How to get the MAXIMUM from ALLOWED supplements! Pharmaceutical doping in bodybuilding

When practicing bodybuilding, awareness and a competent approach to the training process are important, especially when it comes to professional sports. Various dietary supplements and vitamins have long become an important part of a healthy lifestyle for many people. If everything is clear with sports nutrition to improve the intensity of training and better tolerance of loads, you just need to carefully familiarize yourself with the assortment of sports nutrition stores, then pharmaceutical drugs for bodybuilding still raise a number of questions among beginners. You should look into this issue, since some inexpensive medications from the pharmacy can provide reliable support to the athlete’s body during periods of intense training.

Pharmaceutical drugs or sports supplements?

The debate about how best to pump up will probably never subside. Some athletes prefer a natural approach, which consists of a balanced diet and strength training. Progress with this approach is inevitable, but it will take a long time to wait.

Other athletes cannot imagine life without sports aids - various dietary supplements and tablets from sports nutrition stores. The most popular are gainer, protein and creatine, with the help of which it is possible to achieve progress somewhat faster. These supplements are safe, well studied, and truly effective. However, they are not drugs and do not cause any side effects or irreversible changes in the body.

The third approach is the use of pharmaceuticals, both sports and medical, intended for the treatment of various diseases. Medicines can really help the body if you choose the right dosage regimen and take into account contraindications and side effects.

The first thing that comes to mind when mentioning pharmaceutical drugs for bodybuilders is testosterone propionate. With the help of this anabolic steroid, originally created to treat hypogonadism in men, athletes achieve excellent results. However, it has many side effects, so success in bodybuilding is not achieved with testosterone alone. Few people know that pharmacy chains offer many affordable and conditionally safe medications that support the body during periods of intense physical activity, stimulate the nervous system recovery process, and make the training process even more effective. Thus, some medications also have a right to exist in a bodybuilder’s medicine cabinet, but first you need to figure out which of them are really effective and safe for athletes to take.

What medications should men take?

Pharmaceutical drugs for gaining muscle mass affect the concentration of testosterone in the blood. In this regard, pharmacists have developed such products for the stronger sex, the conditional rating of which in terms of their level of demand in the sports environment is as follows:

1. Andriol. Contains a synthesized analogue of the male hormone, which immediately penetrates the lymphatic system and is not absorbed by the body as quickly as natural testosterone.
2. Methyltestosterone. Promotes a surge of energy and strength, reduces cell regeneration time.
3. Dianabol. Helps the athlete gain exclusively lean muscle mass.

Potassium and magnesium aspartate (Asparkam)

Description: round tablets containing 175 mg of magnesium and potassium aspartate. A mineral supplement that regulates metabolic processes in the body, the most popular drug in bodybuilding.

Official indications: chronic heart failure, arrhythmia, lack of magnesium and potassium when following strict diets.

Principle of action and application in sports: increases the rate of synthesis of ATP, glycogen and acetylcholine. Promotes relaxation of smooth muscle fibers, thereby preventing muscle cramps after intense exercise. Participates in metabolic processes, takes part in the synthesis of amino acids necessary for muscle growth. Reduces the load on the nervous system, due to which it is indicated for overtraining syndrome, regulates nervous activity. It is recommended for athletes as an additional source of magnesium during periods of heavy intense training, for convulsions and neurocirculatory dystonia.

How to take for bodybuilding: three times a day after meals, 1-2 tablets. The prophylactic course of administration does not exceed 28 days, the duration of administration for medicinal purposes is determined by the doctor.

Contraindications: renal failure, intolerance to the components of the composition, grade 2-3 atrioventricular blockades, excess magnesium and potassium in the body.

Side effects: well tolerated, side effects are rare. Possible disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, arterial hypotension, and an allergic reaction if you are allergic to the composition.

Features: non-addictive, available without a prescription, costs no more than 100 rubles. It is recommended for use in the first half of the day, as closer to night the body’s ability to absorb magnesium decreases.

How do vitamins and minerals work?

Pharmacy drugs are designed to ensure the full functioning of all systems of the human body. To gain muscle mass and quickly recover, it is necessary to promptly remove free radicals from the body that are formed during redox reactions during training exercises.

All this is done by vitamins and minerals, which can be obtained both from food and pharmacological complexes. The list of components is given in the table below.

Meldonium (mildronate)

Description: a drug to stimulate metabolism. Increases energy reserves in tissues, allowing you to train more intensely and effectively. Initially created as a cardioprotector. Doping is prohibited for use during competitions and preparation for them.

Official indications and use in bodybuilding: heart and vascular diseases, ischemic brain lesions, cerebrovascular disorders, periods of excessive physical and psycho-emotional stress.

Principle of action on the body: activates the processes of glycolysis, improves the supply of oxygen to tissues, increases overall endurance due to the effect on myocardial contractility. In sports it is used for more intense training and as a means to prevent the development of overtraining syndrome.

Contraindications: high intracranial pressure, children under 18 years of age, acute renal and liver failure, intolerance to the active substance.

Reception and dosage in bodybuilding: 20 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. The dose should be calculated individually, the daily dosage is divided into 2-3 doses.

Side effects: allergic rash, headache, decreased blood pressure, dyspeptic disorders.

