Among the non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors, the drug Letrozole has gained wide popularity among athletes. The product is in demand in 65 countries. It blocks aromatase enzymes. The drug is actively used by athletes and bodybuilders.
Letrozole is widely used as an adjunct during a steroid cycle to achieve a decrease in estrogen concentrations, as well as to increase the hormone testosterone. The product is one of the best among its kind. This makes the drug very popular among bodybuilders.
Conducted studies have proven the high effectiveness of Letrozole. Estrogen concentration drops to 97%. This result can only be achieved when high doses are taken. Using the recommended amount allows you to reduce estrogen to 76 or 79%. This is also a very good result.
Due to the low concentration of estrogen, the occurrence of side effects when taking steroids is reduced. The use of the drug by bodybuilders helps increase the synthesis of globulin, follicle-stimulating luteinizing hormones, and testosterone.
Effects of taking
A non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor has the following effects on the athlete’s body:
- relieves negative side effects from estrogens, including acne, gynecomastia, fullness, subcutaneous fat deposits;
- eliminates gynecomastia in any manifestations even at the initial stage of the course;
- helps preserve muscle mass from catabolism after stopping the drug, which often happens when stopping steroids.
The use of Letrozole is advisable when taking a course of androgens and anabolic steroids.
Letrozole, 30 pcs., 2.5 mg, film-coated tablets
As a rule, adverse reactions were mild or moderate and were mainly associated with suppression of estrogen synthesis.
The incidence of adverse reactions is estimated as follows: very common - >10%, often - 1-10%, sometimes - 0.1-1%, rare - 0.01-0.1%, very rare - <0.01 %, including individual messages.
From the digestive system:
often - nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, constipation, diarrhea; sometimes - abdominal pain, stomatitis, dry mouth, increased activity of liver enzymes.
From the nervous system:
often - headache, dizziness, depression; sometimes - anxiety, nervousness, irritability, drowsiness, insomnia, memory impairment, dysesthesia, paresthesia, hypoesthesia, impaired taste perception, episodes of cerebrovascular accident.
From the hematopoietic organs:
sometimes - leukopenia.
From the cardiovascular system:
sometimes - palpitations, tachycardia, thrombophlebitis of superficial and deep veins, increased blood pressure, coronary artery disease (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, heart failure), thromboembolism; rarely - pulmonary embolism, arterial thrombosis, stroke.
From the respiratory system:
sometimes - shortness of breath, cough.
From the skin and skin appendages:
often - alopecia, increased sweating, skin rash (including erythematous, maculopapular, vesicular rash, psoriasis-like rash); sometimes - itching, dry skin, urticaria; very rarely - angioedema, anaphylactic reactions.
From the musculoskeletal system:
very often - arthralgia; often - myalgia, bone pain, osteoporosis, bone fractures, sometimes - arthritis.
From the senses:
sometimes - cataracts, eye irritation, blurred vision, impaired taste.
From the urinary system:
sometimes - frequent urination, urinary tract infections.
From the reproductive system:
sometimes - vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge, vaginal dryness, pain in the mammary glands.
Other:
very often - paroxysmal sensations of heat (hot flashes); often - increased fatigue, asthenia, malaise, peripheral edema, weight gain, hypercholesterolemia, anorexia, increased appetite; sometimes - weight loss, thirst, hyperthermia (pyrexia), dry mucous membranes, generalized edema, pain in tumor foci.
How to take it correctly
Bodybuilders are recommended to take about 1-3 milligrams per day at absolutely any time. Daily consumption of even 100 micrograms can significantly slow down the effect of the aromatase enzyme. Recommended dosages should not be exceeded. Otherwise, the chance of developing negative consequences, especially a decrease in sexual desire, increases sharply.
The daily dose for each bodybuilder is always selected individually. It all depends on the experience, age of the athlete, duration of use of a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor, but should not exceed the optimal 1-3 milligrams. A specialist will help you calculate the exact amount of the drug. It is recommended to consult a doctor before using any pharmaceuticals. Long-term use of the drug allows you to slightly adjust the regimen for taking this substance and use the drug not daily, but every other day.
Letrozole on PCT (post-cycle therapy)
The Letrozole course suggests using the drug in variable dosages. They can change quite a lot. During post-cycle therapy, the norm remains unchanged. It is recommended to take the standard 2.5 milligrams per day for a week or 10 days, and then reduce the dosage to 0.5 milligrams over the next two or three weeks.
Iron Health
Letrozole is a drug in the class of aromatase blockers (inhibitors) that helps reduce estrogen levels in the body and increase testosterone and gonadotropin hormone levels.
Analogues of Letrozole:
- Letroza
- Letromara (farmak)
- Estrolet
Other drugs in the class of aromatase blockers (inhibitors) (comparable in effectiveness):
- Anastrozole
- Exemestane (Aromasin)
Use of Letrozole in bodybuilding
- Treatment and prevention of gynecomastia
- Increased levels of anabolic hormones in the blood
- Decrease in estrogen levels in the blood
- Preventing Hypertension
- Improving muscle quality (by suppressing the action of estrogen)
Dosage and course of taking Letrozole
- For preventive action (in bodybuilding): 0.5 mg (1/5 tablet) every other day.
- For the treatment of gynecomastia: 2.5 mg every day until symptoms disappear, then 0.5 mg every other day.
When taking anabolic steroids, it is necessary to test for estradiol after about 10 days of taking steroids with a short half-life (testosterone propionate, methandrostenolone), or after 3-4 weeks of introducing long esters (enanthate, sustanon, cypionate). Then take Letrozole 0.5 mg every other day. After 10 days, take an additional test for estradiol and adjust the dosage based on the results.
