Ultra Pregnenolone [Discontinued] by Natures Plus

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Although there has been interest in using oral black pepper for allergic rhinitis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of black pepper for this purpose.
• Asthma. Although there has been interest in using oral black pepper for asthma, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of black pepper for this purpose.
• Athletic performance. Oral black pepper has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: One small clinical trial in untrained males shows that taking a supplement containing black pepper extract 10 mg, caffeine 400 mg, capsicum extract 66.7 mg, and niacin 40 mg as a single dose prior to exercise does not improve strength, time to exhaustion, or maximal oxygen consumption when compared with placebo (37873).
• Depression. Although there has been interest in using oral black pepper for depression, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of black pepper for this purpose.
• Diarrhea. Although there has been interest in using oral black pepper for diarrhea, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of black pepper for this purpose.
• Dysmenorrhea. Although there has been interest in using oral black pepper for dysmenorrhea, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of black pepper for this purpose.
• Dyspepsia. Although there has been interest in using oral black pepper for dyspepsia, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of black pepper for this purpose.
• Fall prevention. It is unclear if inhaling black pepper oil as aromatherapy is beneficial for fall prevention in older adults. Details: One small clinical study in older adults shows that applying black pepper oil near the right side of the nose as an olfactory stimulant improves stability while the eyes are closed during a one-minute trial when compared with the application of water. The improvement with black pepper oil is comparable to the improvement seen with the application of lavender oil (29160). It is unclear if any benefit persists after inhalation of black pepper oil.
• Fatigue. It is unclear if oral black pepper is beneficial in patients with fatigue. Details: One small clinical trial in adults with below-average energy levels shows that taking black pepper 2 grams as a single dose does not improve sustained attention, motivation to perform cognitive tasks, or feelings of mental energy and mental fatigue when compared with placebo (91731).
• Flatulence. Although there has been interest in using oral black pepper for flatulence, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of black pepper for this purpose.
• Headache. Although there has been interest in using oral black pepper for headache, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of black pepper for this purpose.
• Insect bite. Topical black pepper has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: One small clinical trial shows that applying a specific product (Trikatu) containing black pepper, long pepper, and ginger, as well as camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol, directly to mosquito bites does not reduce papule size, erythema, edema, or pruritis when compared with a control compound containing the same base ingredients but without the pepper and ginger components (89893).
• Obesity. Although there has been interest in using oral black pepper for obesity, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of black pepper for this purpose.
• Pain (chronic). Although there has been interest in using topical black pepper for chronic pain related to various etiologies, including osteoarthritis, postherpetic neuralgia, and peripheral neuropathy, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of black pepper for these conditions.
• Rhinosinusitis. Although there has been interest in using oral black pepper for rhinosinusitis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of black pepper for this purpose.
• Sexual desire. Although there has been interest in using oral black pepper for increasing sexual desire, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of black pepper for this purpose.
• Smoking cessation. It is unclear if inhaling black pepper essential oil as aromatherapy is effective for smoking cessation. Details: One small clinical trial in adult male smokers who were deprived from smoking overnight shows that inhaling a vapor from the essential oil of black pepper, as needed over a 3-hour period, reduces cigarette cravings, negative feelings, and anxiety when compared with a placebo vapor (29159). Another small clinical study in patients addicted to dipping, chewing, or smoking tobacco shows that placing a drop of black pepper essential oil on tissue paper and inhaling for 2 minutes at least three times a day for 3 days reduces nicotine cravings when compared to baseline (90502).
• Swallowing dysfunction. It is unclear if inhaling black pepper oil as aromatherapy is beneficial in patients with swallowing dysfunction. Details: One small clinical study in post-stroke residents of nursing homes shows that one minute of olfactory stimulation with black pepper oil before each meal for 30 days decreases swallowing reflex latency by 11 seconds and increases the number of swallowing movements by 3.3 when compared to baseline (29161). A small clinical trial in children with neurological disorders who were on long-term enteral nutrition shows that applying black pepper oil to the nostrils or nasal cavity for one minute improves the amount of oral intake and swallowing movement in 63% of patients. Although oral intake increased, the need for enteral nutrition was not eliminated (29162).
• Vitiligo. It is unclear if topical piperine oil, a constituent of black pepper, is beneficial in patients with vitiligo. Details: A small clinical study in patients with vitiligo shows that applying piperine oil 1% daily in addition to receiving narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) light therapy every other day for 3 months improves repigmentation more rapidly when compared with using NB-UVB alone (103820). More evidence is needed to rate black pepper for these uses.

