Ecdysterone

Last Editorial Review: 6/11/2021
Other Name(s):

20-Hydroxy-Ecdysterone, 20-Hydroxyecdysone, 20-Hydroxy-Beta-Ecdysterone, Alfa-ecdysone, Beta-ecdysone, Beta Ecdysterone, Commisterone, Ecdisten, Ecdysone, Ecdystérone, Ecdysterona, Hydroxyecdysterone, Isoinokosterone, Suma.

Overview

Ecdysterone is a chemical found in insects, some animals that live in water, and some plants. People use it for medicine.

Ecdysterone is used to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance.

How does it work?

Ecdysterone is similar in structure to the male hormone testosterone, but there's no evidence that it works like testosterone in people.

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

  • Muscle building.
  • Improving athletic performance.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of ecdysterone for these uses.

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).

Side Effects

There isn't enough reliable information available about ecdysterone to know if it is safe.

SLIDESHOW

Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See Slideshow

Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of ecdysterone during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of ecdysterone 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 ecdysterone. 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.

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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.

References

Bucci LR. Selected herbals and human exercise performance. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72:624S-36S.. View abstract.

Chermnykh NS, Shimanovskii NL, Shutko GV, Syrov VN. [The action of methandrostenolone and ecdysterone on the physical endurance of animals and on protein metabolism in the skeletal muscles]. Farmakol Toksikol 1988;51:57-60.. View abstract.

Suksamrarn A, Jankam A, Tarnchompoo B, Putchakarn S. Ecdysteroids from a Zoanthus sp. J Nat Prod 2002;65:1194-7.. View abstract.

Syrov VN, Kurmukov AG. [Anabolic activity of phytoecdysone-ecdysterone isolated from Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin]. Farmakol Toksikol 1976;39:690-3. View abstract.

Tsitsimpikou C, Tsamis GD, Siskos PA, et al. Study of excretion of ecdysterone in human urine. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2001;15:1796-801.. View abstract.