Clenbuterol Cycle and Dosage Information for Men and Women

What Is Clenbuterol?

Clenbuterol is a β2-adrenoceptor agonist and bronchodilator formulated to treat various breathing disorders, such as:

• Inflammatory airway disease (IAD)
• Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)

Clenbuterol has been an effective anti-asthma medication and an approved prescription drug for humans in several countries (although not in the US) since 1977.

What Motivates Individuals to Use Clenbuterol for Aesthetic Reasons?

In research, we have observed clenbuterol demonstrating strong anabolic effects in animals, significantly increasing skeletal muscle mass while reducing fat (1). This discovery has led to some bodybuilders purchasing clenbuterol illicitly and utilizing it in cutting cycles alongside other fat-burning steroids. However, we have found the effects of clenbuterol in humans to be somewhat dissimilar to those in animals.

Can Clenbuterol Increase Muscle Mass in Humans?

Some users report no anabolic effects from clenbuterol, whereas others report improvements in lean muscle tissue.

Based on our observations, clenbuterol can induce anabolism, although to a lesser degree than anabolic-androgenic steroids.

Clenbuterol may help bodybuilders retain muscle when cutting, although significant increases in muscle hypertrophy (size) and strength are uncommon in our experience.

Clenbuterol is generally taken orally; however, it is also available as a syrup or injection.

Disclosure: We do not accept any form of advertising on Inside Bodybuilding. We monetize our practice by providing doctor consultations and carefully selected pharmaceutical recommendations, which have given our patients excellent results.

What Are the Potential Benefits of Clenbuterol?

• Fat loss
• Increased blood flow
• Enhanced energy
• Appetite suppression
• Diuretic effects
• No testosterone suppression

Fat Loss

Clenbuterol stimulates the central nervous system (CNS), increasing adrenaline output and raising the body’s temperature by up to 1 degree.

Consequently, in an attempt to maintain homeostasis, the body stimulates the sudoriferous glands (sweat glands) to cool itself back down to its previous temperature.

This constant cooling effect can increase total calorie expenditure, thus spiking a user’s basal metabolic rate. Therefore, we find that users can burn more calories at rest than usual.

This makes it easier for bodybuilders to eat in a calorie deficit and burn fat indirectly (due to an elevated metabolism). Clenbuterol also has direct fat-burning effects (similar to other beta-2 agonists) by increasing the conversion of triglycerides to free fatty acids.

Increased Blood Flow

Clenbuterol raises epinephrine (adrenaline) levels, which can cause the body to enter fight-or-flight mode. Consequently, blood flow improves throughout the body as a survival mechanism.

Thus, we have seen clenbuterol improve muscular endurance, enabling bodybuilders to perform more repetitions than usual.

If a person’s blood pressure or heart rate rises excessively, endurance may suffer on clenbuterol; thus, this benefit is dependent on how the individual reacts to clenbuterol.

We find that pumps can also become larger due to enhanced blood circulation to the muscles. Sizable pumps and increased repetitions may indirectly help to build new muscle due to stretching of the muscle fascia.

Fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds the muscles; however, if it is excessively tight, muscle growth can be inhibited. In this instance, as the muscle tries to expand, it effectively pushes against the deep fascia. Therefore, the more flexible this tissue becomes, the greater its potential for increasing muscle hypertrophy. Bigger pumps from clenbuterol can cause the fascia to become more supple, reducing such friction.

Users also report:

• Accelerated recovery after workouts
• Requiring less sleep than usual

When a person remains in fight-or-flight mode for an extended period, cortisol levels can rise excessively, resulting in vasoconstriction. This impairs blood flow and increases fatigue, which may occur in the latter stages of a clenbuterol cycle following the initial increase in blood flow.

Enhanced Energy

Stimulants arouse the CNS, causing the body to release more adrenaline and providing a substantial burst of energy in some users.

Clenbuterol is a powerful stimulant; thus, energy levels can increase notably. However, we observe that users commonly experience a crash with low energy levels after this initial effect wears off, consequently creating a dependence on clenbuterol.

High energy levels from clenbuterol can indirectly aid fat burning due to increased workout intensity. For example, users may perform cardiovascular exercise on a stationary bike for 15 minutes; however, with clenbuterol, individuals may be able to extend the duration to 20 minutes or more.

Appetite Suppression

Clenbuterol has a stimulating effect on beta-2 adrenergic receptors, which can affect satiety levels in humans. Consequently, our patients have reported decreased hunger throughout the day, despite increased calorie expenditure. This effect can indirectly support further fat loss, as users are more likely to maintain a calorie deficit.