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INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Aging. Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for aging, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose.
• Alcohol use disorder. It is unclear if oral pregnenolone is beneficial in patients with alcohol use disorder. Details: Preliminary clinical research in adults with alcohol use disorder undergoing guided imagery shows that taking pregnenolone 150-250 mg orally twice daily for 8 weeks improves alcohol craving severity scores and anxiety scores when compared with placebo. Taking pregnenolone also improved physiological markers of stress such as heart rate and blood pressure (112726).
• Alzheimer disease. Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for Alzheimer disease, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose.
• Autism spectrum disorder. It is unclear if oral pregnenolone is beneficial in patients with autism spectrum disorder. Details: Two small clinical studies show pregnenolone as add-on therapy may improve symptoms in patients with autism spectrum disorder. One small clinical study shows that taking pregnenolone 100 mg orally twice daily as an add-on to risperidone for 10 weeks further improves ratings of irritability, stereotypy, and hyperactivity in drug-naïve adolescents aged 11-17 years with autism when compared with risperidone and placebo (104275). A very small open-label study in adults with autism shows that taking pregnenolone 50-250 mg orally twice daily as an add-on to therapy with psychotropic medications for 12 weeks may improve sensory abnormalities and symptoms of irritability and lethargy (94026). However, the lack of a control group limits the validity of these findings.
• Back pain. It is unclear if oral pregnenolone is beneficial in patients with back pain. Details: One small clinical study in otherwise healthy veterans with chronic low back pain shows that taking pregnenolone orally, titrated up to 500 mg daily, for 4 weeks reduces pain intensity by 0.56 when compared with placebo, as measured on a visual analog scale ranking pain intensity from 0 to 10. This small reduction is not likely to be considered clinically significant. Taking pregnenolone also seemed to modestly reduce the extent that pain interfered with activity or work when compared with placebo; however, there were no significant changes in the other 5 measures of pain interference (104274).
• Bipolar disorder. It is unclear if oral pregnenolone is beneficial in patients with bipolar disorder. Details: Preliminary clinical research in adults with bipolar disorder and depressive episodes shows that taking pregnenolone orally, titrated up to 500 mg daily, as add-on therapy for 12 weeks improves depression symptom scores when compared with placebo (94027).
• Cocaine dependence. It is unclear if oral pregnenolone is beneficial in patients with cocaine dependence. Details: Preliminary clinical research in adults with cocaine dependence undergoing guided imagery shows that taking pregnenolone 150-250 mg orally twice daily for 8 weeks improves cocaine craving severity scores when compared with placebo. Taking pregnenolone also improved physiological markers of stress such as heart rate and blood pressure (112728).
• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Oral pregnenolone has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows in adults with persistent symptoms at least 3 months after a COVID-19 infection shows that taking a combination product containing pregnenolone 40 mg, beta-caryophyllene 40 mg, and other ingredients orally twice daily for 4 weeks improves respiratory and other symptoms when compared with baseline (112727). The validity of this study is limited by the lack of a comparator group. It is unclear if this effect is due to pregnenolone, other ingredients, or the combination.
• Critical illness (trauma). Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for trauma, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose.
• Depression. Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for depression, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose.
• Endometriosis. Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for endometriosis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose.
• Fatigue. Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for fatigue, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose.
• Fibrocystic breast disease. Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for fibrocystic breast disease, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose.
• Memory. Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for memory, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose.
• Menopausal symptoms. Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for menopausal symptoms, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS). Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for MS, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose.
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for PMS, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose.
• Psoriasis. Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for psoriasis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose.
• Schizophrenia. It is unclear if oral pregnenolone is beneficial in patients with schizophrenia. Details: The effects of pregnenolone adjunctive therapy on negative symptoms of schizophrenia are conflicting. Several clinical studies in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder and suboptimal response to previous antipsychotic treatments show that taking pregnenolone 50 mg orally daily alone or as add-on therapy with L-theanine 400 mg daily, for 8 weeks, reduces negative symptoms based on the negative symptom scale of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) when compared with placebo (94029,97923). However, conflicting results exist. One study shows that taking pregnenolone 30 mg or 200 mg daily for 8 weeks does not improve negative symptoms based on the negative symptom scale of the PANSS in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder (94028). Furthermore, another clinical study conducted in women hospitalized with an acute episode of schizophrenia shows that taking pregnenolone 50 mg orally daily for 8 weeks in combination with risperidone 2-6 mg daily does not reduce negative symptoms when compared with risperidone plus placebo (97924). Reasons for the conflicting results may relate to concomitant use of psychotropic medications such as mood stabilizers and antidepressants, prenenolone dosage, and schizophrenia subtypes of the included patients. Despite some conflicting results (94028), most research shows that taking pregnenolone orally as adjunctive therapy does not significantly improve positive symptoms based on the positive symptom subscale of the PANSS compared to placebo in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder (94029,94032,97923,97924). One clinical study shows that taking pregnenolone 50 mg orally daily for 8 weeks in combination with antipsychotics might improve visual attention but does not appear to improve other neurocognitive symptoms of schizophrenia such as deficits in sustained attention or executive function compared with placebo (97925).
• Scleroderma. Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for scleroderma, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose.
• Seizures. Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for seizures, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for SLE, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose.
• Stress. Although there has been interest in using oral pregnenolone for stress, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of pregnenolone for this purpose. More evidence is needed to rate pregnenolone for these uses.

