- Active substance: Letrozole
- Manufacturer: Odin Pharma
- Unit: 30tabs (2.50mg/tab) LetrozoleActive ingredientLetrozoleAlternative names: Femara, LetrozolActive half-life 2 days
Letrozole is classified as an anti-estrogen and is one of the most potent members of the Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) group. Its strength can be overwhelming, particularly when misused. Although designed to treat breast cancer, it is frequently used by those who take anabolic steroids. Letrozole is a popular choice for bodybuilders seeking to mitigate estrogen-related side effects.
Effects ofLetrozole
For breast cancer patients, Letrozole is extremely advantageous. Certain types of breast cancer thrive on estrogen, and by blocking its production, Letrozole effectively reduces circulating estrogen levels, which can deprive the cancer of necessary resources.
Anabolic steroid users also benefit from Letrozole's anti-estrogenic properties. Many anabolic steroids can elevate estrogen levels due to their conversion through the aromatase enzyme. Increased estrogen can lead to issues like gynecomastia and unnecessary water retention, which may cause high blood pressure if severe.
Incorporating Letrozole into a cycle with aromatizing anabolic steroids can mitigate these estrogen-related side effects, helping to prevent gynecomastia and excessive water retention. Furthermore, since many steroids may induce high blood pressure linked to water retention, using an AI like Letrozole increases the chances of managing this risk. Excessive water retention is often the primary cause of high blood pressure among steroid users.
While Letrozole is highly effective for addressing estrogenic side effects, it may negatively impact cholesterol levels. Generally, AIs alone do not significantly harm cholesterol; however, when combined with aromatizing steroids like testosterone, the adverse effects are intensified. Thus, many may prefer using SERM medications like Tamoxifen Citrate (Nolvadex) as their preferred method for safeguarding against estrogen-related issues.
Additionally, Letrozole can stimulate natural testosterone production, making it an attractive option for Post Cycle Therapy (PCT). It can also be useful for low testosterone treatments, though it might not be sufficiently effective on its own. While Letrozole can effectively stimulate testosterone production, it’s generally not advisable for PCT since normalizing hormone levels after a cycle is also crucial, and excessively low estrogen can hinder this recovery. Estrogen plays a vital role in maintaining a robust immune system and healthy cholesterol levels. Therefore, anabolic steroid users are generally better off using SERMs for their natural testosterone recovery.
Possible side effects:Headaches, fatigue, weakness, hot flashes, elevated blood pressure, joint pain, mood swings, reduction in bone mineral density, and negative impact on cholesterol levels.Recommended usage:
For anabolic steroid users, doses of Letrozole are typically lower. A dosage of 2.5 mg is usually excessive and can lead to significant fatigue; this is almost certain. The exceptions would be if trying to alleviate early symptoms of gynecomastia. If such symptoms appear within 7-14 days, a daily dose of 2.5 mg can be beneficial. Once the symptoms diminish, the dosage should be reduced to a more manageable level for the remainder of the cycle. If this approach is ineffective, surgical intervention may be necessary for persistent gynecomastia. For typical estrogen-related defense, most men find that an intake of 0.5-1 mg every other day suffices. When utilized as an anti-estrogen for low testosterone treatment, even less than that may be adequate. For competitive bodybuilders, administering 1 mg daily during the final 7-14 days leading up to a competition can enhance muscle definition and dryness. However, this is not a dosage that most would want to maintain over an extended timeframe due to its potential harshness.
In breast cancer treatment, the standard dosage of Letrozole is generally 2.5 mg daily. This is a very potent dose and is typically continued until the cancer is under control. Once a patient achieves remission, they often transition from Letrozole to Nolvadex as part of a preventive treatment strategy.