Legal status by country
Is DHEA legal?
Written by Aaron CuhaReviewed Sep 2026
How DHEA is classified in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, side by side. Each country has its own page with a direct answer, the regulator's approval status and what the classification means in practice.
All four countries, side by side
| Attribute | United States · FDA | United Kingdom · MHRA | Australia · TGA | Canada · Health Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Not approved | Not approved | Prescription route | Prescription route |
| Classification | Sold as a supplement | Prescription only; not sold as a supplement | Prescription only | Prescription only |
| Note | Sold as a dietary supplement, and separately approved as a prescription vaginal insert (prasterone) for dyspareunia due to vulvovaginal atrophy. Prohibited in sport by WADA. | Unlike the United States, DHEA is a prescription-only medicine in the UK and is not available over the counter. | Not available as an over-the-counter supplement. | Not available as an over-the-counter supplement. |
US FDA status: Sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Separately, prasterone is an FDA-approved prescription vaginal insert for moderate to severe dyspareunia due to menopausal vulvar and vaginal atrophy. It is banned in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency.. Reviewed Sep 2026.
Related compounds
General information current as of Sep 2026, not legal advice. Classifications change; confirm with the regulator or a lawyer for a specific situation. Educational use only. This database summarizes published research. It is not medical advice and contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use. The Longevity Archive has no vendor relationships.