Tamoxifen citrate is a non-steroidal anti-estrogenic drug, used widely in clinical medicine. It is specifically a Selective Estrogen-Receptor Modulator (SERM) of the triphenylethylene family, and possesses both oestrogen agonist and antagonist properties. As such, it may act as an oestrogen in some tissues while blocking the action of oestrogen in others. In breast tissue tamoxifen citrate is a strong anti-oestrogen, and as a result it is commonly used in the treatment of hormone-responsive breast cancer in women. In some cases it is even utilized as a preventative measure, taken by women with an extremely high familial tendency for breast cancer. In male bodybuilders and athletes, tamoxifen citrate is commonly used (off-label) to counter the side effects caused by elevated oestrogens subsequent to the use of certain anabolic/androgenic steroids.
Therapeutic use:
The primary use for tamoxifen citrate is as a breast cancer treatment. It blocks the action of oestrogen that may make certain types of breast cancer worse. (MC)
Tamoxifen citrate is indicated for 1) the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in women and men; 2) adjuvant treatment of node-negative breast cancer following breast surgery and radiation; 3) adjuvant treatment of node-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women following breast surgery and radiation; 4) reduction in incidence of contralateral breast cancer (in the other breast) in the adjuvant setting; 5) reduction in incidence of invasive breast cancer in women with DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ) following breast surgery and radiation; and 6) reduction in incidence of breast cancer in women at high risk for breast cancer. In women and men with metastatic breast cancer, a dose of 10-20 mg is administered twice a day (morning and evening). When used by men (off-label) to mitigate the oestrogenic effects of anabolic/androgenic steroid use, a daily dosage of 10-30 mg (1-3 tablets) is usually administered while any offending steroids are taken, or as part of a comprehensive post-cycle hormone recovery program.
How it is used:
When used as part of a steroid cycle; it is most commonly used during the cycle in small doses (typically 10-20mg per day) to try and prevent gynaecomastia (how effective this is may depend on the steroid dose being used). It is also used in post cycle therapy (PCT) to help restore endogenous testosterone production. For this purpose, the most common protocol is 3-4 weeks of daily use, starting at 40mg per day in the first week and then reducing the dose each week down to 20 mg per day.
It should be noted there is very little clinical evidence to support this protocol. Women do not typically use this drug for physique or performance enhancing purposes.
