Aromasin (exemestane)

Exemestane is a steroidal suicide aromatase inhibitor. It isvery similar in structure and action to formestane, although it is significantly more potent in comparison. As a class of drugs, aromatase inhibitors offer an anti estrogenic effect by blocking the enzyme responsible for synthesizing estrogens. Exemestane is approved by the FDA for the treatment of breast cancer in women, specifically in post menopausal patients whose cancer has progressed following therapy with tamoxifen (nolvadex). Male bodybuilders and athletes often use the drug for non approved purposes, namely to counter the estrogenic side effects associated with the use of aromatizable anabolic/androgenic steroids. This may include gynecomastia, fat buildup, and water retention. Exemestane is one of the most potent aromatase inhibitors presently available. The most commonly cited date reports a lowering of estrogen around 85% on average in clinical studies with women. Exemestane was developed by Pharmacia & Upjohn, which gained FDA approval for sale of the drug in late 1999. They introduced it under the Aromasin brand name in early 2000. Although the drug proved to be effective in doses as low as 2.5mg per day in some patients, the company developed it in a standard and near universally effective dosage of 25mg per tablet. The company has since introduced the drug to many other nations under the same trade name of Aromasin.

Aromasin, as it is most commonly called, is a very potent AI which works by blocking the aromatase enzyme in the body. This drug was originally developed to help fight breast cancer in women by reducing estrogen which some believe to aid in cancer cell growth. While not quite as strong as Letrozole, aromasin is considerably stronger than Anastrozole. Studies done with this substance typically show around an 85% reduction in estrogen levels in the body. This can be very useful to bodybuilders who are using aromatizing compounds such as testosterone. Typically, one will begin the use of aromasin the same day they begin their cycle. It is also important to note that Aromasin has shown to be very effective at increasing testosterone and IGF levels in the body. Because of this, this drug is also very useful during PCT regime when one is trying to restore natural testosterone levels in order to avoid a post cycle "crash". It is important to keep doses of aromasin reasonable, as too much estrogen suppression can result in hindered muscle gains and loss of sex drive. One 25mg tablet a day should be sufficient for effectively keeping estrogen related sides out of the picture, or for effectively raising natural testosterone levels during PCT.

Exemestane reaches peak plasma concentrations within 2 hours following the oral administration of a 25 mg dose. The active life of the drug is between 24 and 30 hours. This is significant since it is quite shorter than for the non-steroidal inhibitors. A single oral dose of 25 milligrams of exemestane causes a relatively long-lasting reduction in plasma and urinary estrogen levels, with maximal suppression occurring approximately 2 to 3 days after dosing and persists for about 4 to 5 days.It has been shown that 25 milligrams of exemestane is basically just as effective as 50 milligrams at suppressing estrogen, raising testosterone levels, and levels of IGF. It is therefore unnecessary to go higher in doses than 25 milligrams per day. Due to the active life of the compound exemestane should be administered roughly once every twenty-four hours. Users often start the drug on the first or second week of steroid use and continue to take it throughout the cycle and for a few weeks afterwards in order to prevent any type of estrogen rebound.