You can also adjust the dose of Letrozole based on your subjective feelings - if you experience a drop in libido, erectile dysfunction, or depression while taking the drug, you should reduce the dosage. Side effects of Letrozole
In itself, the presence of estrogens in the male body is not negative - on the contrary, moderate amounts of female hormones are beneficial - they increase the sensitivity of androgen receptors, have an anabolic and protective effect. Therefore, excessive estrogen suppression is harmful.
Thus, excessive dosages of Letrozole may have the following side effects:
- Slow muscle growth
- Joint pain
- Decreased bone strength
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Drop in libido
- Depression
- Deterioration of general condition
Letrozole is contraindicated in cases of severe liver dysfunction.
Side effects of Letrozole:
- Tides
- Dryness of the mucous membranes of the urogenital area
- Hair thinning
- Liver dysfunction
- Appearance of rash, acne
- Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Kidney failure (especially rare cases)
- Exacerbation of peptic ulcer
- Bloody vaginal discharge
- Leukorrhea
- Sweating
- Dyspnea
- Thrombophlebitis
Important! When using any pharmacological agents, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
Possible side effects
The drug may cause:
- headache;
- nausea;
- joint pain;
- increase in body temperature;
- strong feeling of weakness;
- baldness;
- attacks of dizziness;
- high pressure.
Such negative phenomena appear only when an athlete exceeds the recommended dosage of the drug. If you follow the instructions, there will be no side effects.
Letrozole
As a rule, adverse reactions were mild or moderate and were mainly associated with suppression of estrogen synthesis. The incidence of adverse reactions is assessed as follows: occurring “very often” -> 10%, “common” -> 1 - <10%, “infrequently” ->0.1% - <1%, “rarely” -> 0, 01 - <0.1%, "very rare" - <0.01%, including individual messages.
Infectious and parasitic diseases:
infrequently - urinary tract infections.
Benign, malignant and unspecified neoplasms (including cysts and polyps)
: uncommon - pain in the area of the tumor.
Blood and lymphatic system disorders:
infrequently - leukopenia.
Immune system disorders:
frequency unknown - anaphylactic reactions.
Metabolic and nutritional disorders:
very often - hypercholesterolemia; often - anorexia, increased appetite.
Mental disorders:
often - depression; infrequently - anxiety (including nervousness), irritability.
Nervous system disorders:
often - headache, dizziness; uncommon - drowsiness, insomnia, memory impairment, sensory disturbances (including paresthesia, hypoesthesia), taste disturbances, episodes of cerebrovascular accidents, carpal tunnel syndrome.
Visual disorders:
uncommon - cataracts, eye irritation, blurred vision.
Heart disorders
: uncommon - palpitations*, tachycardia, coronary heart disease (including newly diagnosed or worsening existing angina, angina requiring surgical intervention, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia).
Vascular disorders:
very often - paroxysmal sensations of heat (“hot flashes”); often - increased blood pressure (BP); uncommon - thrombophlebitis (including thrombophlebitis of superficial and deep veins); rarely - pulmonary embolism, arterial thrombosis, stroke.
Disorders of the respiratory system, chest and mediastinal organs:
infrequently - dyspnea, cough.
Gastrointestinal disorders:
often - nausea*, vomiting, dyspepsia, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain; infrequently - stomatitis, dry mouth.
Disorders of the liver and biliary tract:
infrequently - increased activity of liver enzymes; very rarely - hepatitis.
Disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissues:
very often - increased sweating; often - alopecia, dry skin, rash (including erythematous, maculopapular, psoriasiform and vesicular); infrequently - skin itching, urticaria; frequency unknown - angioedema, Lyell's syndrome (toxic epidermal necrolysis), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (malignant polymorphic exudative erythema).
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders:
very often - arthralgia; often - myalgia, bone pain*, osteoporosis, bone fractures; infrequently - arthritis; frequency unknown - trigger finger syndrome.
Renal and urinary tract disorders:
infrequently - frequent urination.
Disorders of the genital organs and mammary glands:
often - vaginal bleeding; uncommon - vaginal discharge, vaginal dryness, pain in the mammary glands.
General disorders and disorders at the injection site:
very often - increased fatigue (including asthenia and discomfort); often - peripheral edema; infrequently generalized edema, dry mucous membranes, thirst, fever.
Laboratory and instrumental data:
often - weight gain; infrequently - weight loss.
* - adverse reactions detected in the metastatic period.
Selected adverse reactions
Adverse reactions from the heart
With adjuvant therapy with Letrozole for 5 years, compared with placebo therapy for 3 years, the following adverse reactions were noted: angina pectoris requiring surgical intervention occurred in 0.8% of cases and in 0.6% of cases, respectively; coronary heart disease (including newly diagnosed or worsening existing angina) - in 1.4% and 1.0% of cases, respectively; myocardial infarction - in 1.0% and 0.7% of cases, respectively; thromboembolic events - in 0.9% and 0.3% of cases, respectively; stroke/transient ischemic attack - in 1.5% and 0.8% of cases, respectively.
Adverse reactions from the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
With adjuvant therapy with Letrozole for 5 years, compared with placebo therapy for 3 years, the following adverse reactions were observed: bone fractures - in 10.4% and 5.8% of cases, respectively; osteoporosis - in 12.2% and 6.4% of cases, respectively.
If any of the side effects indicated in the instructions get worse, or you notice any other side effects not listed in the instructions, tell your doctor.
