Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA): Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a chemical made from fat. It is found naturally in foods such as egg yolks and peanuts, and in the human body.

PEA can bind to cells in the body and reduce pain and swelling.

PEA is used for different types of pain, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), carpal tunnel syndrome, autism, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

Osteoarthritis. Taking PEA by mouth seems to reduce pain and improve function in people with osteoarthritis.
Chronic pain. Taking PEA by mouth seems to reduce pain in people with chronic pain from different causes.

Possibly Ineffective for

Injury to the spinal cord. Taking PEA by mouth doesn't reduce pain or spasticity of the spine in people with spinal cord injury.

There is interest in using PEA for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: PEA is possibly safe when used for up to 3 months. It's usually well tolerated but might cause nausea in some people. There isn't enough reliable information to know if PEA is safe to use for longer than 3 months.

When applied to the skin: PEA is possibly safe when used for up to 28 days.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if PEA is safe to use when pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Taking PEA by mouth for up to 3 months is possibly safe for children aged 4-17 years.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) overview.

Dosing

PEA has most often been used by adults in doses of 300-1200 mg by mouth daily for 2-12 weeks. In children, it's most often been used in doses of 600 mg by mouth daily for up to 3 months. PEA is also used in creams, lotions, and eye drops. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

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