Features: an athlete taking Meldonium will not pass doping control at competitions. Residues of the drug are found in the bodybuilder’s blood 3-4 weeks after stopping the course.

Who are the drugs for gaining muscle mass intended for?

Modern athletes work in two main areas - fitness and competitive bodybuilding. In the first case, the athlete masters his body by strictly dosing loads, following a diet, and maintaining the required physical shape.

Clearly distributed effects on certain muscle groups develop muscles, increase immunity, strengthen the heart and blood vessels, and allow you to obtain a physically harmonious body.

In competitive bodybuilding, an athlete deliberately increases the load during training, which often runs counter to improving health, since it is necessary to achieve high performance in the shortest possible time.

Pharmacy preparations for gaining muscle mass not only allow you to increase muscle size, but also enable athletes to recover faster after the hardest workouts. All this pharmacology is certified and completely safe when used strictly according to the instructions and following the dosage.

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Potassium orotate

Description: available in tablets, 500 mg of active ingredient (potassium orotate). The drug stimulates carbohydrate and protein metabolism and is used in the treatment of heart diseases, including in athletes.

Official indications: pathologies of the liver, gall bladder, myocardial infarction, heart failure, anemia and muscular dystrophy.

Principle of action on the body: normalizes galactose metabolism, stimulates the process of synthesis of protein molecules, enhances metabolism and improves the metabolism of protein and carbohydrates. Increases appetite.

Application in bodybuilding and sports: improving exercise tolerance, a period of intense strength training. It is also used for better muscle mass gain, as it improves metabolism and protein absorption. The downside is that it works slowly.

How to use for athletes: take 1-2 tablets an hour before meals 3-4 times a day. It is recommended to combine with Riboxin. Course duration is up to 8 weeks.

Contraindications: liver cirrhosis, lymphogranulomatosis, blood cancer, hyperkalemia.

Side effects: well tolerated; in rare cases, digestive disorders are observed in the first days of use. In case of intolerance, an allergic rash is possible; side effects most often appear as urticaria and allergic rhinitis.

Features: potassium orotate itself does not stimulate the process of gaining muscle mass, but only allows you to get more from training and nutrition. The drug can be taken by athletes who are prone to gaining excess weight, but with the condition of a special diet for muscle gain and regular strength training.

Anabolizers

Anabolizers are drugs that enhance ANABOLIC processes in the body, i.e. accelerate recovery and enhance the growth of muscle mass and strength.

Diabeton MV

The drug has a strong anabolic effect, because it promotes the production of INSULIN (one of the most powerful anabolic hormones), lowering blood glucose levels.

This is one of the most powerful drugs that can be obtained at the pharmacy for gaining muscle mass. It is used to treat type 2 diabetes, and in the Kachkovsky environment to enhance anabolism.

The problem is that it lowers blood glucose levels because... raises insulin levels, and this can lead to HYPOGLYCEMIC COMA. But don't be alarmed. This is only possible if you don’t eat carbohydrates on time, i.e. do not raise blood sugar (glucose) levels.

Here's the trick. After taking Diabeton, you need to eat something sweet with breakfast to raise your blood glucose levels. EXACTLY WITH BREAKFAST, because... If you drink it at lunch or later, there is a risk that your blood glucose level at night, during sleep, will drop to a critical level, and you will fall into a hypoglycemic coma.

This is a serious question, because... if handled carelessly, it can lead to serious problems, even your death, because... the brain needs time to switch from one method of energy supply to another (from glucose to KETONES). I talked about this in the article: “KETO diet”, I won’t go deeper.

The main rule when using Diabeton MV is that if you feel hungry, weak, and your vision begins to get dark, then you URGENTLY NEED TO EAT, because. this means that the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood has FALLED to a critical level! Always carry a chocolate bar (Snickers, Mars, etc.) or a few sugar cubes with you.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia: feeling of hunger, increased sweating, weakness, palpitations, anxiety, headache, dizziness, irritability.

For a completely green beginner who is just ready to try the first pharmacy assistant, I think that this drug is not entirely suitable, because... Beginners still have a poor sense of their body and do not always take their health seriously, and this can lead to dire consequences.

Release form: tablets 30 mg;

Average price: in Moscow for 2015 - from 250 to 300 rubles for 60 tablets;

Reception scheme:

• Take 30 mg AT BREAKFAST;
• Always have something sweet with you to stop hypo (prevent hypoglycemia) when your sugar levels drop;
• The course of treatment is 4-6 weeks;
• Conduct the course no more than 2 times a year, with a break of at least 3 months between courses;
• If the drug is well tolerated, the dosage can be increased for the next course to 60 mg;

Glutamic acid

This very important substance is a stimulator of oxidation and reduction processes in our brain, normalizes metabolism in the body, increases resistance to hypoxia (it becomes easier to breathe), and plays an important role in nitrogen metabolism.

It is also capable of increasing intelligence even in mentally ill people, strengthening the immune system of EVERYONE, which is especially important during a course of steroids and in the winter. Therefore, those who drink glutamic acid, as a rule, rarely get sick.

It also promotes better recovery of your muscles after training, because... during the synthesis of amino acids, more than half of them account for glutamic acid.

