courtesty of nick bockwinkle over at steriods101
CLENBUTEROL FAQ 1.1 by Nick Bockwinkle
**********Foreword********************
First off, I would like to give a big hoot to the guys on FitnessBoard.com/Steroids101. Small for his kickass "Liquid Fury" Cycle, GearedUp for being a kickass mod, Lewd Tennant, Anabolic PhD, MJ Brack, CJ, f41, Chesta, Gravert456 and all of you who make that board a great place to be!!
This FAQ will be updated, so if you have any questions you would like added to this FAQ, email me at
[email protected].
1.What is Clenbuterol and how does it work?
Simply put, Clenbuterol hydrochloride (the full chemical name for Clenbuterol) is a beta-2-adrenergic agonist, and was initially used to treat asthma in humans. Other such drugs in this class are albuterol (I believe this is brand named as Ventolin, the blue inhaler commonly seen), pirbuterol, terbutaline and salmeterol.
Clenbuterol has two secondary effects that are beneficial to athletes and bodybuilders. The first is a strong anti-catabolic effect, which means it decreases the rate at which protein is used up in the muscle cells, consequently causing hypertrophy of muscle cells (with proper training, of course). Clen accomplishes this by the stimulation of both type 2 and 3 beta-receptors. 3-beta receptors are more abundant in livestock than in humans. This explains the pronounced anabolic effects on livestock as opposed to humans.
Secondly, Clen has a wonderful thermogenic effect. This is the main reason that is included in nearly every cutting cycle in some form or fashion. This means that it slightly raises the body temperature of the person taking it. When the body's temperature rises it burns fat more productively. When stacked with an LT-3 hormone such as Cytomel, the body turns into the fiery pits of hell and burns fat like a stripper scoops up dollar bills on a Friday night.
Clenbuterol is known by the following brand names:
Broncodil, Broncoterol, Cesbron, Clenasma, Clenbuter.Pharmachim, Contrasmina, Contraspasmina, Monores, Novegam, Oxyflux, Prontovent, Spiropent, Ventolase, and Ventapulmin It is generally available in 10 - 20 mcg tablets, although syrup, injectables and "Super Clen" (x20 the normal dosage of normal tabs) are also somewhat popular.
1.1 Woah!! Clenbuterol and Albuterol (Ventolin) are in the same category?!?! I took Albuterol for my asthma and can get it easily. Can't I use this instead?
The answer to that is "Yeah, sorta... but why would you want to?" Let me explain.
On the FDA's drug pharmacology for Albuterol, "Due to the sensitivity of the assay method, the metabolic rate and half-life of elimination of albuterol in plasma could not be determined. However, urinary excretion provided data indicating that albuterol has an elimination half-life of 3.8 hours. Approximately 72% of the dose is excreted within 24 hours in the urine, and consists of 28% as unchanged drug and 44% as metabolite."°4
The high dosages that are required along with the fact of the very small window of effectiveness, Albuterol is a poor choice for Clenbuterol. Albuterol HAS been used by some bodybuilders as it is also the same Beta-2 agonist charachteristics as Clenbuterol, but again, it has less than 1/10th of the effective time as Clen. This makes Albuterol a very poor choice in terms of effectiveness and efficiency.
2. Will Clenbuterol help me if I am on AS?
Yes, particularly at the end of a cycle to keep gains. Bodybuilders use Clenbuterol after steroid cycles to balance the resulting catabolic phase following a cycle and to retain strength and muscle mass. Also, as a result of the higher body temperatures, Clenbuterol magnifies the effect of anabolic/androgenic steroids taken simultaneously, since the protein processing is increased. °2
***GEEKY MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY WARNING*******
(Taken from Clenbuterol.com) "When these agonists bind to beta-2 adrenoceptors, they activate adenyl cyclase which leads to an increase in the intracellular concentration of the second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and activation of protein kinase A (PKA). In the tracheobronchial tree, beta-2 agonists, cAMP and PKA inhibit smooth muscle contraction by opening K+ channels and by down-regulation of myosin light chain kinase activity." °1
In the airways, beta-2 adrenoceptors are not restricted to smooth muscle. They also occur on epithelium, inflammatory cells, and the vasculature. When epithelial beta adrenoceptors are activated, cilliary beat frequency increases. The effect on mucus secretion is less consistent, but the weight of opinion indicates that beta-2 agonists increase mucocillary clearance. Activation of beta-2 adrenoceptors on inflammatory cells reduces the release of inflammatory mediators, and activation of those in vasculature can inhibit the permeability increase that occurs in inflammation. Thus making it easier to breath.
