In the case of Clenbuterol HCL, it is not an anabolic/androgenic steroid, but a Beta-2 sympathomimetic, which is medically prescribed as a drug for asthma.
This active substance acts as a muscle relaxant in the lung lobes,
leading to a deeper and more intense breathing process.
In bodybuilding and fitness, Clenbuterol is used primarily for its supposed dual actions. Firstly, it is believed to have a strong anti-catabolic and muscle-building action, which is why it is used in Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT) by those who do not use steroid hormones and want to support muscle gain with an anti-catabolic agent. Furthermore, Clenbuterol has gained a reputation as a powerful fat burner, which explains its use during dieting phases. Both opinions are passed down from generation to generation and are rarely questioned. This is a shame, because with a little knowledge on the subject, many athletes could avoid taking it. Studies on animals have shown that Clenbuterol causes a significant increase in striated musculature.
It is still not known how this occurs; even the company Boehringer Ingelheim, which produces the preparation “Spiropent,” cannot say anything precise about it. To achieve similar effects in humans, a daily dose of would be necessary, a dosage that would cause devastating effects.
The use of Clenbuterol as a substitute for a muscle-building steroid makes little sense. Progress in muscle gain with the use of Clenbuterol has proven to be extremely modest, and empirical information is mainly based on an increase in strength level. The supposed anti-catabolic action must also be doubted, although many athletes claim there are positive results. Taking a dose of up to 160 mcg per day should maintain precious muscle mass after the cycle and provide more energy for training. However, it is a fact that there are no studies demonstrating an anti-catabolic action. The maintenance of muscle mass after the cycle is mainly attributed to the concomitant strength increase.
Athletes who use Clenbuterol, despite its rather modest action on muscle gain or as a steroid substitute, use the so-called “On/Off” scheme. This consists of constantly increasing the dose in the first week, from 1 tablet per day to 8 tablets per day, in order to ensure better tolerance and limit side effects as much as possible.
From the seventh day, a two-day break is introduced, and on the following two days, the maximum dose is taken again.
This scheme continues until the end of the intake. The idea behind such a scheme is that the Beta-2 receptors, which are subject to the action, have time to rest for two days and are thus ready to receive the drug for a longer period, which leads to greater effectiveness. However, the meaning of this once-propagated standard scheme has since become questionable, considering that Clenbuterol has a half-life of 35 hours and therefore remains effective during those two Off days. It would be better to take Clenbuterol every day for one week, and then switch to Ephedrine in the following week, before returning to Clenbuterol in the 3rd week.
The alternative variable scheme, which involves using Clenbuterol for one week and Ephedrine for one week, has proven to be the best choice in practice. However, the maximum period of use, which is 6 weeks, should not be exceeded. Another scheme consists of daily intake, but in this case, the initial problem returns, namely the rapid receptor desensitization and the accumulation of the active substance due to its long half-life. Beta-2 receptors usually become accustomed to regular intake after about 4 weeks, so no further progress should be expected from that moment on. The long half-life and the resulting accumulation of the substance can also lead to unpleasant side effects, such as sleep disturbances and significant stress on the heart and circulatory system. Permanent heart damage cannot be ruled out, especially in the case of combined intake of Clenbuterol and anabolic/androgenic steroids. Those who use Clenbuterol as a fat-burning aid usually take a dose of up to $160\mu\text{g}$ per day and take it once daily. As already mentioned, a single daily dose for more than four weeks makes no sense.
Related publications mention an increase in metabolism of 10% and a body temperature increase of several degrees Celsius. In practice, however, these values are not reached. An increase in body temperature of $2\text{-}3^\circ\text{C}$ would already mean a slight fever. Those who wish to use Clenbuterol to support fat reduction should monitor their body temperature. There are, indeed, athletes who report a temperature increase, however, such reports are very rare. Since Clenbuterol develops its fat-burning properties through thermogenesis, the effect at constant body temperature would be zero. Other combinations used by athletes are Clenbuterol + thyroid hormones and Clenbuterol in the alternative E-C-A scheme. Clenbuterol or the ephedrine/caffeine/aspirin combination is used alternately for one week at a time. Athletes promise themselves, thanks to this, less receptor saturation and thus a longer period of use. In the case of the Clenbuterol/thyroid hormone combination, it can be hoped that the anti-catabolic effect of Clenbuterol occurs, which should counteract the muscle-destructive action of thyroid hormones.
Furthermore, both substances, thanks to their different forms of action, seem to have a synergistic effect. Here too, the intake period should be limited to 6 weeks, as the expected receptor saturation occurs later. Finally, every athlete should decide for themselves whether or not to use this substance. The facts and experiences gathered over the years indicate that the majority of athletes are against taking Clenbuterol.
For the purpose of gain and as a steroid substitute, doses ranging from 20-160 mcg per day are used. Intake begins with one tablet per day 20 mcg and is increased by one tablet during the week until the maximum dosage is reached. Subsequently, the On/Off scheme must be continued for 5-7 weeks. For greater fat reduction, the same dosage is used, but transiently. For this purpose, many athletes adopt a weekly switch with the ephedrine/caffeine/aspirin combination. Women also use the scheme described above, however in doses of 20-120 mcg per day. Clenbuterol should be discontinued in the same way as ephedrine, meaning the amount taken should decrease by one tablet day by day until the end of the cycle.
