The beta-2 agonist Clenbuterol is used for treating asthma, since it is a bronchodilator, in many countries.
However, it is more commonly used to burn fat and increase energy in a bodybuilding bulking cycle.
There are many different ways to run a Clenbuterol cycle, depending on your particular needs.
Clen cycle dosages generally start low and increase gradually to prevent tolerance. A cycle will usually last 4 – 8 weeks.
It stimulates the central nervous system much like adrenaline and has similar side effects to other drugs, like ephedrine, that work on the CNS in this manner.
Since it has a lengthy half-life (which could increase the risk of side effects), the FDA hasn’t approved clenbuterol for clinical use.
Many believe that the half-life of Clenbuterol is 48 hours, but it is actually 35 hours.
What is the right way to design a Clen cycle for cutting or weight loss given its long half-life and other properties?
Clenbuterol Cycles
Clenbuterol is available in 20 mcg tablets as well as injectable, pump and syrup forms, and in some areas it can be obtained as a powder.
Doses vary, with the main variable being how those taking the drug deal with the side effects, but most men take 4 to 8 tablets a day, and women tend to take 2 to 4 tablets a day.
Clenbuterol’s thermogenic effects wear off after about two months, and the body’s temperature will return to normal.
The anti-catabolic and anabolic effects dissipate after about 18 days.
When you consider the half-life of Clenbuterol, it makes the most sense for a Clenbuterol cycle to involve two weeks on followed by two weeks off and last for 12 weeks or less.
Uses may make use of Yohimbine or Ephedrine during off weeks.
Ephedrine versus Clenbuterol
Ephedrine boosts metabolism by 2 to 3% while Clenbuterol increases metabolism by 10%, as well as raising the temperature of the body by several degrees.
Clenbuterol is the best drug for burning fat, though most people won’t ever find out due to the risks it carries.
Ephedrine is anti-catabolic, but the fact that it has a short half-life decreases its effectiveness.
Clenbuterol does have a greater risk of side effects compared with an ephedrine/ECA stack,.
Though it doesn’t involve the crash common with ECA, and most find that it doesn’t affect the sex drive or prostate as much.
This may have something to do with the short time span involved in a Clenbuterol cycle.
Possible Side Effects
Side effects from using a Clenbuterol Cycle can involve the following, though this list is not conclusive.
Some individuals may experience no side effects at all while others may see serious problems.
The best way to control the occurrence of negative effects is by using a safe dose and by listening to your body:
- Chest Pain
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Muscle Cramping
- Lightheadedness
- Trouble Sleeping
- Increased Perspiration
- Increased Blood Pressure
- Heartburn
- Headache
- Facial Flushing
- Dry Mouth
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nervousness
- Nausea
The main side effects people deal with are an increase in blood pressure, headaches, nervousness and muscle cramping.
Avoiding muscle cramps is possible with an increase in water intake (1 ½ to 2 gallons each day), consumption of oranges and bananas or potassium supplementation (200 to 400 mg each day prior to sleep without food), and Taurine supplementation (3 to 5 g).
To prevent headaches, simply take Extra Strength Tylenol as soon as pain begins.
Reasons to Use a Clen Cycle
Post-Cycle Recovery – Clenbuterol is often used to help with recovery after a steroid cycle.
It lets the user keep consuming the large portions of food needed without the worry of gaining fat. In addition, it enables users to maintain training intensity and greater amounts of strength.
When used in this manner it should be with a diet that is generally on par with that of on-cycle.
Fat Burning and Weight Loss – Clen is most commonly used to reduce fat, though it can also increase size, strength, vascularity and muscle hardness while maintaining a deficit of calories.
In order to lose the most fat possible, T3 should be stacked with Clenbuterol during your cycle.
When used for this purpose a diet consisting of low fat, moderate carbs and high protein in the rations of 0.25:0.5:1.5 per pound of bodyweight is best.
Steroid Alternative – Clen has properties similar to a mild steroid, and is used by bodybuilders who don’t use anabolic steroids to improve lean body mass, muscle hardness and strength.
When used for this purpose a moderate fat, moderate carbohydrate and high protein diet works well.
Performance Enhancer and Stimulant – Clen may work as a stimulant, but since it has a reduced half-life, ECA is probably a better option for this usage.
When used for this purpose a diet including carbohydrates must be followed to make use of the stimulating properties. A ketogenic diet will not be effective.
Precautions when Using Clenbuterol
Clen cycle use must involve the same precautions necessary when using Ephedrine, though many users think that Clen is less harsh than ECA stacking.
Clenbuterol stacking must not be done with additional central nervous system stimulants like Yohimbine and Ephedrine, since this kind of combination isn’t necessary and may be dangerous.
Prior to working out users can also consume a moderate amount of caffeine to provide an additional energy burst.
Adding Ketotifen to your Stack Cycle
The antihistamine Ketotifen is safely used in some parts of Europe in the treatment of allergies and asthma.
It is capable of icreasing the effectiveness of beta-2 receptors that Clen makes less effective, allowing users to use Clen for as much as six to eight weeks at once.
The best dosage is 2 to 3 mg daily, since higher dosages, such as the 10 mg contained in “Superclen,” often has the side effect of drowsiness. The dosage must also be adjusted to account for the increased effectiveness of Clen.
The disadvantage of this addition is that it has the potential to bring on extreme hunger for some users, which isn’t helpful when trying to lose weight.
Schedule for Cycling Clenbuterol
The majority of Clen users who have severe side effects that cause them to discontinue using the drug are those who begin a cycle with a high dose.
Side effects should become less of a problem after 3 to 4 days. Someone using Clen for the first time shouldn’t use over 40 mcg on day one.
Add a tablet each day unless side effects become intolerable.
A first-time Clenbuterol cycle may look like this:
- Day 1: 20 mcg
- Day 2: 40 mcg
- Day 3: 60 mcg
- Day 4: 80 mcg
- Day 5: 80 mcg (Don’t increase the dosage if the side effects become intolerable)
- Day 6 to Day12: 100 mcg
- Day 13: 80 mcg (It isn’t essential to taper, but some users find that it helps them gradually readjust to normality)
- Day 14: 60 mcg
- Day 15: off
- Day 16: off
- Day 17: Begin ECA stack
Other Important Information
You must take 3 to 5 g of Taurine each day when taking Clenbuterol because it depletes the body’s taurine levels, making the liver incapable of converting T4 to T3.
Taking Taurine also enables the user to avoid painful muscle cramping and rebound effects, so it is a necessity.
Users shouldn’t consume Clenbuterol right before a workout since it may affect breathing and sabotage exercise. If you are stacking with Anavar, consider lowering the dosage.
It is advised that cardio workouts should be done at a steady pace instead of routines with a HIIT style.
Don’t consume your Clen cycle dosage after four in the afternoon, and drink one and a half to two gallons of water each day while taking it.
