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by Bill Roberts - Cytadren, at moderate doses,
is a fairly effective
inhibitor of aromatase and a weak inhibitor
of desmolase (an enzyme needed for the production
of all steroids), and at higher doses becomes an
effective inhibitor of desmolase. It is therefore
useful when using aromatizable steroids, though
it is not the drug of choice for this purpose.
Inhibition of desmolase -- the undesired side
effect of Cytadren -- will lead, at least temporarily,
to decreased production of cortisol. Contrary to
the other claims, there is no evidence, nor good
reason to believe, that reducing cortisol below
normal would be of benefit to the weight training
athlete, and considerable evidence that it is a
bad idea. Thus, desmolase inhibition is to be avoided.
The claim that Cytadren significantly inhibits
natural production of testosterone is not correct.
The desmolase step is rate limiting for the production
of cortisol, but not for testosterone: thus, a slowing
of desmolase activity does not slow production of
testosterone significantly. However, the conclusion
that natural athletes should not use Cytadren is
correct, but for a different reason. Natural athletes
have no need of the antiaromatase activity, and
the anti-desmolase activity, reducing cortisol below
normal, is not desirable. It would only be desirable
if cortisol levels were abnormally high, which should
not be the case.
The claim that 2-4 tablets per day (500-1000
mg) should be taken is extraordinarily bad advice.
I do not believe that more than 250 mg/day should
be taken, and that should be taken very carefully,
divided into 125 mg (half a tab) in the morning,
and 62.5 mg (quarter tab) six and twelve hours after
that. The two days on on, two days off idea is also
not a good one, since that gives no antiaromatase
activity half of the time.
It has been demonstrated that 250 mg/day is not
much less effective than 1000 mg/day in inhibiting
aromatase, but the smaller dose results in much
less desmolase inhibition.
If desmolase has been substantially inhibited
and then this is suddenly discontinued, cortisol
rebound occurs. While the dosing protocol given
above generally allows the user to stop "cold turkey,"
since desmolase inhibition is low, tapering down
is nonetheless a good idea, and is in fact necessary
if, inadvisedly, doses higher than recommended were
used.
Arimidex (anastrozole)
is a superior drug and should be used instead of
Cytadren if it is available and the user can afford
it.
Aminoglutethimide is
the chemical name of active ingredient in Cytadren.
Cytadren is a registered trademark
of Novartis Pharmaceuticals in the United States
and/or other countries.
Cytadren Resources
Download Cytadren Package Insert
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