I REALLY LIKE this drug because... firstly, it costs a penny, and secondly, the effect is really felt! You get sick less, you feel better, even if you don’t get enough sleep, the weight grows a little faster.

Release form: tablets 250 mg;

Average price: in Moscow for 2015 - from 20 to 50 rubles for 10 tablets of 0.25 g;

Reception scheme:

• Adults: 4 tablets 2-3 times a day 15-20 minutes BEFORE MEALS;
• Course 15-20 days;

These are the official dosages, I usually stick to them, but many jocks throw them in packs. In any case, if you exceed the dosage, nothing bad will happen. I think that with increased physical activity, exceeding the norm will even be useful.

• I would recommend starting with 4 tablets 3 times a day 15-20 minutes BEFORE MEALS, if you choose a pharmaceutical drug.

I strongly advise you to buy glutamine at a sports nutrition store. You'll save a lot. The amount of active ingredient cannot be compared!

You can buy it here. This is the cheapest price on the market. I buy there.

Potassium orotate

Its anabolic effect is not very pronounced, although it does occur, because Potassium orotate influences metabolic processes in the body by participating in the synthesis of new protein molecules (cell level DNA and RNA). Thus, it influences protein synthesis.

But this is not its main function. IT IS NEEDED TO STRENGTHEN THE HEART MUSCLE WHEN GAINING WEIGHT FAST! This is its main purpose.

It is difficult for the body to adapt to a new weight (especially the heart, which now has to work harder to supply all this “economy” with much more blood), so it is necessary to help it with this by taking potassium orotate. This is especially true during a steroid cycle, when it comes to extremely rapid weight gain.

It also helps patients with coronary heart disease, hypertension, arrhythmia and other diseases of the heart muscle.

There are NO ANALOGUES to this drug in sports nutrition, so when on a course of steroids or with heart disease, it is simply necessary.

Release form: tablets 500 mg;

Average price: in Moscow for 2015 - from 120 to 200 rubles for 30 tablets of 0.5 g;

Reception scheme:

• 1 tablet (0.5 g) 3-4 times a day 1 hour before meals;
• Course 21-24 days;

Safinor

Despite the fact that it is an adaptogen, I decided to classify it as an anabolizer, because... It contains potassium orotate, which strengthens the heart muscle.

The drug, like potassium orotate, helps the body adapt to new weight if it has jumped sharply (especially when taking anabolic steroids).

Includes a collection of various types of herbs, inosine and, in fact, potassium orotate itself. This is a complex drug. It also optimizes cardiac activity, which is very important for bodybuilders.

Safinor is already quite problematic to get in pharmacies. I last bought it in 2013. Then I didn’t see it. Although the loss is not big. It is quite possible to get by with an adaptogen and potassium orotate.

Average price: in Moscow for 2015 - from 50 to 200 rubles per pack of tablets.

Reception scheme:

• Orally, after meals, 1-2 tablets 2-4 times a day, for 1-5 weeks;
• The course can be repeated after a 3-week break;

Methionine

This essential amino acid actively affects metabolism, therefore it is important for anabolism (growth). Activates the action of hormones, vitamins (B12, C and folic acid) and enzymes.

Methionine can accelerate liver recovery (hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc.). It is also useful for poisoning with various poisons such as alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, as well as uncontrolled use of ORAL STEROIDS.

So, if any of you throw in danabol (methandrostenolone) or stanazolol without really thinking, then you simply need methionine.

Release form: tablets 250 mg;

Average price: in Moscow for 2015 - from 50 to 150 rubles for 50 tablets of 0.25 g;

Reception scheme:

• 4 tablets (0.25 g) 2 times a day with or after meals;
• The course is 10–30 days or 10 days with 10-day breaks;

Ekdisten

It would be more logical to classify this drug as an adaptogen (I’ll talk about them later), but it produces an anabolic effect, albeit a weak one.

Once upon a time, this drug made a big splash in the sports world. It was said that this drug, obtained from the roots of Raponticum safflower (Leuzea safflower), can have the same anabolic effect as steroids, only not as pronounced (3-5 times weaker). How does it affect muscles?

The principle of action is very similar to steroids. Ecdysterone binds to receptors on the membranes of muscle cells and is then transferred to the cell nucleus, where it triggers the copying of information from DNA necessary for protein synthesis. This mechanism is identical to the mechanism of action of steroids.

Only ecdysterone is not a steroid, and therefore does not have androgenic properties, which carry with it a number of side effects: acne, stress on the liver, aromatization with female hormones, etc. On the contrary, it improves liver function. Not a drug, but some kind of find, it would seem. But why do so few people take it?

Yes, because it is VERY WEAK, much weaker than stated. When conducting research by our and Czechoslovakian scientists, a very weak anabolic effect was revealed, and when using 200 mg of ecdisthene per day, there were no results at all in athletes, so you should not expect any miracle from it. Everything in our world is balanced.

Why did I include it in the list of pharmaceutical anabolic drugs? Yes, because I believe that you need to start SMALL, and not shoot sparrows with a bazooka.

You should not take anabolic steroids, growth hormone or insulin until you have tried legal, “easier” drugs.

Many beginners who have not yet learned how to build muscle mass on their own immediately start taking anabolic steroids. They are looking for something to throw away and get stuck, instead of learning to adapt to stress naturally, thereby increasing possible progress in the long term.

