The two SERMs that built PCT. Mood, vision, and the isomer problem.
| Clomid | Nolvadex | |
|---|---|---|
| Generic | Clomiphene Citrate | Tamoxifen Citrate |
| Class | Mixed-isomer SERM | Tissue-selective SERM |
| PCT dose (Wks 1-2) | 50 mg / day | 20 mg / day |
| PCT dose (Wks 3-4) | 25 mg / day | 10 mg / day |
| Half-life | ~5-7 days | ~5-7 days |
| Anti-gyno effect | Moderate | Strong |
| Mood side-effects | High (zuclomiphene isomer) | Low |
| Vision side-effects | Documented (rare but real) | Rare |
| IGF-1 impact | Mild increase | Mild decrease |
| Lipid impact | Improves HDL | Improves lipid panel |
Clomid is a mix of two isomers — enclomiphene (the "clean" anti-estrogen) and zuclomiphene (a long-acting estrogen agonist that lingers for weeks). The zuclomiphene fraction is responsible for the notorious emotional side-effects: moodiness, weepiness, depression. Nolvadex does not have this problem.
Nolvadex provides similar LH/FSH-stimulating effect with a much cleaner emotional and visual side-effect profile. It is also the strongest anti-gyno SERM — protective against estrogen at the breast tissue level. Most modern PCT protocols default to Nolvadex 20/20/10/10.
Clomid is cheaper and more widely available. It produces a stronger LH/FSH stimulation than Nolvadex, useful for restarting a deeply suppressed HPG axis. For severe testicular shutdown post-cycle, some clinicians still use a 4-week Clomid burst before switching to Nolvadex.
Enclomiphene is the pure trans-isomer of Clomid — Clomid minus the zuclomiphene side effects. It is the cleanest SERM for restart and also sees use as a TRT alternative. Not yet FDA-approved, but available through compounding pharmacies.
Epti lets you log your protocol — every dose, side-effect, and outcome on one timeline. The only way to know which works for you.