Nolvadex Dosage
Nolvadex is the first anti-estrogen, developed almost 50 years ago.
It is highly effective at blocking estrogen action in target tissues like breast tissue (and the hypothalamus), making it perhaps the most popular anti-estrogen.
Because Nolvadex has been around for so long, the clinical data available in research form is literally almost infinite (too much to list here).
This has allowed Nolvadex to stand tall as a proven and true medication.
Nolvadex is such a potent SERM from the start that the dosage itself does not need to be excessively high for the compound to perform its role in the body.
One study administered 20-40mg of Nolvadex to 10 adolescents who had developed pubertal gynecomastia for a period of 2-12 months.
The result was a complete elimination of gynecomastia in most subjects, with only two maintaining a small amount of fatty tissue development [1].
The two individuals with residual minor gynecomastia are likely those whose gynecomastia developed beyond the reversible stage, which is indeed possible.
Even within the standard dosage range of Nolvadex, it is abundantly clear that it is a very potent estrogen-blocking compound in breast tissue.
Nolvadex can assist with anabolic steroid use for athletes and bodybuilders who do not wish to reduce estrogen levels but instead want to block estrogen effects in specific tissues.
It is well-known that estrogen plays a key role in proper bone strength, immune system function, central nervous system function, and perhaps one of the most important functions, the positive modulation of cholesterol levels.
For athletes and bodybuilders in particular, estrogen also plays a very important role in proper muscle growth.
For this reason, lowering estrogen levels with an Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) can be unnecessary when estrogen is not completely unwanted.
Therefore, the logical choice is to use a SERM.
Using a proper Nolvadex dosage also provides a very significant benefit in that it increases the endogenous production of two key gonadotropins: LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), which signal the testes to begin testosterone production.
This will be covered in more detail shortly when discussing its use during PCT.
Before delving into the details, it is crucial for the reader to pay close attention to this important caution:
The use of a SERM or anti-estrogen should only be undertaken when absolutely necessary, and use should be discontinued immediately once the requirement for it (such as gynecomastia or lack of androgen production) has subsided.
Medical Nolvadex Dosage
As explained in the introduction of this profile, Nolvadex (Tamoxifen) is currently used in the medical field for the treatment of six different breast cancer indications.
– Treatment of female breast cancer where estrogen is the cause and promoter.
– Treatment of female breast cancer during the period following surgery and/or radiation therapy.
– Treatment of female breast cancer where the cancer persists only in the opposite (contralateral) breast despite surgery and/or radiation therapy.
– Treatment of female breast cancer where the cancer has spread or developed into the milk ducts of the breast (known as Ductal Carcinoma In Situ – DCIS).
– Preventive measure for women known to be at high risk due to genetic factors, etc., who have not developed breast cancer.
The Nolvadex dosage typically prescribed for these conditions is the standard dose of 10-20mg administered twice daily (preferably taken in the morning and evening).
Nolvadex Dosage During Anabolic Steroid Use
Nolvadex, in particular, cannot be categorized into the three user tiers (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) as is commonly described and listed in general profiles for other compounds and drugs.
This is due to the fact that Nolvadex is not used specifically for performance enhancement purposes, but rather as an ancillary drug used to prevent or mitigate various estrogen-related side effects when aromatizable anabolic steroids are used.
In many instances, Nolvadex can be used in an attempt to increase male endogenous testosterone secretion.
This compound can be used as an ancillary drug during the Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) phase after an anabolic steroid cycle has concluded, although its use alone for this purpose is less common and unlikely to exhibit notable performance-enhancing effects.
For on-cycle gynecomastia prevention/reduction purposes: Nolvadex is commonly used during anabolic steroid cycles that utilize aromatizable anabolic steroids to prevent the onset of gynecomastia, or as a blocking drug immediately after gynecomastia has begun to develop.
The Nolvadex dosage for both conditions is the same, utilizing 10-30mg daily during the anabolic steroid cycle, with the most common standard being 20mg daily.
It should be noted that using Nolvadex at dosages higher than 20-40mg daily does not typically result in a faster or greater reduction of gynecomastia, contrary to popular belief.
Increasing the Nolvadex dosage beyond the aforementioned levels will generally result in nothing more than excessive Nolvadex being wasted.
It is extremely important to make it clear to the reader that using Nolvadex can negatively impact performance, muscle, and strength gains during an anabolic steroid cycle.
This is because Nolvadex has been proven to reduce serum levels of IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1) in the body, which is known to be a very important mediator of muscle growth responsible for increased nitrogen retention, protein synthesis, and new muscle cell growth (hyperplasia).
In one particular study, breast cancer patients administered 20-30mg of Nolvadex daily experienced a 31% reduction in plasma IGF-1 levels (14.8 nanomoles pre-administration, 10.2 nanomoles post-administration) [2].
Furthermore, subsequent studies have demonstrated significant IGF-1 reduction due to Nolvadex use; this time, the procedure was completed where subjects were given testosterone alone without Nolvadex, and IGF-1 levels were observed.
Thereafter, the same procedure was completed with the difference being that Nolvadex was included.
Such a study is far more applicable to anabolic steroid users than studies on breast cancer patients.