(Read more about PREGNENOLONE)

LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Black pepper has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US (4912).

POSSIBLY SAFE ...when black pepper oil is applied topically. Black pepper oil is nonirritating to the skin and is generally well tolerated (11). ...when black pepper oil is inhaled through the nose or as a vapor through the mouth, short-term. Black pepper oil as a vapor or as an olfactory stimulant has been used with apparent safety in clinical studies for up to 3 days and 30 days, respectively (29159,29160,29161,90502). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of black pepper when used orally in medicinal amounts.

CHILDREN: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods (11).

CHILDREN: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when used orally in large amounts. Fatal cases of pepper aspiration have been reported in some patients (5619,5620). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of topical pepper oil when used in children.

PREGNANCY: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods (11).

PREGNANCY: LIKELY UNSAFE
when used orally in large amounts. Black pepper might have abortifacient effects (11,19); contraindicated. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of topical pepper when used during pregnancy.

LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods (11). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of black pepper when used in medicinal amounts during breast-feeding.

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POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately, short-term. Pregnenolone has been used safely for up to 12 weeks, with doses titrated up to 500 mg daily (94026,94027,97923,104274). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of pregnenolone when used long-term.

CHILDREN: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately, short-term. Pregnenolone has been used safely for up to 10 weeks at doses of 200 mg daily in adolescents aged 11-17 years (104275). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of pregnenolone in younger children or when used orally for longer durations.

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

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AMOXICILLIN (Amoxil, Trimox) Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination. Severity = Mild •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, black pepper might increase the effects and side effects of amoxicillin.  Details Animal research shows that taking piperine, a constituent of black pepper, with amoxicillin increases plasma levels of amoxicillin (29269). This has not been reported in humans.

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, black pepper might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.  Details In vitro research shows that piperine, a constituent of black pepper, seems to inhibit platelet aggregation (29206). This has not been reported in humans.

ANTIDIABETES DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, black pepper might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.  Details Animal research shows that piperine, a constituent of black pepper, can reduce blood glucose levels (29225). Monitor blood glucose levels closely. Dose adjustments might be necessary.

