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis via AMPK activation and complex I inhibition
- •Long-term use depletes B12; annual monitoring recommended after year 2
- •Lifespan extension in non-diabetic humans is not established; TAME trial pending
- •MASTERS trial reported blunted resistance-training hypertrophy in older adults
Side-by-side
| Attribute | DHEA | Metformin |
|---|---|---|
| Category | hormone | pharmaceutical |
| Also known as | dehydroepiandrosterone, prasterone, Intrarosa | Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza, dimethylbiguanide |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 12 | 6 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 25 | 1500 |
| Dosing frequency | daily, typically morning | 1 to 3 times daily with meals; XR once daily |
| Routes | oral, vaginal, topical | oral |
| Onset (hr) | 1 | 1 |
| Peak (hr) | 1 | 2.5 |
| Molecular weight | 288.42 | 129.16 |
| Molecular formula | C19H28O2 | C4H11N5 |
| Mechanism | Steroid prohormone converted intracrinologically to testosterone and estrogens in target tissues; also exerts direct effects via sigma-1 receptor, GABA-A modulation, and glucocorticoid receptor interaction. | Suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis primarily via AMPK activation and complex I inhibition; modestly improves peripheral insulin sensitivity and shifts gut microbiome composition. |
| Legal status | OTC supplement in US (DSHEA 1994); prescription in EU, UK, Canada, Australia | Prescription only (FDA approved for type 2 diabetes 1994) |
| WADA status | banned | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | OTC supplement in US (not scheduled); Rx in EU, UK, Canada, Australia | Rx only (not a controlled substance) |
| Pregnancy | Contraindicated in pregnancy | Category B; used in gestational diabetes and PCOS per current guidance |
| CAS | 53-43-0 | 657-24-9 |
| PubChem CID | 5881 | 4091 |
| Wikidata | Q411733 | Q19484 |
Safety profile
DHEA
Common side effects
- acne
- oily skin
- hirsutism (women)
- gynecomastia (men, higher doses)
- irritability
- insomnia
Contraindications
- hormone-sensitive cancer (breast, ovarian, prostate)
- active liver disease
- uncontrolled lipid disorder
- pregnancy and lactation
Interactions
- warfarin: case reports of altered INR; monitor(moderate)
- estrogens (HRT): additive estrogenic effect via conversion; monitor(moderate)
- insulin: may improve insulin sensitivity slightly; monitor glucose(minor)
- anastrozole: may reduce DHEA-derived estrogen; clinical relevance unclear(minor)
Metformin
Common side effects
- nausea
- diarrhea
- abdominal discomfort
- metallic taste
- decreased appetite
- B12 depletion (long-term)
Contraindications
- eGFR below 30 mL/min/1.73m2
- acute or chronic metabolic acidosis
- severe hepatic impairment
- acute heart failure
- iodinated contrast within 48 hours
Interactions
- iodinated contrast media: renal injury risk; hold 48 hours peri-imaging(major)
- alcohol (heavy use): elevated lactic acidosis risk(major)
- cimetidine: raises metformin plasma levels via OCT2 inhibition(moderate)
- insulin and sulfonylureas: additive hypoglycemia risk in combination(moderate)
- dolutegravir: raises metformin exposure via OCT2(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
DHEA comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 2 catalogued goals, OTC dietary supplement, oral dosing, with a Tier-A outcome catalogued. Metformin is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is hormonal optimization, pick DHEA.
- → If your priority is metabolic health and glucose control, pick Metformin.
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick DHEA.
Edge case: If you want to avoid prescription-only, DHEA is the more accessible choice.
Default choice: DHEA. Lower friction to source, a Tier-A evidence outcome catalogued, and broader goal coverage. Reach for Metformin only if your priority sits squarely in the goals it owns above.
This verdict is generated from each compound's schema (goals, legal status, evidence outcomes, dosing route). It updates automatically as our compound data evolves; the deeper read sits on each individual compound page.
Common questions
What is the difference between DHEA and Metformin?
DHEA and Metformin differ in category (hormone vs pharmaceutical), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, DHEA or Metformin?
DHEA half-life is 12 hours; Metformin half-life is 6 hours.
Can you stack DHEA with Metformin?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
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