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Price: 28 tabs x 1 mg - $250
Armidex ®
(generic name is anastrozole) is a very new drug developed for
the treatment of advanced breast cancer in women. It is
manufactured by Zenica Pharmaceuticals and was approved for use
in the United States at the end of December 1995. Specifically,
Armidex (anastrozole) ® is the first in a new class
of third-generation selective oral aromatase inhibitors.
Armidex (anastrozole) acts by blocking the
enzyme aromatase, subsequently blocking the production of
estrogen. Since many forms of breast cancer cells are stimulated
by estrogen, it is hoped that by reducing amounts of estrogen in
the body the progression of such a disease can be halted.
Armidex (anastrozole) is the basic premise behind Nolvadex
®, except this drug blocks the action and not production of
estrogen. The effects of Armidex (anastrozole) ® can be quite dramatic to say the least. A daily
Armidex (anastrozole)'s dose
of one tablet (1 mg) can produce estrogen suppression greater
than 80 % in treated patients. With the powerful effect
Armidex (anastrozole) has on hormone levels, it is only to be used (clinically)
by post-menopausal women whose disease has progressed following
treatment with Nolvadex ® (tamoxifen citrate). Side effects
of Armidex (anastrozole) like
hot flushes and hair thinning can be present, and would no doubt
be much more severe in pre-menopausal patients.
For the roids
using male athlete, Armidex (anastrozole) ® shows great potential. Up to this
point, drugs like Nolvadex ® and Proviron
® have been our weapons against excess estrogen. These
drugs, especially in combination, do prove quite effective. But
Armidex (anastrozole) ® appears able to do the
job much more efficiently, and with less hassle. Its use is only
now catching on, but early reports have been excellent. A single
tablet daily of
Armidex (anastrozole), the same dose use clinically, seems to be all one
needs for an exceptional effect (some even report excellent
results with only 2 tablet daily). When used with strong,
readily aromatizing androgens such as Dianabol or testosterone,
gynecomastia and water retention can be effectively blocked. In
combination with Propecia ® (finasteride, see Proscar
®), we have
a great advance. With the one drug halting estrogen conversion
and the other blocking 5-alpha reduction (testosterone,
methyltestosterone and Halotestin ® only), related side effects
can be effectively minimized. Here the strong androgen
testosterone could theoretically provide incredible muscular
growth, while at the same time being as tolerable as nandrolone.
Additionally the quality of the muscle should be greater, the
athlete appearing harder and much more defined without holding
excess water.
There are some
concerns with using an aromatase inhibitor such as this during
prolonged roids treatment however. While it will effectively
reduce estrogenic side effects,
Armidex (anastrozole) will also block the
beneficial properties of estrogen from becoming apparent (namely
its effect on cholesterol values). Studies have clearly shown
that when an aromatase inhibitor is used in conjunction with a
roids such as testosterone, suppression of HDL (good)
cholesterol becomes much more pronounced. Apparently estrogen
plays a role in minimizing the negative impact of roids use.
Since the estrogen receptor antagonist Nolvadex
® is shown not to
display an antiestrogenic effect on cholesterol values, it is
certainly the preferred from of estrogen maintenance for those
concerned with cardiovascular health.
Armidex
(anastrozole)
has another principle drawback, namely the great price of this
drug. Tablets can easily sell for $10 each, becoming quite
costly with regular use. I am currently looking at the product
list of a reliable European anabolics dealer, who sells Armidex
(anastrozole)
in packages of 28 tablets for $250. Clearly the price of an
ancillary drug can be much greater than the roids themselves,
a situation destined not to be popular with recreational
bodybuilders. Competitors on the other hand are likely to
welcome this item. It can ward off the side effects of strong
androgen therapy much better than Nolvadex or Proviron
,
making heavy cycles much more comfortable. As the number of
countries manufacturing Armidex (anastrozole) increases, we may be able to
look forward to a reduction in price. On a list from a Greek
supplier (a country where drugs are government subsidized) for
example, the price was nearly $100 better per box. Privately
compounded versions of liquid Armidex (anastrozole) have also been
formulated "for research purposes" and are currently circulating
the black market. They contain a high concentration of
Armidex (1 mg to 4mg/ml) in a liquid solution, which can be
used orally, and represent very cost-effective alternatives for
buying the brand name drug (typically selling for $5 per
milligram or less). |
