Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate)

Complete info about Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate)

This drug is used as a first line defense against breast cancer. In the late 80's, Dan Duchaine speculated that it could also be used by bodybuilders to halt the development of another type of tumor in the mammary gland—gynecomastia. He introduced this find to the steroid-using-community in his "Contest Prep" issue of the UnderGround Steroid Handbook Update Newsletter (the contest prep-issue was actually 3 issues in one, for those who had a subscription to the newsletter).

Nolvadex is commonly referred to in quite a few ways: as a SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator), as an anti-estrogen (that is actually incorrect, as we will later see), and finally as a triphenylethylene. I happen to stick with calling Nolvadex a SERM, because out of my three options, it happens to be correct (as we know that calling it an anti-estrogen is incorrect), and pronounceable (as we know that I have no idea how to say "triphenylethylene"). Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) act as either estrogen receptor agonists or antagonists in a tissue-selective manner.
Nolvadex actually has quite a few applications for the athlete using steroids. First and foremost, its most common use is for the prevention of gynecomastia. Nolvadex does this by actually competing for the receptor site in breast tissue, and binding to it. Thus, we can safely say that the effect of tamoxifen is through estrogen receptor blockage of breast tissue (1), especially since total body estradiol increases with its use. Clearly, if you are on a cycle including steroids that convert to estrogen, you may want to consider Nolvadex as a good choice to run along side them. Nolvadex, however, is not the most potent ancillary compound we can use on a cycle, but it is probably the safest considering it doesn't actually reduce estrogen in your body; keeping some estrogen floating around can have many benefits on muscle growth, as well. Estrogen is also important for a properly functioning immune system. Not only that, but your lipid profile (both HDL and LDL) should also show marked improvement with administration of tamoxifen (4). Many bodybuilders actually use this stuff during their cycles for the health benefits it provides. If, however, you are preparing for a bodybuilding contest, you need to use something that will suck most (if not all) of the estrogen out of your body. I am speculating that you may be able to use Nolvadex for the majority of a contest prep cycle, to keep yourself relatively healthy, and then switch over to letrozol for the last 8 weeks.

Nolvadex also has some other interesting features for steroid users. In hypogonadic and infertile men given nolvadex, increases in the serum levels of LH, FSH, and—most importantly—testosterone were all observed (2)(3). The best (rough) estimate I can give you from my research is that 20mgs of Nolvadex will raise your testosterone levels about 150% (5), and this would of course greatly aid post cycle recovery. What this means to us is that if you take nolvadex after a cycle when you are trying to raise your levels of testosterone, LH, and FSH back to normal, it will greatly aid recovery. A lot of regular users admit if they were limited to just one compound to aid me in post cycle recovery, nolvadex would be their choice. If you want a comparison, it would require 150mgs of Clomid to accomplish that type of elevation in testosterone, but nolvadex also significantly increased the LH (Leutenizing Hormone) response to LHRL (5), after 6 weeks.

Some of the more harsh ancillary compounds available today will give you a more "dry" look that nolvadex can't, but nolvadex is simply safer to use in long (over 16 week) cycles.

Unfortunately, nolvadex isn't perfect. Anecdotally, it has been linked to reduced gains in some bodybuilders. This isn't due, as previously thought, to its reducing estrogen levels (which it doesn't), but rather to it's ability to possibly reduce IGF (Insulin-like-Growth-Factor) levels, which are important for muscle growth (6)(7). This lowering of IGF levels is probably due to lowering of GH at the pituitary.

References

• Klin Padiatr. 1987 Nov-Dec;199(6):389-91.
• Stimulation of calcitonin secretory capacity by increased serum levels of testosterone in men treated with tamoxifen. Int J Androl. 1987 Dec;10(6):747-51.
• Hormonal changes in tamoxifen treated men with idiopathic oligozoospermia Exp Clin Endocrinol. 1988 Dec;92(2):211-6.
• 2 Bruning PF, Bronfer JMG, Hart AAM, Jong-Bakker M, tamoxifen, serum lipoproteins and cardiovascular risk, Br. J. Cancer 1988 Oct, 58 (4) 497-9
• Fertil Steril. 1978 Mar;29(3):320-7.
• J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1993 Jun; 76(6): 1407-12.
• Eur J Cancer. 1992;28A(4-5):788-93