Therefore, it’s worth trying ecdisten first to feel a pleasant, albeit small, surge of strength.

It is very difficult to get it in pharmacies, but if you find it, try it.

Release form: In tablets of 0.005 g (5 mg), in a package - 30 pieces;

Reception scheme:

• Before meals, 10-20 mg 3 times a day;
• The course of treatment is 15-20 days;
• If necessary, it can be repeated after a 1-2 week break;

Carnitine

Or carnitine hydrochloride. Essentially, this is simply TRANSPORT for our fatty acids to the energy stations of the cell - the mitochondria, where they are “burned” to create energy (ATP).

That is why it is positioned as a fat burning supplement, but this is not entirely correct. CARNITINE DOES NOT BURN FAT, but it only facilitates this process when there is a diet (lack of calories in the diet).

Carnitine is a dietary supplement that stimulates ENERGY METABOLISM in the cell. If you are on a diet, then you lose weight easier, if you are in the phase of gaining muscle mass, then your performance is higher.

So why did I include this drug in the category of anabolizers? Yes, because, in addition to stimulating energy metabolism, it also increases the secretion of enzymes involved in digestion. This leads to better protein digestibility and creates a POSITIVE NITROGEN BALANCE.

From my own experience I can say that carnitine works well. IT WILL NOT REPLACE A DIET, but it can help you get into even better shape.

Release form: bottles of 20% solution, 100 or 25 ml;

Reception scheme:

• 1 teaspoon 3 times a day, diluted with water, tea or juice half an hour before meals;
• Course 3-4 weeks;

You can buy the best L-carnitine, in my opinion, at the best price in this store.

Riboxin

Description of the medicine: the second name is inosine. Available in tablets containing 200 mg of inosine. In addition to pharmacies, you can purchase it in sports nutrition and dietary supplement stores. However, the pharmaceutical drug is 3-4 times cheaper than sports dietary supplements with a similar composition.

Indications for use (in medicine): coronary heart disease, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, liver pathologies.

In sports and bodybuilding: prevention of myocardial dystrophy under heavy loads, heart rhythm disturbances in an athlete, improvement of endurance by improving the nutrition of the heart. It has an antihypoxic effect, improves oxygen transport to the heart.

Contraindications: gout and renal failure.

Reception and dosage for bodybuilders: 2 g per day. Divide 3-4 times, take tablets an hour before meals.

Side effects: exceeding the recommended dosage may cause bradycardia. In case of intolerance to the drug, skin itching and rash appear; in this case, the drug must be discontinued.

Features: recommended for intense cardio and during the drying period. To increase the effect, it can be combined with potassium orotate. This combination is widely used during the period of gaining muscle mass and drying the body before competitions.

Creatine and its derivatives

This is not a drugstore supplement, but I decided to include it on the list for two reasons.

First of all, it DOES WORK FOR MOST people, but not for everyone (it doesn't work for about 30% of athletes)! And secondly, this is one of the cheapest sports supplements in bodybuilding.

Approximately 98% of creatine is found in our muscles . When taking creatine, muscles become more massive, voluminous and strong. Creatine stores water.

Muscle fibers thicken due to the deposition of additional protein on their walls, i.e. muscle mass grows.

Just don't get confused. Water does not accumulate between muscle fibers, as happens when taking steroids or cortisone, but inside the muscle fibers, which promotes anabolism (growth) in muscle cells.

Here is a very detailed, cool article about this supplement: creatine monohydrate: what is it for. I'm sure you'll learn a lot of new things from there. I will not dwell on it in detail here.

I take creatine during the muscle building phase. The muscles become fuller, the strength actually increases a little. The supplement is definitely worthy of your attention.

Buy CREATINE MONOHYDRATE! This is creatine in its pure form, without any transport systems, which are, in fact, simple carbohydrates that raise insulin levels in the blood. So save yourself money.

Release form: capsules, powder

Average price: In Moscow, the average price for 1 kg of creatine monohydrate ranges from 700 to 2000 rubles.

Reception scheme:

• 1 teaspoon (5 g) with sweet juice (preferably grape) in the morning on an empty stomach immediately after waking up;
• Course 60 days;
• The course can be repeated, but not earlier than 30-60 days after the end of the previous course;

Trimethazine

Description: medicine for the treatment of heart diseases, capsules containing the active ingredient of the same name.

Purpose: treatment of angina pectoris, cerebral ischemia, vestibular disorders. Has an antihypoxic effect.

Indications in bodybuilding: conditions accompanied by impaired cerebral circulation, due to which the training process is complicated. Hypoxia, intense exercise in conditions of insufficient ventilation.

Dosage regimen for bodybuilding: one capsule twice a day.

Contraindications: intolerance to the composition of the drug, acute liver or kidney failure.

Side effects: nausea, dizziness, asthenic syndrome, headache and confusion. The effects are reversible after discontinuation of the medication.

Note: Trimethazine is widely used in bodybuilding, but the actual benefits of this drug are greatly overestimated. It is advisable to take it for cerebrovascular accidents and angina pectoris in a bodybuilder to stabilize well-being and improve exercise tolerance, but for a healthy person this medicine is useless.