******* END GEEKY MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY*************
3. Will Clenbuterol help me burn fat?
Hell yes and no. The yes is stated above--Clen is a strong thermogenic. Diet and cardio are most important in this process (of course), as is a good weight training regimen. If one keeps a clean diet, does regular cardio (3-4+ times a week) then Clenbuterol will greatly assist in fat loss. If one sits around the couch all day, eats empty calories like sugars and simple carbs, Clenbuterol will be as useful as a sugar pill.
4. What is the recommended dosage for Clenbuterol?
This has become a matter of controversy among the Bodybuilding community. Due to erroneous assumptions based on livestock dosing, 2 days on-2 days off was thought to be the proper dosage.
Added by Gravert456 on 8/29/01
"Clen does not have a half life of 10 hours. It has biphasic elimination...of which the 1st PHASE is about 8-10 hours...the 2nd phase lasts several days. That is why the 2on 2 off theory doesn't work. If clen had a half life of 10 hours only then you could use the 2on 2 off method. Just thought I would clear that up for you"
Given Clenbuterol's half-life of the 1st phase or "Rapid Phase" about 10 hours, with a 2-days on/2-days off cycle you never have time to get enough of the clenbuterol out of your system for this to be an effective cycle. In actuality, it probably hasn't even dropped to 50% of your peak concentration before one is taking the drug again. With this all taken into account, there is no reason to think that this cycling would significantly reduce the problem of receptor desensitization. 2-weeks on/2-weeks off is a better cycle, with ECA stacked in between.
At a dosage of around 5-7 tablets or 100-140 mcg per day for men over a period of 8-10 weeks. In females, dosages of 80-100 mcg/day are usually sufficient. For fat loss, clenbuterol seems to stay effective for 3-6 weeks, then it's thermogenic properties seem to subside. This is noticed when the body temperature drops back to normal. It's anabolic properties subside much quicker, somewhere around 18 days. Also keep in mind that anything over 140 mcg a day is useless since the beta receptors can only handle so much. °3
4. Should I taper Clenbuterol on and off?
Yes. With ANY thermogenic, the side effects can be pronounced and a shock to the system. To lessen these, here is an optimal pill count for a two-week cycle. (assuming standard Clen dosages of 20mcg such as Spriopent).
Week 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6
Week 2: 6, 6, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2
Weeks 3 and 4: ECA (Hydroxycut, Xenadrine, Stacker, etc.)
The ECA stacks in between will help prevent against the inevitable crash when taking Clen.
5. What are some of Clenbuterol's side effects?
Possible side effects of Clenbuterol include restlessness, palpitations, tremor (involuntary trembling of fingers), headache, increased perspiration, insomnia, possible muscle spasms, increased blood pres-sure, and nausea. Note that these side effects are of a temporary nature and usually subside after 8-10 days, despite continuation of the product.
6.I've heard horror stories of how Clenbuterol can cause heart attacks!! Is this true?
With any thermogenic, inital side effects will include increased heartbeat until the body gets used to them. Keep this in mind your first few days on Clen. Also, Clenbuterol is used by a lot of bodybuilders who just came off a sloth-like cutting cycle or obese folks wanting to lose weight. They may not be used to cardio and start at too high of a pace than their body (and the drug) will tolerate. I say to do cardio year around, but if you are just beginning, PLEASE, ease in slowly. Do not exceed 70% of your heart rate for the first few days. This is markedly important if you are obese or out of shape.
7. I have heard that Clenbuterol can cause white spots on the tounge. Is this true?
This may be an allergic reaction, but I have never heard this nor can find information leaning towards this. Keep in mind that Clenbuterol is a legitimate drub and has passed rigid trials. The main reason it is banned by the FDA is its long half-life (when compared to other drugs in its class). White spots may be indicative of some other infection or disorder.
8. Will Clenbuterol give me bitch tits, tiny nuts, or a moustache if I'm a female?
No. Clenbuterol is not an anabolic steroid or agent and will not aromatize or cause virilization/masculinization. Your cajones will also be unaffected by Clen.
°1 Clenbuterol and Asthma -
http://www.clenbuterol.com/asthma.htm
°2 Clenbuterol and weightloss -
http://www.clenbuterol.com/weightloss.htm
°3 Clenbuterol Profiles -
http://www.mesomorphosis.com/steroid-profiles/clenbuterol.htm
°4 Pharmacological Approaches to Fat Loss:
Targeting Beta-Adrenergic Receptors -
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/2894/proof.html
[ August 29, 2001: Message edited by: Nick Bockwinkle
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