Thus, clenbuterol can be beneficial to individuals who struggle to lose weight, as users may feel fuller for longer periods on clenbuterol, causing them to eat smaller portions.

Diuretic Effects

Clenbuterol expels extracellular water, causing some users to appear visibly leaner with enhanced muscle tone. We attribute clenbuterol’s diuretic effects to the amount of sweating that occurs.

Therefore, it is important to drink adequate levels of water when taking clenbuterol, as sodium is lost through sweat, which can lead to dehydration and muscle cramps.

Any water lost from taking clenbuterol is likely to return after a cycle, making this diuretic effect temporary.

No Testosterone Suppression

One of the principal drawbacks of anabolic steroids is the potential shutdown of natural testosterone production (hypogonadism). Typically, after a steroid cycle, it can take several weeks or months for endogenous testosterone to return to normal levels.

In contrast, clenbuterol does not compromise testosterone levels. Thus, PCT is not required, and results are less likely to be lost post-supplementation.

What Are the Potential Side Effects of Clenbuterol?

• Increased heart rate
• Anxiety
• Insomnia

Increased Heart Rate

Clenbuterol arouses the sympathetic nervous system, potentially causing users’ resting heart rates to become excessively elevated, medically referred to as tachycardia.

Dr. Thomas O’Connor has anecdotal evidence of clenbuterol contributing to heart rates of 180 beats per minute.

Research indicates that chronic atrial fibrillation is possible due to clenbuterol use (2), a form of irregular heartbeat caused by permanent cardiac scarring.

Thus, clenbuterol could be a particularly hazardous drug for anyone with:

• Cardiac issues in their family
• Existing high blood pressure
• Existing heart arrhythmia

Clenbuterol may cause deterioration in health for the average person. Thus, its potential toxicity is not limited to those with genetic susceptibilities for cardiac complications.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a common side effect of taking clenbuterol due to its tendency to shift a person into fight-or-flight mode. Excessive arousal of the CNS may cause a person to perceive everyday situations as threats, negatively affecting their mental health.

A racing heart and palpitations can also trigger anxiety, as users may think they are experiencing a heart attack (myocardial infarction).

Taking a sedative can help calm the central nervous system and reduce anxiety levels. However, we have seen this counteract the thermogenic effect of clenbuterol, thus negatively affecting fat loss due to less adrenaline and heat production.

High levels of CNS stimulation are linked to depression due to the subsequent comedown effect. This is due to clenbuterol initially boosting dopamine levels in the brain (3), for them to drop later as a person builds tolerance or comes off the drug.

Tremors are also common when taking clenbuterol due to its greater adrenaline output. In our experience, this side effect is specifically common in the hands.

Insomnia

Insomnia can be experienced by clenbuterol users more prone to an overly active nervous system, causing hyperactivity (4).

Some bodybuilders suggest taking clenbuterol earlier in the day to improve the chances of falling asleep at night. However, clenbuterol has a long half-life of 35 hours (5). Thus, we have found this protocol to be ineffective, with high amounts of clenbuterol still peaking in the bloodstream.

It is worth noting that sleep deprivation may elevate cortisol levels, further increasing blood pressure and inhibiting lipolysis (fat burning).

Clenbuterol Dosage

A person’s preferred clenbuterol dosage can depend on their objectives. For example, an asthmatic may take two 20-mcg pills per day. Patients suffering more severely from respiratory issues may take four 20-mcg pills per day.

However, bodybuilders or anyone taking clenbuterol for weight loss purposes may take 6–8 pills per day (120–160 mcg). Such dosages are well beyond the therapeutic range used in medicine; therefore, more severe side effects may occur.

People respond to potent stimulants differently; thus, the dosage can also be tailored to how sensitive a person is to the drug.

Do Dosages Vary Between Men and Women?

Unlike with anabolic steroids, the dosage of clenbuterol is the same for men and women. This is because it affects the CNS rather than working on a hormonal level (where women have significantly less testosterone and thus need smaller doses of steroids to obtain the same level of results).

Clenbuterol Cycle

Men and women in the fitness community may utilize the following clenbuterol cycle to enhance fat loss and muscle definition.

We find users typically build a tolerance to clenbuterol quickly; thus, to prolong its positive effects, men and women may start on a lower dosage and increase it slowly every third day.