ATORVASTATIN (Lipitor) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, black pepper might increase blood levels of atorvastatin.  Details Animal research shows that taking piperine, a constituent of black pepper, 35 mg/kg can increase the maximum serum concentration of atorvastatin three-fold (104188). This has not been reported in humans.

CARBAMAZEPINE (Tegretol) Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination. Severity = Mild •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = B Theoretically, black pepper might increase blood levels of carbamazepine, potentially increasing the effects and side effects of carbamazepine.  Details One clinical study in patients taking carbamazepine 300 mg or 500 mg twice daily shows that taking a single 20 mg dose of purified piperine, a constituent of black pepper, increases carbamazepine levels. Piperine may increase carbamazepine absorption by increasing blood flow to the GI tract, increasing the surface area of the small intestine, or inhibiting cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) in the gut wall. Absorption was significantly increased by 7-10 mcg/mL/hour. The time to eliminate carbamazepine was also increased by 4-8 hours. Although carbamazepine levels were increased, this did not appear to increase side effects (16833). In vitro research also shows that piperine can increase carbamazepine levels by 11% in a time-dependent manner (103819).

CYCLOSPORINE (Neoral, Sandimmune) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, black pepper might increase the effects and side effects of cyclosporine.  Details In vitro research shows that piperine, a constituent of black pepper, increases the bioavailability of cyclosporine (29282). This has not been reported in humans.

CYTOCHROME P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, black pepper might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A1.  Details In vitro research suggests that piperine, a constituent of black pepper, inhibits CYP1A1 (29213). This has not been reported in humans.

CYTOCHROME P450 2B1 (CYP2B1) SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, black pepper might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2B1.  Details In vitro research suggests that piperine, a constituent of black pepper, inhibits CYP2B1 (29332). This has not been reported in humans.

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, black pepper might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.  Details In vitro research suggests that some constituents of black pepper inhibit CYP2D6 (29207,29212,38375). This has not been reported in humans.

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, black pepper might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.  Details In vitro research shows that piperine, a constituent of black pepper, as well as the pepper fruit seem to inhibit CYP3A4 (14375,29212). This has not been reported in humans.

LITHIUM Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, black pepper might increase blood levels of lithium due to its diuretic effects. The dose of lithium might need to be reduced.  Details Black pepper is thought to have diuretic properties (11).

NEVIRAPINE (Viramune) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Mild •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = D Black pepper might increase blood levels of nevirapine.  Details Clinical research shows that piperine, a constituent of black pepper, increases the plasma concentration of nevirapine. However, no adverse effects were observed in this study (29209).

P-GLYCOPROTEIN SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, black pepper might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.  Details In vitro research shows that piperine, a constituent of black pepper, seems to inhibit P-glycoprotein (14375,29281,29283).

PENTOBARBITAL (Nembutal) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, black pepper might increase the sedative effects of pentobarbital.  Details Animal research shows that piperine, a constituent of black pepper, increases pentobarbital-induced sleeping time (29214).

PHENYTOIN (Dilantin) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = B Black pepper might increase blood levels of phenytoin.  Details Clinical research shows that piperine, a constituent of black pepper, seems to increase absorption, slow elimination, and increase levels of phenytoin (537,14442). Taking a single dose of black pepper 1 gram along with phenytoin seems to double the serum concentration of phenytoin (14375). Consuming a soup with black pepper providing piperine 44 mg/200 mL of soup along with phenytoin also seems to increase phenytoin levels when compared with consuming the same soup without black pepper (14442).

PROPRANOLOL (Inderal) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = B Black pepper might increase blood levels of propranolol.  Details Clinical research shows that piperine, a constituent of black pepper, seems to increase absorption and slow elimination of propranolol (538).

RIFAMPIN (Rifadin) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = B Black pepper might increase blood levels of rifampin.  Details Clinical research shows that piperine, a constituent of black pepper, seems to increase absorption and serum levels of rifampin (14375,29284).

