Pharmaceutical Name:	Tamoxifen
Chemical Name:	Tamoxifen Citrate
Presentation:	20 mg capsules – 50 capsules per pouch
Estrogenic Activity:	Low
Progestational Activity:	None
The drug is technically an estrogen agonist/antagonist, which competitively binds to estrogen receptors in various target tissues. With the tamoxifen molecule bound to the receptor, estrogen is blocked from exerting any action and an antiestrogenic effect is achieved. A typical dosage for men is in the range of 10 to 30mg, the chosen amount obviously dependent on the level of effect desired. When looking for a stronger antiestrogenic affect, Proviron can make a good adjunct to Tamoxifen. A daily intake of 20-30mg Tamoxifen and 25-50mg Proviron can be extremely effective when dealing with strong estrogenic cycle. Tamoxifen is certainly the most popular antiestrogen used by athletes today, no doubt because it is simply an effective product.

 

This drug is used as a first line defense against breast cancer. In the late 80´s, Dan Duchaine speculated that it could also be used by bodybuilders to halt the development of another type of tumor in the mammary gland, Gynocomastia. He introduced this find to the Steroid-using-community in his "Contest Prep" issue of the UnderGround Steroid Handbook Update Newsletters (the contest prep-issue was actually 3 issues in one, for those who had a subscription to the newsletter).
Tamoxifen Citrate ( Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ) ) is commonly referred to in quite a few ways: as a SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator), as an anti-estrogen (that is actually incorrect, as we will later see), and finally as a triphenylethylene. I happen to stick with calling Tamoxifen Citrate ( Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ) ) a SERM, because out of my three options, it happens to be correct (as we know that calling it an anti-estrogen is incorrect), and pronouncable (as we know that I have no idea how to say "triphenylethylene"). Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) act as either estrogen receptor agonists or antagonists in a tissue-selective manner, lets see what that means to us&
Tamoxifen Citrate ( Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ) ) actually has quite a few applications for the steroid using athlete. First and foremost, it´s most common use is for the prevention of gynocomastia. Tamoxifen Citrate ( Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ) ) does this by actually competing for the receptor site in breast tissue, and binding to it. Thus, we can safely say that the effect of tamoxifen is through estrogen receptor blockade of breast tissue (1), especially since total body estradiol increases with use of tamoxifen. Clearly, if you are on a cycle which includes steroids which convert to estrogen, you may want to consider Tamoxifen Citrate ( Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ) ) as a good choice to run along side them.

Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ), however, is not the most potent ancillary compound we can use on a cycle, but it is probably the safest considering it doesn´t actually reduce estrogen in your body keeping some estrogen floating around could have many benefits on muscle growth, as well. Estrogen is also important for a properly functioning immune system, and not only that, but your lipid profile (both HDL and LDL) should also show marked improvement with administration of tamoxifen (4). Many bodybuilders actually use this stuff during their cycle for the health benefits provided by it. If, however, you are preparing for a bodybuilding contest, you need to use something which will suck most (if not all) of the estrogen out of your body. I am speculating that you may be able to use Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ) for the majority of a contest prep cycle, to keep yourself relatively healthy, and then switch over to Letrozole for the last 8 weeks.
Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ) also has some important features for the steroid using athlete. In hypogonadic and infertile men given Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ), increases in the serum levels of LH, FSH, and most importantly, testosterone were all observed (2)(3). The best (rough) estimate I can give you from my research is that 20mgs of Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ) will raise your testosterone levels about 150% (5)...and this would of course greatly aid post-cycle-recovery. What this means to us is that if you take Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ) after a cycle, when you are trying to raise your levels of testosterone, LH, and FSH back to normal, it will greatly aid recovery. In fact, if I were limited to just one compound to aid me in post-cycle-recovery, Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ) would be my choice. If you want a comparison, it would require 150mgs of Clomid to accomplish that type of elevation in testosterone, but Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ) also significantly increased the LH (Leutenizing Hormone) response to LHRL (5), after 6 weeks.
Some of the more harsh ancillary compounds available today will give you a more "dry" look that Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ) can´t, but Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ) is simply safer to use in long (over 16 week) cycles.

 

Unfortunately, Tamoxifen Citrate ( Nolvadex ) isn´t perfect. Anecdotally, it has been linked to reduced gains in some bodybuilders. This isn´t due, as previously thought, to its reducing estrogen levels (which it doesn´t), but rather to it´s ability to possibly reduce IGF (Insulin-like-Growth-Factor) levels, which are important for muscle growth.

1. Klin Padiatr. 1987 Nov-Dec;199(6):389-91.
2. Stimulation of calcitonin secretory capacity by increased serum levels of testosterone in men treated with tamoxifen. Int J Androl. 1987 Dec;10(6):747-51.
3. Hormonal changes in tamoxifen treated men with idiopathic oligozoospermia Exp Clin Endocrinol. 1988 Dec;92(2):211-6.
4. 2 Bruning PF, Bronfer JMG, Hart AAM, Jong-Bakker M, tamoxifen, serum lipoproteins and cardiovascular risk, Br. J. Cancer 1988 Oct, 58 (4) 497-9
5. Fertil Steril. 1978 Mar;29(3):320-7.