Advantages and disadvantages

The undeniable advantages of medicines include:

1. Pharmaceutical quality of drugs controlled by the state
2. Selecting an alternative at a reduced price
3. Low chance of side effects

The main feature is that injection and intravenous drugs are absorbed by the body by 90-100%. Whereas the bioavailability of similar oral medications (tablets, capsules, powders, in liquid form) is 50-60%.

But there are also disadvantages :

1. Relatively low dosages of active substance
2. Inconvenient form of application - intramuscular or intravenous (injections and droppers), which for many is a deterrent
3. Unjustifiably high price of some drugs in terms of price-effect ratio

Pentoxifylline (Agapurine)

Description: a drug from the group of peripheral vasodilators, contains 400 mg of pentoxifylline in one tablet. Used to reduce blood viscosity.

Indications for use: dysfunction of the inner ear, damage to peripheral arteries, angioneuropathy, atherosclerosis and trophic ulcers.

Principle of action: reduces blood viscosity, inhibits platelet aggregation, improves blood microcirculation by dilating peripheral vessels. Dilates blood vessels, improves exercise tolerance.

Place in bodybuilding and sports: used to improve blood supply to muscles during high-repetition strength training. The medicine allows you to achieve a pumping effect. Long-term use has a positive effect on the development of the capillary network in the loaded muscles, which improves the further effect of muscle hypertrophy for the bodybuilder.

Dosages in bodybuilding: on the day of training, 2 tablets after main meals (3 times a day), on rest days - 1 tablet after meals three times a day. The duration of the course is 1 month. Then a break of at least a month is required.

Contraindications: cerebral hemorrhage, acute myocardial infarction, gastric ulcer, retinal hemorrhage.

Adverse reactions of the body: diarrhea, stomach pain, dizziness, decreased blood pressure. If you are prone to hypotension, it is recommended to stop taking the drug.

Tips and Recommendations: Best taken with Vitamin PP. It should be remembered that Agapurin does not cause muscles to grow, but only fill with blood. Taking the medication provides an excellent foundation for future muscle hypertrophy, but Agapurin itself does not stimulate this process.

Clomiphene

Description: 50 mg tablets. Commercial names: Clomid, Clostilbegit. A drug for women's health, an anti-estrogen.

Purpose: stimulation of ovulation, secondary amenorrhea, oligospermia in men.

Principle of action on the body: reduces the level of estrogen in the body, but is not a hormonal drug.

In bodybuilding: blocks receptors sensitive to the action of estrogen, accordingly, increases the activity of the testicles and the production of their own testosterone, which ensures success in bodybuilding and powerlifting. The main direction is the effect on the pituitary gland.

Dosage for bodybuilding: 1 tablet per day for 14 days. If tolerance is normal and there are no negative reactions, you can increase the dosage for the widow, but before taking it you should consult a urologist.

Contraindications: dysfunction of the pituitary gland, dysfunction of the thyroid gland, hormone-dependent tumors.

Negative reactions of the body: hot flashes, cramps, gynecomastia, liver dysfunction.

Precautions: included in the list of prohibited substances for athletes, and is regarded as doping. It should be noted that the active substance is detected in the body even three months after the end of the course.

Result of use: antiestrogens are widely popular among bodybuilders, as they help make the body drier and more sculpted. Such products speed up the drying process, and at the same time increase endurance and strength.

Results

In achieving sports results, an athlete must follow several rules.

Firstly, he should get a lot of rest, since during sleep, recovery processes are launched in the body.

Secondly, meals should be varied and frequent so that catabolic processes do not start in the athlete’s body.

Thirdly, the athlete must nourish his body, exhausted by serious stress, with whole complexes of drugs, which should include anabolic agents and vitamin complexes in order to replenish the body’s needs with all the necessary nutrients. The drugs covered in this article will help you achieve the desired result and maintain health.

Tamoxifen

Description: another anti-estrogen with a different active ingredient in the composition. Available in tablets, commercial name - Nolvadex. Indications and contraindications are the same as for the drug Clomiphene.

Feature: unlike Clomiphene, it demonstrates less selectivity and blocks estrogen-sensitive receptors throughout the body. For comparison: Clomiphene in men affects primarily the pituitary gland and testicles.

Differences from Clomiphene: Tamoxifen is more toxic; taking this drug is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Advice: taking antiestrogens is a serious test for a bodybuilder’s body. The decision to start therapy must be weighed, so it is recommended to consult a doctor.

"Metformin"

It is considered the best drug for weight gain. The mechanism of its action is based on its ability to prevent the absorption of glucose and its better utilization in muscle tissue. The product also accelerates the process of transition of glucose into glycogen. Thanks to this drug, athletes' weight stabilizes. Before use, you should consult your doctor.

Clenbuterol

Description: for the treatment of bronchial asthma, contains 40 mcg of the active substance of the same name in one tablet. Belongs to the group of adrenergic drugs. Dispensed strictly according to prescription.

Purpose: bronchial asthma, obstruction and emphysema.

In bodybuilding: used for quick drying of the body and weight loss. It is especially popular among women as it does not cause androgenic side effects. Also increases strength and endurance, reduces apatite, provides rapid muscle drying and promotes activation of the nervous system, increasing concentration.