THEOPHYLLINE Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Black pepper might increase blood levels of theophylline.  Details Clinical research shows that piperine, a constituent of black pepper, seems to increase absorption and slow elimination of theophylline (538).

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BENZODIAZEPINES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = B Concomitant use of pregnenolone may reduce the effects of benzodiazepines.  Details Very preliminary clinical research shows that chronic use of pregnenolone reduces sedative effects of diazepam when compared with chronic use of placebo. This effect may be related to the activity of pregnenolone at GABAA receptors (94031).

ESTROGENS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, taking pregnenolone might enhance the effects of estrogens.  Details Pregnenolone is a precursor for several steroid hormones, including estrogens (3008).

PROGESTERONE Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, taking pregnenolone might enhance the effects of progesterone.  Details In humans, some research shows that oral administration of pregnenolone can increase levels of progesterone (94032). However, other research shows no effect on progesterone levels (94028). It is possible the impact of pregnenolone on progesterone levels may be dose dependent.

PROGESTIN Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, taking pregnenolone might enhance the effects of progestin.  Details Pregnenolone is a precursor for several steroid hormones, including progestin (3008).

TESTOSTERONE Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, taking pregnenolone might enhance the effects of testosterone.  Details Pregnenolone is a precursor for several steroid hormones, including testosterone (3008). However, preliminary clinical research shows that taking pregnenolone 30-500 mg orally daily for up to 8 weeks does not affect testosterone levels (94028,94032).

(Read more about PREGNENOLONE)

General ...Orally, black pepper seems to be well tolerated when used in the amounts found in food or when taken as a medicine as a single dose. Topically and as aromatherapy, black pepper oil seems to be well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Burning aftertaste, dyspepsia, and reduced taste perception.
Inhalation: Cough.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Allergic reaction in sensitive individuals.

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, black pepper can cause a burning aftertaste (5619) and dyspepsia (38061). Single and repeated application of piperine, the active constituent in black pepper, to the tongue and oral cavity can decrease taste perception (29267). By intragastric route, black pepper 1.5 grams has been reported to cause gastrointestinal microbleeds (29164). It is not clear if such an effect would occur with oral administration.

Immunologic ...In one case report, a 17-month-old male developed hives, red eyes, facial swelling, and a severe cough following consumption of a sauce containing multiple ingredients. Allergen skin tests were positive to both black pepper and cayenne, which were found in the sauce (93947).

Ocular/Otic ...Topically, ground black pepper can cause redness of the eyes and swelling of the eyelids (5619).

Pulmonary/Respiratory ...When inhaled through the nose as an olfactory stimulant, black pepper oil has been reported to cause cough in one clinical trial (29162).

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General ...Orally, pregnenolone is generally well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Acne, agitation, diarrhea, drowsiness, excitement, hair loss, skin abscess, sweating, tremor.

Cardiovascular ...A case of palpitations has been reported after oral use of pregnenolone (94031).

Dermatologic ...Orally, pregnenolone has been reported to cause skin abscesses, acne, and hair loss (94027,94031). A case of skin rash accompanied by a burning sensation on the back and sides of the hands has also been reported with oral pregnenolone use, possibly related to a photosensitivity reaction. The rash cleared on its own (94031).

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, pregnenolone may cause diarrhea. Constipation has also been reported after oral use; however, it is not certain if this effect was due to pregnenolone (94026).

Musculoskeletal ...A case of muscle pain/stiffness has been reported after oral use of pregnenolone (94032).

Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, pregnenolone has been reported to cause restlessness, tiredness, sweating, and a case of cold extremities (94026,94032). Sleep problems, drowsiness, and tremor have also been reported; however, it not certain if these effects were due to pregnenolone (94026,94031).

Psychiatric ...Orally, pregnenolone has been reported to cause depressive affect and increased appetite (94026,94031). Increased excitement, agitation, increased motor activity, and anorexia have also been reported; however, it is not certain if these effects were due to pregnenolone (94026).

Pulmonary/Respiratory ...A case of sinusitis has been reported after oral use of pregnenolone (94027).

(Read more about PREGNENOLONE)