Arimidex is an oral anti-estrogen medication that contains 1 mg of Anastrozole in each tablet.
It functions as an effective aromatase inhibitor by inhibiting the aromatase enzyme in the body, thereby reducing the accumulation of estrogen. This has clear advantages for bodybuilders who utilize aromatizing steroids like testosterone, as they may encounter estrogen-related side effects, including water retention and "gyno." However, by taking Anastrozole during their cycle, the likelihood of experiencing these side effects significantly decreases.
Research indicates that Arimidex can lower estrogen levels in the body by approximately 50%. This reduction is beneficial for bodybuilders since a certain level of estrogen is necessary to maximize the anabolic effects of the steroids being utilized. Typically, the results are similar with both a daily dosage of 0.5 mg and 1 mg, suggesting that in most situations, half a tablet per day is adequate for managing estrogen levels throughout the cycle.
Bodybuilders generally start taking Arimidex on the first day of their cycle and continue to do so for the entire duration of steroid use. It's also worth noting that Anastrozole can enhance testosterone levels in the body; some studies report a rise of up to 60% in natural testosterone after just seven days of use. Because of this effect, bodybuilders find Arimidex particularly useful during post-cycle therapy (PCT) as they aim to boost their natural testosterone levels to avoid a post-cycle "crash."
It's typically advised that after stopping steroid use, Anastrozole should be continued throughout the PCT period, which lasts around 4-6 weeks.