Principle of action on the body: excites beta-2 adrenergic receptors, stimulates the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which leads to the launch of the process of lipolysis (breakdown of fats). Clenbuterol affects the secretion of thyroid hormones, increasing their release, thereby triggering natural fat burning mechanisms.

Contraindications: thyrotoxicosis, aortic valve stenosis, tachycardia, acute infarction.

Side effects: tachycardia, anxiety, hand tremors, insomnia, headache and nausea.

Dosages for bodybuilders: initial dosage – 20 mcg, then over four days the dose is increased by 20 mcg, respectively, on the 5th day 100 mcg of the drug is taken. From the sixth to the twelfth day, 120 mcg is taken, the next day - 80 mcg, then 40 mcg. After a two-week course, a break is taken for 2 weeks, as the body gets used to this medicine.

Features: doping is detected in the blood even 2 weeks after the last dose . The medicine should not be combined with alcohol, as alcohol increases the risk of side effects.

How do hormone pills work?

Pharmacy preparations for gaining muscle mass in tablet form based on hormones, combined with intensive training, have the following effect on the athletes’ body:

• Increases the need for food (increases appetite).

• Accelerates the body's metabolic processes, removing toxins.
• Increases strength and endurance.

Thanks to all this, an athlete can easily gain from 5 to 19 kg of mass in a month. Hormonal drugs should not be taken uncontrolled, as this can lead to disruption of the adrenal glands, thyroid gland, pancreas, and cause infertility. It is also prohibited to increase the dose or extend the course of treatment without consulting a doctor.

Glutamic acid (L-glutamine)

Description: antihypoxic agent, available in tablets of 250 mg of glutamic acid.

Action: glutamine is a non-essential amino acid that takes part in metabolic and oxidative processes. Accelerates metabolism, has a detoxifying effect, increases resistance to hypoxia. Stimulates the process of synthesis of acetylcholine and ATP, the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles, and promotes better penetration of potassium ions into muscle fibers.

Purpose: epilepsy, depressive states in chronic diseases, myopathy and cerebral palsy.

In bodybuilding: used to improve brain activity and increase endurance. Minimizes the risk of overtraining syndrome and stimulates weight gain. According to some data, the combination of glutamic acid with whey protein provides better gains in lean muscle mass compared to the results of consuming protein alone.

Contraindications: fever, increased excitability of the nervous system, renal and liver failure, stomach ulcers, leukopenia and anemia.

Dosage regimen: 500 mg 2-3 times a day. You can take the product for a long time, up to six months.

Side effects: well tolerated by the body. Long-term use of large doses can cause headaches, insomnia, and decreased hemoglobin.

Fat burners

Fat burners are drugs (or a type of sports nutrition) that are designed to reduce (“burn”) excess fat deposits.

Of course, I will say something about these drugs, but my attitude towards them is twofold.

These drugs will indeed help those who have already made the most of their diet and training program aimed at losing weight, but DO NOT REPLACE training and diet.

In fact, only fat burners based on ephedrine have shown their effectiveness, but since 2013 it has been banned in the Russian Federation, so they cannot be used.

I'll tell you about others.

Caffeine and guarana

They stimulate the central nervous system (CNS) and the production of adrenaline, which triggers fat burning in our body.

Guarana is the same as coffee, only guarana beans contain twice as much caffeine as coffee beans. The positive “invigorating” effect of these supplements has been proven, so if an increased dose of caffeine is found in the blood of an Olympic athlete, he will be disqualified for doping.

You can buy inexpensive and working caffeine using this link.

And here is my article about how to use caffeine for weight loss.

You can also achieve a fat-burning effect by using L-carnitine along with your diet. Carnitine works great together with a BEACH diet. Although, in fact, with any diet.

You won’t be able to buy anything else at the pharmacy for a fat-burning effect. All sorts of “Shlyapaslim” teas, etc. I don't take it into account, because I consider their use to be complete idiocy and a waste of money.

Fish fat

A good and really working supplement. There are a lot of useful properties. Reduces the risk of developing blood clots, inflammatory processes, the risk of cancer, strengthens the heart and blood vessels, but most importantly for us, it promotes the GROWTH of DRY MUSCLE MASS.

I have a detailed article about fish oil, its benefits and harms.

Release form: capsules, pure fat;

Average price: In Moscow, the average price for 100 capsules of fish oil ranges from 30 to 600 rubles. If you take specialized sports supplements, it will be more expensive.

Reception scheme:

• 3-5 capsules x 3 times a day with meals;
• Course 30-40 days;
• The course can be repeated 3-4 times a year;

Calcium glycerophosphate

Description: mineral supplement in 200 mg tablets. Stimulates anabolic processes and is used as a general tonic for conditions accompanied by calcium and vitamin D deficiency.

Purpose: hypocalcemia, rickets in children, fatigue, exhaustion of the nervous system.

In bodybuilding: as a general strengthening and tonic, as part of the treatment of overtraining syndrome. It increases appetite, so it is used by athletes during the period of weight gain.

Doses: two tablets morning and evening. It is recommended to use in courses of 20 days twice a year.

Contraindications: atherosclerosis, excess calcium, severe forms of renal failure, thrombosis and increased blood clotting.

Adverse reactions: hypercalcemia with long-term use of dosages 3-4 times higher than recommended. In the first days, diarrhea and nausea are possible.

