What is Anastrozole (Arimidyn)?
Anastrozole (Arimidyn) is a powerful, highly selective drug of the third generation. It is classified as a non-steroidal anti-aromatase medication. It was initially developed as an antineoplastic drug. Nowadays, it’s an effective oncology medication and is commonly used for breast cancer treatment. It’s scientifically approved that the drug is highly effective in fighting malignant breast tumors.
However, the medication is also applied to men’s therapy. In men’s bodies, the drug causes the reduction of the estrogen level in the blood. The accumulation of excessive estrogen in the body can lead to unpleasant side effects, including suppression of luteinizing hormone secretion, and subsequently, reduced testosterone production. The medication is able to prevent aromatization, which leads to an increase in the level of men’s testosterone and gonadotropic hormones.
Mechanism of Action
Conversion of Testosterone to Estrogen
Testosterone is the main hormone in men’s bodies. However, it can be converted into estrogen under certain physical conditions occurring in the body. This process is called aromatization. The aromatase enzyme that is found in different tissues including adipose tissue, liver, and brain can simplify this process. The aromatization process implies the conversion of the androgen (testosterone) into an estrogen (estradiol) under the influence of the aromatase enzyme. As a result of this reaction, the aromatization of the A-ring of the steroid structure of testosterone takes place, which leads to the formation of estradiol.
Substrate: Testosterone Enzyme: Aromatase → Product: Estradiol
This conversion is vital for both men and women to maintain the balance of sex hormones. However, if the conversion pace is increased, this can result in elevated estrogen levels. A too-high level of estrogen can cause such side effects, as gynecomastia, water retention, and suppression of endogenous testosterone production. Thus, Anastrozole comes as an effective anti-estrogen remedy.
Action of Anastrozole
Anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor, which means that it suppresses the action of the aromatase enzyme. Thus, the medication helps prevent testosterone from converting into estradiol and control the optimal level of hormones in the body. This is how it works:
- Aromatase suppression. By penetrating the body, Anastrozole creates a connection with the aromatase enzyme. This connection suppresses aromatase activity and prevents the conversion of testosterone into estradiol. Thus, the remedy blocks the enzyme effectively, which reduces the production of estrogen from androgens.
- Reduction of estrogen level. When aromatase is suppressed, the level of circulating estradiol is reduced significantly. This feature acts favorably for patients who use anabolic steroids or undergo testosterone replacement therapy due to the maintenance of a high ratio of testosterone to estrogen.
- Feedback mechanism. The reduction in estradiol levels leads to the weakening of the impact on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. This effect results in increased secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones stimulate the testes to produce more testosterone, which eventually results in enhancing the levels of endogenous testosterone.
Importance of Blood Analysis
Patients should constantly monitor blood tests when taking anabolic steroids. Regular examinations help maintain an optimal hormone balance and prevent severe side effects. Thus, consumers of anabolic supplements should pass medical tests regularly to measure both estradiol and testosterone levels and ensure their optimal ratio.
Regular Estradiol tests:
- Frequency. If patients take anabolic steroids with a short half-life (e.g., testosterone propionate, methandrostenolone), they should pass blood tests every 10–14 days. If they take long esters such as enanthate, sustanon, or cypionate, the frequency of medical examinations is 3–4 weeks.
- Target estradiol values. Men who table anabolic supplements should have the optimal range of the estradiol level within 10 to 40 pg/mL. Keeping the estradiol level within this range ensures a low likelihood of side effects. However, the hormone level will be within the norm for maintaining optimal physiological functions.
Regular Testosterone tests:
- Frequency. The frequency of passing medical blood tests for testosterone is the same as for estradiol. Patients should take a blood test each 10–14 days for short half-life products and 3–4 weeks for long esters.
- Target testosterone values. Values may vary, but for most men who take anabolic steroids, the optimal range should be within 600–1500 ng/dL. The preservation of the hormone within this range minimizes the probability of side effects, but the maximum efficacy from taking steroid pills is still achieved.
