Cytadren (aminoglutethimide)

Cytadren effect and action

Cytadren, the U.S. brand name for the drug aminoglutethimide. Cytadren is an interesting non-steroidal compound first brought to our attention several years ago by the late Dan Duchaine. Cytadren is popular with some competitive athletes who are drug tested, as in many disciplines this substance is currently not banned or tested for. Cytadren inhibits the production of cortisol (by blocking the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone, this first step in its biosynthesis), the aromatization of androgens to estrogens and to a lesser degree the production of adrenal androgens. Its effect on cortisol production is what first brought Cytadren to the attention of athletes. For someone with normal cortisol levels, it is thought that a little less could actually be a good thing. This is because while androgens give your muscle cells a message to increase protein synthesis, cortisol in Cytadren (a catabolic hormone) gives the exact opposite message (to breakdown amino acids). Obviously this is a process we would wish to avoid, so the use of Cytadren was proposed. But since Cytadren also inhibits androgen production (to some extent), it was typically recommended that Cytadren be used by athletes with some form of testosterone. Together with even a relatively small dose, Cytadren was thought one could shift the ratio of anabolic to catabolic hormones well in favor of the former, the goal of course being new muscle growth. Cytadren is also known to inhibit the aromatase enzyme, giving it a very separate second use as an effective antiestrogen to use during heavier steroid cycles. As you will see, this trait may in fact prove to be the most important one to the athlete. Cytadren's action in this regard is course very similar to that of the new antiaromatase Arimidex, although Arimidex seems to do the job a bit more efficiently (however it is also the more costly option).

Cytadren and treatment of estrogen

Medically Cytadren is used to treat estrogen dependent breast cancer as well as Cushings syndrome, a condition in which the body overproduces cortisol. In these arenas effective dosing regimens are well documented. When first looked at in the realm of athletics however, research was bare as to the best way to use it as a cortisol lowering anti-catabolic. It was suggested after some thought that when used for this purpose a schedule of 2 days on and 2 days off would be effective. One thing is for certain, Cytadren cannot be taken daily if prolonged cortisol suppression were desired. Dubbed the adrenal escape phenomenon, it was shown that after a short period of regular use your body would react to the lowered cortisol levels and release increased amounts of another hormone, ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), in response. Increased ACTH will overcome the activity of Cytadren, resulting in your body resuming normal cortisol production (basically making the drug useless). When used medically a moderate amount of hydrocortisone is often supplemented to avoid this reaction. For athletes however, it was assumed that this would probably be a counterproductive practice. Thus the 2-day on 2 day off regime was implemented as another way to delay or even avoid this response. This is only a suggested practice, and as you will see is only relevant to its use as an anti-catabolic.

Some side effects of Cytadren

Cytadren is not without Cytadren's side effects and warnings which are numerous. To be very succinct, the side effects of Cytadren include, bu are not limited to, the already mentioned possibility of fatigue, as well as dizziness, sleep disorder, apathy depression, nausea/vomiting, stomach upset, thyroid dysfunction and liver disease. The few athletes to take Cytadren at dosage high enough to promote cortisol suppression additionally note that reduced levels of this hormone with Cytadren will bring about more aches and pains in your joints when trying to lift heavy. It seems logical that this could even lead to a greatly increased susceptibility to injury, so one should be careful not to overexert during the short periods in which Cytadren is used in high doses. Most of the listed side effects of Cytadren listed here are in fact related only to high dosed regimens that inhibit the adrenal production of cortisol, and are rarely ever reported with athletes taking one or two tablets per day in an effort to use the drug as an anti-estrogen.

Cytadren's price

Cytadren is an expensive pharmaceutical, selling for approximately $2 per tablet on the black market. This is probably the reason Cytadren's use has not become more widespread. This price of Cytadren is however still considerably less than what would be spent on the more recently developed antiaromatase Arimidex. Since Cytadren is not currently being counterfeited, all preparations seen on the black market could be considered a safe buy. Although Cytadren manufactured in the United States, the black market will generally carry the Orimeten brand name from Europe.

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