Features: Should not be considered as a muscle growth aid for bodybuilding. The medicine is recommended as an additional source of calcium, and not as a mandatory sports supplement, which can affect the training process and the results of exercise.

Introduction

Most athletes prefer to train naturally, that is, without the use of anabolic steroids. To increase the effectiveness of training and speed up recovery processes, they often resort to the use of various sports supplements. For the same purpose, a number of medicines are widely used that can be purchased at a regular pharmacy and are sold mainly without a prescription. But again, despite the fact that pharmaceutical drugs are relatively harmless and very accessible, it is important to strictly follow the instructions for use. And before you start taking them, consult your doctor regarding their use.

ADVICE. You can get acquainted with the main sports supplements that are used in sports in our article “What is sports nutrition”. In it, for each supplement you will find a link to an extended article, and you will be able to familiarize yourself in more detail with what this or that sports supplement is. We also strongly recommend that you study the articles “Principles of Proper Nutrition” and “Proper Nutrition for Sports.” And we generally recommend that you start reading this article by first studying the material “Nutrition for gaining muscle mass,” since in this process nutrition plays a primary role, and sports supplements and pharmaceutical drugs fade into the background.

Since our task today is to consider pharmaceutical drugs through the prism of gaining muscle mass, this article will present only those that in one way or another affect its growth, regardless of the mechanism of action. The actual principle of action and the nature of the effect on the body will be given for each drug in the appropriate paragraph. Also, according to all the traditions of describing pharmaceuticals, we will provide contraindications, side effects, composition, release form and, of course, pay attention primarily to the benefits and harms of pharmaceutical drugs.

IMPORTANT. This article is based on materials from the book by the author Davidenko F. Yu. “ PROFILES OF ANABOLISM” .

Glycine

Description: the product is an aminoacetic acid, available in 100 mg tablets. Refers to nootropics - drugs that affect the functioning of the nervous system.

Indications: periods of intense physical and psycho-emotional stress, vegetative-vascular dystonia, insomnia, neurosis.

In sports: the medicine is used to reduce the load on the central nervous system, restore sleep and wakefulness, and improve cognitive functions.

Principle of action: neurotransmitter that regulates metabolic processes in the central nervous system. Restores metabolic processes occurring in the brain, has an antitoxic effect, and prevents the development of nervous exhaustion. In bodybuilding it is often considered to prevent overtraining syndrome.

Doses for bodybuilding: one tablet three times a day. The course lasts 4 weeks.

Contraindications: individual intolerance, childhood.

Adverse reactions: not identified, the drug is well tolerated by the body. In some cases, an allergic reaction may develop.

Note: the medicine is not included in the top mandatory drugs for athletes. It is used rather for the prevention of various disorders of the nervous system. The sedative effect is weak, the medicine does not have a special effect on the training process in bodybuilding.

Fish fat

The drug is a source of Omega-3 fatty acids. The main beneficial components of fish oil are Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins A and D. Fish oil is of key importance in bodybuilding. Without sufficient Omega-3 intake into the body, it is quite difficult to achieve the desired results in gaining muscle mass and increasing strength. With a lack of essential fatty acids, the athlete's results and achievements will always be lower than they could be with fish oil consumption. Accordingly, a course of pharmaceutical drugs for weight gain must necessarily be supplemented with sources of fish oil in any form of release.

Pharmacological group: vitamins, vitamin-like substances and drugs that primarily affect tissue metabolic processes.

Active ingredient: fish oil.

Pharmacological action: hypolipidemic, antiaggregation, see summary below.

Objectives in sports: accelerating the growth of lean muscle mass and reducing body fat, increasing overall tone and endurance, increasing the production of hormones, including testosterone.

Composition: depending on the manufacturer, 1 capsule contains 100/250/500/790 or 850 mg of active substance. Capsule shell: gelatin, glycerol, sorbitol, water.

Indications: for the prevention and treatment of hypo- and vitamin deficiency. As a general strengthening agent, to accelerate the healing of bone fractures.

Contraindications: individual intolerance.

Side effects: gastrointestinal disorders - nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea.

Interaction: no features.

Directions for use: orally.

Overdose: stomach upsets.

Release form: transparent gelatin capsules, 10 pieces in a blister, 5, 7 or 10 blisters in a pack.

Analogs: fish oil from cod, pike, crucian carp, perch, catfish, haddock, blue whiting, grenadier.

(Israel), Teva Private Co. LTD" (Hungary), "Del Rios" (Russia).

Shelf life: 2 years.

Storage conditions: store in a dry place, protected from light, at a temperature of 15-25 degrees Celsius.

Summary. As we've already discussed, Omega-3 fatty acids have a wide range of beneficial effects that are fundamental to bodybuilding. Here are some of them: increasing metabolic rate, accelerating muscle growth and reducing fat tissue. Increased sensitivity to insulin, improved blood circulation. The drug improves overall tone and increases endurance, reduces catabolism and accelerates recovery. Improves brain function and improves mood. The brain matter consists of 60% fat, and especially needs Omega-3 fatty acids. It is an excellent source of energy that does not pose the risk of increasing fat tissue. Enhances the body's production of hormones, including the most important testosterone in bodybuilding, and at the same time, prevents the secretion of harmful cortisol. Fish oil is of exceptional importance as a drug for muscle growth. It can rightfully be called magical, and if you like, a miraculous substance that provides great assistance in the process of building muscles.