In this study, when 250mg of testosterone was administered monthly alone, plasma IGF-1 levels increased by 22%, but when 20mg of Nolvadex daily was administered alongside testosterone, subjects’ plasma IGF-1 levels were found to be reduced by 30% [3].
The conclusion is that Nolvadex detrimentally impacts muscle growth by reducing plasma levels of hormones crucial for muscle growth (e.g., IGF-1 and Human Growth Hormone).
Therefore, it is advisable to administer Nolvadex only for the period it is required, for whatever reason (PCT or gynecomastia control/reduction).
Short-term administration of Nolvadex will not have a dramatic impact, but long-term administration can indeed negatively affect muscle growth and athletic performance.
Female Nolvadex Dosage
Female anabolic steroid users generally should not have a requirement for Nolvadex use, as breast tissue growth (gynecomastia) is not an issue among female athletes.
As described above, the primary use of Nolvadex for female breast cancer patients is for women.
Nolvadex Dosage for Increasing Endogenous Testosterone Secretion and PCT (Post Cycle Therapy)
The impact of Nolvadex dosage on male endogenous testosterone production is well-documented and quite profound.
This occurs through the anti-estrogenic effects of Nolvadex on the hypothalamus and pituitary, resulting in a significant release of FSH and LH (the two hormones that signal the testes to initiate or increase testosterone production and secretion).
For this reason, Nolvadex and its close relative, Clomid, are known as absolutely essential components in PCT programs aimed at hormonal recovery after an anabolic steroid cycle.
In fact, Nolvadex has been proven to be a significantly more effective compound than the more commonly used Clomid, and bodybuilders and athletes are becoming increasingly aware of this fact.
While almost every study involving men shows increased testosterone secretion following Nolvadex administration, one notable study stands out.
In this particular study, healthy normal men were given 20mg of Nolvadex daily for 10 days, resulting in a 150% increase in testosterone levels, which was stated to be equivalent to the effect of 150mg of Clomid [4].
Furthermore, this study found that Clomid actually decreased Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) secretion, which Nolvadex in the aforementioned study did not do, and in fact was mentioned to play a role in increasing the body’s sensitivity to LHRH.
When choosing between Nolvadex and Clomid for the purpose of testosterone stimulation, Nolvadex should be the preferred agent of the two.
Thus, Nolvadex is an excellent choice not only for the purpose of stimulating endogenous testosterone secretion but also for gynecomastia mitigation.
The standard dosage for PCT and for stimulating GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone), LH, FSH, and ultimately testosterone release is a simple Nolvadex dosage of 20-40mg daily.
In all studies related to Nolvadex dosage for stimulating endogenous testosterone production, only 20-40mg of Nolvadex daily was used, and indeed, doubling the dosage beyond 40mg daily has shown no significant difference in endogenous testosterone secretion.
The only reason many individuals use 40mg of Nolvadex daily for the first two weeks of a PCT program is to achieve peak plasma levels more quickly in an attempt to allow for a faster HPTA recovery.
A final note of caution regarding Nolvadex use during the PCT period involves the potential for a negative drug interaction if the aromatase inhibitors Letrozole and Arimidex are used concurrently with Nolvadex, as the two drugs can directly counter each other.
This can occur when using Arimidex and Nolvadex together, or when using Letrozole and Nolvadex together.
One study indicated that when using Letrozole or Arimidex concurrently with Nolvadex, Nolvadex was found to reduce the plasma concentrations of not only Letrozole but also Arimidex [5].
This issue does not appear with Aromasin (Exemestane).
Therefore, if one wishes to include aromatase inhibitor use in a PCT protocol, the only ideal AI that should be selected for use alongside Nolvadex is Aromasin (Exemestane).
Proper Nolvadex Administration and Timing
There is nothing particularly special to consider regarding Nolvadex administration.
It can be taken before, with, or after meals.
It can also be taken in the morning or at night.
Because Nolvadex has a long half-life of 5-7 days (with some reports even extending it to 14 days), it is preferable to take the entire dose at once rather than splitting it up throughout the day.
Expectations and Results from Nolvadex Use
Nolvadex is an excellent solution for gynecomastia issues, both as a preventative measure and as a treatment for initial gynecomastia onset.
It also serves as an impressive stimulant of endogenous testosterone production, making it ideal for proper hormonal recovery after an anabolic steroid cycle.
Medical References
[1] Treatment of pubertal gynecomastia with tamoxifen. 1987 Nov-Dec;199(6):389-91.
[2] Influence of tamoxifen, aminoglutethimide and goserelin on human plasma IGF-I levels in breast cancer patients. Lien EA, Johannessen DC, Aakvaag A, Lønning PE. 1992 Mar;41(3-8):541-3.
[3] Activation of the somatotropic axis by testosterone in adult males: evidence for the role of aromatization. Weissberger AJ, Ho KK. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1993 Jun;76(6):1407-12.
[4] Hormonal effects of an antiestrogen, tamoxifen, in normal and oligospermic men. Vermeulen A, Comhaire F. Fertil Steril. 1978 Mar;29(3):320-7.
[5] Comparative clinical pharmacology and pharmacokinetic interactions of aromatase inhibitors. 2001 Dec;79(1-5):85-91, Boeddinghaus IM, Dowsett M. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol.
