SERMs (PCT)
Nolvadex vs Clomid vs Enclomiphene
The table compares the compounds’ key data from their entry pages. Open each compound’s full entry for details. Educational content, not medical advice.
| Nolvadex (Tamoxifen) | Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) | Enclomiphene (Androxal) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Tamoxifen citrate, 1962 ICI Pharmaceuticals synthesis, FDA-approved (1977) for ER+ breast cancer. The AAS-PCT golden-standard SERM: pituitary ER-α blockade → LH/FSH disinhibition → endogenous testosterone recovery. 60+ years of clinical literature. | Clomiphene citrate, Merrell 1956 synthesis, FDA-approved (1967) for female infertility (ovulatory dysfunction). Racemic mixture (~62% zuclomiphene estrogenic + ~38% enclomiphene antiestrogenic). The latter is the PCT-active half. Off-label male hypogonadism + AAS-PCT secondary-standard SERM. | Pure trans-isomer of clomiphene – Repros Therapeutics 2014-2016 Phase III hypogonadism candidate. Cleaner SERM profile than Clomid (zuclomiphene-free), BUT FDA CRL 2016 → not approved. Available via US-compounding + EU research-pharm. |
| Mechanism | Non-steroidal SERM, ER-α competitive antagonist at pituitary + breast | Non-steroidal SERM, racemic mixture (62% zuclo + 38% enclo) | Pure trans-isomer clomiphene, ER-α antagonist at pituitary, NO zuclomiphene mood effect |
| Dosing (PCT) | 20-40 mg/day, 4-6 weeks | 50 mg/day × 1-2 weeks, then 25 mg/day × 2-4 weeks | — |
| Half-life | ~5-7 days (parent) / ~14 days (4-OH-tamoxifen active metabolite) | Zuclomiphene ~5-7 weeks accumulating / enclomiphene ~5 days | ~5 days (cleaner than Clomid mixed t1/2) |
| Onset | LH rise within 24-72 h, Test recovery 2-3 weeks | LH rise 5-10 days, Test recovery 3-4 weeks | LH rise 24-72 h, Test recovery 2-4 weeks |
| Legal status | FDA + EMA Rx, registered in HU + PL, WADA S4 (banned in-competition) | FDA + EMA Rx (female indication), off-label male hypogonadism, WADA S4 (banned) | NOT FDA-approved (CRL 2016), US-compounding + EU research-pharm + UGL |
| Dosing (PCT or hypogonadism) | — | — | 12.5-25 mg/day, morning |
| Full entry | Open → | Open → | Open → |
What it is
Nolvadex (Tamoxifen)Tamoxifen citrate, 1962 ICI Pharmaceuticals synthesis, FDA-approved (1977) for ER+ breast cancer. The AAS-PCT golden-standard SERM: pituitary ER-α blockade → LH/FSH disinhibition → endogenous testosterone recovery. 60+ years of clinical literature.
Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate)Clomiphene citrate, Merrell 1956 synthesis, FDA-approved (1967) for female infertility (ovulatory dysfunction). Racemic mixture (~62% zuclomiphene estrogenic + ~38% enclomiphene antiestrogenic). The latter is the PCT-active half. Off-label male hypogonadism + AAS-PCT secondary-standard SERM.
Enclomiphene (Androxal)Pure trans-isomer of clomiphene – Repros Therapeutics 2014-2016 Phase III hypogonadism candidate. Cleaner SERM profile than Clomid (zuclomiphene-free), BUT FDA CRL 2016 → not approved. Available via US-compounding + EU research-pharm.
Mechanism
Nolvadex (Tamoxifen)Non-steroidal SERM, ER-α competitive antagonist at pituitary + breast
Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate)Non-steroidal SERM, racemic mixture (62% zuclo + 38% enclo)
Enclomiphene (Androxal)Pure trans-isomer clomiphene, ER-α antagonist at pituitary, NO zuclomiphene mood effect
Dosing (PCT)
Nolvadex (Tamoxifen)20-40 mg/day, 4-6 weeks
Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate)50 mg/day × 1-2 weeks, then 25 mg/day × 2-4 weeks
Enclomiphene (Androxal)—
Half-life
Nolvadex (Tamoxifen)~5-7 days (parent) / ~14 days (4-OH-tamoxifen active metabolite)
Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate)Zuclomiphene ~5-7 weeks accumulating / enclomiphene ~5 days
Enclomiphene (Androxal)~5 days (cleaner than Clomid mixed t1/2)
Onset
Nolvadex (Tamoxifen)LH rise within 24-72 h, Test recovery 2-3 weeks
Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate)LH rise 5-10 days, Test recovery 3-4 weeks
Enclomiphene (Androxal)LH rise 24-72 h, Test recovery 2-4 weeks
Legal status
Nolvadex (Tamoxifen)FDA + EMA Rx, registered in HU + PL, WADA S4 (banned in-competition)
Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate)FDA + EMA Rx (female indication), off-label male hypogonadism, WADA S4 (banned)
Enclomiphene (Androxal)NOT FDA-approved (CRL 2016), US-compounding + EU research-pharm + UGL
Dosing (PCT or hypogonadism)
Nolvadex (Tamoxifen)—
Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate)—
Enclomiphene (Androxal)12.5-25 mg/day, morning