Typically, a user only continues increasing the dosage until they reach the maximum amount. We have had patients complete a 30-day clenbuterol cycle, reaching a peak dose of 120 mcg without significant short-term complications. However, we have also had patients report severe side effects on 80 mcg/day, leading them to cut their cycle short.

The reason why clenbuterol cycles typically do not last beyond 4–6 weeks is due to beta-receptor downregulation.

Thus, clenbuterol’s positive effects can only be experienced for a limited time until the body successfully regulates its temperature back to normal, causing fat burning to come to a halt.

Consequently, some users choose to cycle clenbuterol for 2 weeks on, followed by 2 weeks off, or 2 days on and 2 days off.

2-Week On/Off Clenbuterol Cycle

As previously mentioned, short clenbuterol cycles are sometimes utilized to prevent the body from building up a tolerance to the drug, ensuring further fat loss in future cycles. Furthermore, we have found that a shorter 2-week cycle can be less cardiotoxic compared to longer cycles.

In one journal, a healthy 25-year-old man was rushed to the ER after taking 20 mcg of clenbuterol (6). He was diagnosed with labile hypertension, and his heart rate reached 140 beats per minute.

He experienced:

• Palpitations
• Nausea
• Chest pain
• Sweating
• Anxiety

He had been taking the same dose for 3 weeks with no adverse effects. Therefore, this case is an example of how a 2-week cycle may be less damaging for sensitive users.

A 2-week cycle typically starts in the 20–40 mcg range, with the dose increasing every 1 or 2 days until a maximum dose is achieved (usually 100–140 mcg).

Users commonly have 2 weeks of rest before cycling clenbuterol again. However, the second cycle often begins with the maximum dose from the first cycle. Thus, if the first cycle finished at 100 mcg per day, the same dose would be taken for the entire 2 weeks in the second cycle.

Every follow-up cycle from this point onward can start at the maximum dose for continued progress.

Clenbuterol and Winstrol

For Men

Winstrol (stanozolol) is an anabolic steroid commonly utilized during cutting cycles to enhance fat loss and lean muscle mass.

The addition of Winstrol can have a more anabolic effect than taking clenbuterol alone. Thus, a person can build muscle and burn fat simultaneously on this stack, rather than predominantly burning fat with clenbuterol.

The side effects of Winstrol are different from those of clenbuterol. Winstrol is an oral compound similar to clenbuterol; however, it is highly hepatotoxic. Therefore, ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase) enzymes can become elevated in Winstrol users, indicating strain on the liver. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels also typically rise, causing substantial increases in blood pressure.

Winstrol can also increase DHT (dihydrotestosterone) levels, a potent androgen hormone, contributing to the following side effects:

• Hair loss (androgenetic alopecia)
• Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
• Acne vulgaris

Winstrol can negatively affect the HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis), causing endogenous testosterone production to shut down. Consequently, it can take several months for levels to normalize (hence why some bodybuilders opt for post-cycle therapy).

For Women

We find Winstrol is not generally a recommended steroid for women due to the high risk of virilization. Such masculine effects, however, may be reduced by adopting a low dosage (as shown below).

There may not be high motivation for females to utilize this stack if the primary goal is fat loss, as Winstrol can compromise femininity in our experience. However, if increased muscle tone and size are required, some women may cycle clenbuterol and Winstrol together.

Clenbuterol and Cytomel (T3) Cycle

Clenbuterol can also be stacked with Cytomel (synthetic T3 or liothyronine) to enhance fat burning. Cytomel is a prescription medication for hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid).

Generally, the higher a person’s T3 levels are, the greater the rate of lipolysis (fat-burning) in the body. We have found this to be an effective weight loss stack, but it is not without harsh side effects. These can include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Brain fog
• Flushing
• High blood pressure
• Arrhythmias

Users often take 25–75 mcg of Cytomel per day for 6–8 weeks.

50 mcg is the standard Cytomel dose for intermediate bodybuilders. However, they may stack Cytomel with testosterone or another anabolic steroid due to T3’s potential catabolic effects.

Clenbuterol Results (Before and After Pictures)

The user (above) cycled clenbuterol for 2 weeks, starting with a 20 mcg dose and slowly increasing up to 80 mcg/day. This was the user’s first clenbuterol cycle.

We see a person’s results on clenbuterol commonly determined by:

• Dosage
• Length of cycle
• Genetics
• Diet
• Workout routines

For enhanced fat loss, users may eat within a 500-calorie deficit. Clenbuterol’s metabolic effects can be blunted if a person eats in a calorie surplus.