Dosage Adjustment Based on Test Results
The intake of 1 mg of Anastrozole per day helps decrease the estradiol level by 80%. Moreover, a decrease of 98,1% was observed during experimental studies. The minimum consumption dosage starts from Anastrozole 0.5 mg every second day. However, the frequency of medication intake can increase if aromatization is strong. The dosage is appointed, based on blood test results.
Initial dosage:
Start with an average dosage of Anastrozole at 0.5 mg every other day.
First control analysis:
- Measure estradiol and testosterone levels.
- If the estradiol value is above 40 pg/mL, increase the dosage of Anastrozole by 0.5 mg (up to 1 mg every other day).
- If the estradiol value is below 10 pg/mL, decrease the dosage of Anastrozole by 0.5 mg twice per week or take it only once per week. In some cases, people do not need aromatase inhibitors at all. However, the only way to find out for sure is to do blood tests. Make conclusions only based on medical test results.
Subsequent analyses:
- Keep monitoring the levels of estradiol and testosterone every 10–14 days for short-lived steroids and 3–4 weeks for long esters.
- Based on blood tests, find out the optimal amount of Anastrozole for your body and keep maintaining the hormone value within the norm.
- Make sure that the testosterone level is within the target range. If not, adjust the dosage.
Practical considerations:
- Over-suppression of estrogen. If the dosage is chosen incorrectly and is too high, this will lead to over-suppression of the hormone. This case increases the risk of side effect emergence. Thus, patients may feel joint pain, decreased bone density, and reduced libido. Regular blood test monitoring allows for identifying over-suppression timely and avoiding severe consequences.
- Testosterone fluctuations. Steroid cycles cause significant fluctuations in the testosterone level quite frequently. Regular testing and adjustments are required to maintain an optimal level and avoid imbalances.
Profile
- Half-life: 40–50 hours.
- Frequency of intake: once every 1–5 days.
Effects
- Prevention of gynecomastia.
- Increase in anabolic hormone levels in the blood.
- Enhanced muscle definition (by eliminating the negative effects of estrogen).
- Prevention of hypertension.
- Reduction in estrogenic suppression of the hypothalamus-pituitary-testes axis, leading to faster recovery.
Side Effects
- Inhibition of muscle growth.
- Arthralgia (joint pain).
- Decreased bone strength.
- Disruption of blood lipid profile (increased cholesterol).
- Decreased libido and general well-being.
- Depression.
How to Store?
- Keep away from children.
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
- Store at room temperature.
- Do not use it after the expiry date.
Why to Choose Us?
Driada Medical Store is an online pharmacy, where clients can find a wide range of generic pharmaceuticals and buy Anastrozole tablets without a prescription. However, we are not just “another online store with therapeutic medications”. We are a full-fledged healthcare portal for people who take care of their bodies and want to prolong their lives. We offer comprehensible assistance in interpreting medical test results, creating treatment cycles, etc. We are a community of people who are dedicated to a healthy lifestyle and want to ensure proper organism performance.
FAQ
What to avoid while taking Anastrozole?
It’s recommended to avoid taking herbal supplements, such as St John’s wort since they can interact and reduce the efficiency of Anastrozole intake. Smoking and alcohol drinking are also strictly forbidden.
What does blocking estrogen do to your body?
Estrogen blockage can be an effective treatment for cancer therapy and endocrine therapy. Such supplements are used by men to ensure the optimal balance of hormones in the body.
What is the life expectancy of Anastrozole patients?
Keeping the hormone level within the norm helps prolong life expectancy. Since estrogen blockers are used to normalize the balance between estrogen and testosterone levels, patients live longer than average people.
Do you feel better after stopping Anastrozole?
If hormone levels are within the norm, no worsening of the physical state and mood are observed.
Why would a woman take an estrogen blocker?
For women, estrogen blockers come as powerful fighters with oncology. Thus, it’s recommended to take the pharmaceutical supplement during menopause and the postmenopausal period.
Is Anastrozole bad for your heart?
Note that the medication may decrease blood flow to your heart. This case is especially relevant to patients with coronary artery disease (clogged arteries). Thus, it’s necessary to consult a pharmacist before taking the drug.
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