by Bill Roberts - Anastrozole (Arimidex)
is the aromatase inhibitor of choice. The
drug is appropriately used when using substantial
amounts of aromatizing steroids, or when one is
prone to gynecomastia and using moderate amounts
of such steroids. Arimidex does not have the
side effects of aminoglutethimide
(Cytadren®) and can achieve a high degree of
estrogen blockade, much moreso than
Cytadren®. It is possible
to reduce estrogen too much with Arimidex, and for
this reason
blood
tests, or less preferably salivary tests, should
be taken after the first week of use to determine
if the dosing is correct.
As an aromatase inhibitor, Arimidex's mechanism
of action -- blocking conversion of aromatizable
steroids to estrogen -- is in contrast to the mechanism
of action of anti-estrogens such as clomiphene (Clomid®)
or tamoxifen (Nolvadex®),
which block estrogen receptors in some tissues,
and activate estrogen receptors in others. During
a cycle, if using Arimidex, there is generally no
need to use Clomid as well, but (as mentioned in
the section on Clomid)
there may still be benefits to doing so.
Arimidex is quite expensive, costing approximately
$9 per milligram. With moderate doses of testosterone
0.5 mg/day is usually sufficient and in some cases
may be too much.