In our experience, men and women typically lose 10–15 pounds of weight from a 4-week cycle of clenbuterol.

Similar to anabolic steroids, the more clenbuterol cycles a person performs, the less fat loss they are likely to experience with each one.

Clenbutrol Reviews (Before and After Pictures)

Clenbutrol is a legal alternative to clenbuterol, which is an FDA-approved compound formulated by Crazy Bulk.

FAQs

Clenbuterol vs. Albuterol: How Do They Compare?

Albuterol sulfate (also referred to as salbutamol) is a beta-2 adrenergic agonist, like clenbuterol.

The main difference, however, is that albuterol is an FDA-approved prescription drug for the treatment of asthma.

Albuterol also increases fat burning through the process of thermogenesis and stimulation of the CNS. Thus, the benefits and side effects of albuterol are similar to those of clenbuterol.

However, albuterol is not believed to be as potent as clenbuterol and is regarded as a cleaner stimulant.

Consequently, albuterol’s side effects can be more tolerable, potentially making it more cardiovascular-friendly. However, the results from albuterol are less noticeable in our experience, with fat loss and energy levels being more prominent with clenbuterol.

Albuterol also has a shorter half-life than clenbuterol, being 4–6 hours, thus requiring more frequent doses (3–4 times per day).

Albuterol is administered via the same method as clenbuterol (in pill form). However, in medicine, albuterol is prescribed in the form of an emergency inhaler.

Is Clenbuterol Legal?

Clenbuterol is not approved by the FDA and is illegal for human use in the U.S. However, it may be legal in other countries when used as a bronchodilator for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma. However, in such instances, clenbuterol use is typically only legal when accompanied by a doctor’s prescription.

Clenbuterol is also on the WADA-banned list of substances; thus, athletes can fail a drug test and be suspended (if it is found lingering in their system).

Is Clenbuterol Safe?

The Peking Union Medical College in Beijing, China, concluded that clenbuterol had mild effects when given to rabbits (7). However, when higher doses were administered, their heart rates increased drastically, inducing severe hypotension.

Thus, research suggests that the severity of clenbuterol’s adverse effects may be dose-dependent (8). Anecdotally, we have found high dosages to be unsafe in relation to cardiotoxicity.

Note: Men and women with existing heart issues are at high risk when taking clenbuterol (irrespective of the dose). Furthermore, if users are stacking clenbuterol with anabolic steroids, cardiac-related side effects can be exacerbated (9).

Can Clenbuterol Cause Permanent Weight Loss?

The results from clenbuterol, specifically relating to weight loss, can be maintained if a user refrains from eating in a calorie surplus.

However, if a person begins to overeat following a clenbuterol cycle and stops training, then fat accumulation can occur.

Note: Water loss from clenbuterol use is a common but temporary effect. Therefore, users may regain a small amount of fluid following cycle cessation.

Is Clenbuterol Effective?

Clenbuterol has been shown to be an efficacious lipolytic drug. However, clenbuterol is often purchased under the counter, where supplements can be tainted (10); thus, it is difficult to know if users are receiving authentic clenbuterol.

In our experience, if a user’s body temperature is not rising and they are not losing fat, it is potentially counterfeit clenbuterol.

Can Users Consume Alcohol While Taking Clenbuterol?

Alcohol consumption is usually a detrimental idea when taking oral anabolic steroids due to their hepatotoxic nature. However, clenbuterol is not an anabolic steroid but instead a bronchodilator, and it is not toxic to the liver.

The main concerns with clenbuterol are excessive rises in heart rate, blood pressure fluctuations, and dehydration. We find alcohol can exacerbate all three of these side effects due to increased cortisol production, so we advise against it.

Furthermore, alcohol can blunt the fat-burning effects of clenbuterol, especially in stubborn areas, due to cortisol being a fat-storing hormone.

How Do I Know If My Clenbuterol Product Is Genuine?

The authenticity of different clenbuterol products can be tested by applying a colorimetric reagent testing solution (ROIDTEST™) to 20 mg samples of clenbuterol. This quantity is achieved by crushing the tablets or removing powder from the capsules.

After 20–30 minutes of applying the solution, if the product fails to change from pale orange to the colors illustrated below, then clenbuterol is not the active substance.

Clenbuterol Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Significant fat loss
• Effective bronchodilator
• Anti-catabolic effects

Cons:

• Increased risk of tachycardia
• Excess stimulation of the CNS.

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