Toremifene Citrate

Fareston (Toremifene Citrate, known in bodybuilding circles as "torem") is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) derived from triphenylethylene. It is FDA approved for breast cancer treatment, and has possible medical uses for prostate cancer. Bodybuilders will use this drug to combat gynecomastia (bitch tits), but it's still very new to the scene and has some drawbacks.

Fig 1. Fareston (toremifen)

History

Fareston was patented by the Orion Corporation of Finland, and it was approved to treat breast cancer in Europe in the mid 1990's. Roberts Pharma markets the drug in the USA, starting in 1999.

SERMS and Gyno Killer

When a bodybuilder uses anabolic steroids, their LH and FSH drop to near 0. As their pituitary glands will go dormant, they will cease producing testosterone. This is called 'suppression' or 'shutdown'. This will occur with any anabolic steroid cycle and is completely normal.

After their cycle is complete and the steroid esters start to clear the system, a post cycle therapy (PCT) is done to help get the pituitary glands running again. SERM's work by blocking estrogen going into the pituitary glands, which cause a rise in LH and testosterone levels, temporarily. This helps give a boost after cycle, and it helps maintain gains.

Another benefit to this drug is its gyno fighting abilities. When scientists developed fareston, they noticed it caused 60% of breast cancer cell cultures to exhibit apoptosis, or "programmed death.” Therefore, in theory, someone with gynecomastia would have the same type of result. Not only will it kill existing gyno, but it prevents the cells from progressing.

Fareston has not been used much in the bodybuilding world because it is so new, but there is another reason rarely discussed. There is some evidence that it can hurt free testosterone levels.

SHBG and Free testosterone

Unfortunately, fareston has been shown in studies to raise SHBG; thus, decreasing 'free' testosterone levels. SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) is a protein that binds to sex steroids, and renders them inactive, for as long as SHBG is bound to them. There is a difference between 'free' testosterone and 'bound' testosterone. Free testosterone is what matters, so the higher you can get that relative to total testosterone, the more benefits you can expect. This makes fareston inferior to other SERM's like tamoxifen citrate (nolvadex).

Fig 2. Tamoxifen vs. Toremifene

IGF-1

IGF-1 is a very important anabolic hormone in the body, which helps bodybuilders grow more muscle. We know that nolvadex will somewhat negatively impact IGF-1 levels during use. However, fareston is thought to not effect IGF-1, so in this retrospect it is superior to nolvadex.

Side Effects

Side effects are typically low with fareston, but can include:

• Sweating
• Nausea
• Mood swings
• Vision problems
• Dry eyes
• Swelling of legs and hands
• Rash

Dosages

For bodybuilding purposes, a dose of 40-60mgs per day seems to be a good starting point. If the user is trying to fight existing gynecomastia (bitch tits), they may choose to double the dose and add an aromatase inhibitor like Aromasin with it. For PCT, some users will kick-start with 100-120mgs per day and then lower to 40-60mgs per day for 4-6 weeks.

Half Life

The half life of fareston is around 5 days, which is approximately the same as clomid and nolvadex.
Forums

Want to read about Toremifene on our forums? check out these threads:

References

• Toremifene citrate
• Efficacy and safety of high dose NK 622 (toremifene citrate) in tamoxifen failed patients with breast cancer
• Toremifene citrate (Fareston)
• Toremifene
• Toremifene for breast cancer: a review of 20 years of data
• Efficacy and tolerability of weekly paclitaxel in combination with high-dose toremifene citrate in patients with metastatic breast cancer