Cytadren

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Cytadren is not an anabolic/androgenic steroid but a steroid-biosynthesial inhibitor belonging to the group of sex hormones. Cytadren inhibits the build up of androgens, estrogens, and the suprarenal cortical hormones (glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids).

Cytadren's highly anti estrogenic effect inhibits the body's own estrogen production and prevents the conversion of androgens into estrogens. This helps keep the estrogen level of bodybuilders low. Cytadren also prohibits the build up of adrenocortical hormones. It halts the production of endogenous cortisone like no other compound by inhibiting the conversion of cholesterol into cortisone. It is for this reason, Cytadren is used for the treatment of Cushing's Syndrome, a hyperfunction of the adrenal glands that causes the body to overproduce cortisone (a catabolic hormone) and prevents protein synthesis in the muscle cell, resulting in a muscular atrophy by breaking down amino acids in the muscle cell.

The human body constantly releases cortisone and reacts to stress situations such as intense training by increasing its cortisone release. When the release of the bodily cortisone is higher than the anabolic effect of working out bodybuilders start experiencing stagnation in their physical development.

Slowing down or preventing release of cortisone results in an increase in muscle mass and body strength. Cytadren achieves exactly these results. Unfortunately, Cytadren reduces the cortisone level so effectively that the body tries to balance this by hypophysially producing more ACTH (adenocorticotropic hormone), thus stimulating the secretion of cortisone by the adrenal glands! This once again neutralizes the effect of Cytadren. If exogenous hydrocortisone were to be taken no ACTH would be produced; however, this also reduces the effect of Cytadren.

Cytadren - Adminstration and Combinations

One administration schedule that prevents or delays the body's own production of ACTH is based on the premise that the body does not show abrupt reactions when the cortisone level is lowered by the intake of Cytadren. The compound needs to be taken for several days before the body begins reacting. Alternating administration schedule with two days of administration and two days of abstinence will not give the body enough time to react, thus interrupting the production of ACTH.

Cytadren, also inhibits the body's own production of Androgen and hence should not be used by natural bodybuilders. The solution is to take a long term effective testosterone such as Testosterone Enanthate simultaneously. Testoviron Depot 250 could also be considered as one such possible compound.

Cytadren - Dosage

From what has been heard so far, 2-4 tablets of 250 mg each per day seems to be an appropriate dose. The tablets are always taken individually, at regular intervals throughout the day, and taken best during meals.

You begin by taking only one tablet and then slowly and evenly increasing the dosage until the respective maximum dosage is reached. Considering the bodily production of ACTH, it is advised that the compound not be used longer than 4-6 weeks. A combination of Cytadren (not on any doping list), growth hormones, and a low quantity of injectable testosterone is the new 'stack' among athletes of any field, since it allows the athlete to pass any doping test.

The side effects of Cytadren are, unfortunately, numerous and /sometimes very severe. The most common side effects are fatigue and dizziness. Lack of concentration, restlessness, depression, apathy, and sleeping disorders are less common but possible. Even rarer and mostly depending on the doses are nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal pain, diarrhea, and headaches. A possible rash, fatigue and dizziness are usually initial symptoms and these can be minimized by taking slowly increasing dosages, or they may simply disappear.

The package insert of Ciba-Geigy GmbH Germany also states that in some cases there could be a possible inadequate thyroid function that would require treatment.

Another likely problem is liver disease. Cases of reduced counts of the white blood cells, the blood platelets, and even of all blood cells have also been reported. Due to the reduced cortisone level, complaints about joint pain from athletes now also exposed to a higher risk of getting injured are to be expected.

There is no question that Cytadren is effective when taken according to the two-day alternating administration schedule but the athlete should carefully consider the cost/benefit factor prior to taking the compound.