Eltacin

Description: tablets contain 75 mg of glycine, cystine and glutamic acid. Combined preparation from a mixture of non-essential acids.

Purpose: heart failure, neurocirculatory dystonia, chronic physical overstrain.

In sports: used during periods of intense exercise, recommended for children to prevent asthenia. The drug prevents the development of myocardial hypertrophy in professional athletes, helps to recover more quickly after exercise, and protects against emotional burnout.

Properties: the product has an antioxidant and antihypoxic effect, stimulates metabolic processes in the central nervous system, increases myocardial contractility. It can be considered as an adjuvant for people with chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system who plan to engage in sports, as the medicine increases tolerance to physical activity.

Directions for use for athletes: 1 tablet three times a day after meals. The drug is available in the form of sublingual tablets and should be dissolved rather than swallowed.

Contraindications: age under 11 years, intolerance to the components of the composition.

Side effects: the drug is safe, well tolerated by the body, does not cause side effects, so it can be used for a long time.

Note: a fairly good prophylactic drug, which, in general, is useless for existing disorders. The medicine can be used by athletes during the drying period, when the frequency and intensity of cardio exercise increases.

The benefits of pharmacy tinctures

It will be useful for people working out in the gym to use so-called adaptogens - substances that have a mild stimulating effect on the human body. These include a variety of pharmaceutical tinctures.

succinic acid

It has a tonic effect on the human body and improves well-being.

Thanks to it, blood circulation is also accelerated, salts accumulated in the body are washed away, stones are removed, and susceptibility to stress is reduced.

Ginseng root tincture

This natural stimulant is known for the following properties:

• Normalization of nervous system functions.
• Increased appetite, performance, resistance to heavy physical activity.
• Protect the cardiovascular system.
• Strengthens the immune system.

Eleutherococcus senticosus is also worthy of attention, which is good due to its positive effect on the liver, vision, and blood supply to the brain.

Chinese lemongrass

It has the ability to increase the conductivity of nerve impulses and the sensitivity of nerve endings, which has a positive effect on neuromuscular connections, which in turn are responsible for muscle growth.

Ginseng

Description: a favorite plant of Eastern medicine, used as a general strengthening and tonic. A natural adaptogen, available in different forms - powder, alcohol tincture, tablets with ginseng root extract.

Purpose: for asthenia, hypotension, depression and apathy - as a tonic. Also used for decreased potency in men.

In sports and bodybuilding: for chronic fatigue, decreased performance, asthenia. The product is recommended as a kind of energy drink before intense exercise, if there is no strength. The medicine can be taken during periods of heavy training to reduce the negative effect on the nervous system.

Contraindications: high blood pressure, ginseng intolerance.

Adverse Reactions: Insomnia if taken too high a dose before bed. Adverse reactions are detected very rarely.

Tincture dosage for athletes: 30-40 drops of medicine twice a day, or before training. It is not recommended to use before bedtime. The best effect is achieved when used in autumn and winter, when the body is weakened.

The principle of action of the product: a powerful natural adaptogen, stimulates the restoration of the nervous system, increases vascular tone, increases energy reserves, and accelerates the recovery process. Normalizes carbohydrate metabolism, so it can be considered as an aid to weight loss.

Features: ginseng is the safest natural energy drink for athletes, and tops the list of pharmaceutical products for sports. This is not a panacea; ginseng does not help increase muscle mass, but it does give strength and energy. It does not cause side effects, and has a specific effect on healthy people - it increases the body’s protective functions and increases energy potential, without affecting blood pressure and heartbeat. The medicine is the most famous remedy for increasing libido.

"Diabeton MV"

This pharmaceutical drug is one of the strongest anabolic steroids. Bodybuilders use it to maintain anabolism at a high level during the off-season. In terms of effectiveness, the drug is close to insulin injections, and in terms of the overall effect, it is similar to Methandrostenolone. This medicine allows athletes to gain weight very quickly.

It is produced in the form of 30 milligram tablets. They start with a dosage of 30 milligrams per day, which, if necessary, in the next course (one period lasts two months) can be increased to 60 milligrams. Diabeton MV should not be taken with other pharmaceutical medications. Drink it during breakfast once a day.

The anabolic effect of the drug is to stimulate the production of the anabolic hormone insulin. In order to achieve an effective effect of the medicine, doctors recommend six meals a day with a low amount of fat and an increased amount of protein. The drug is completely safe, but during the Diabeton course it is prohibited to follow a low-calorie diet, otherwise side effects are possible, especially hypoglycemia.

conclusions

The listed pharmaceutical drugs were created specifically to solve certain problems, so they cannot be considered as safe additives to an athlete’s diet.

The finished TOP 5 approved pharmaceutical drugs for athletes may look like this:

• potassium orotate + riboxin – to improve oxygen supply to the heart and stimulate metabolism;
• pentoxifylline + vitamin PP – to improve blood supply to the athlete’s muscles during intense strength training;
• Clomiphene or Tamoxifen - to stimulate the production of your own testosterone by reducing the sensitivity of estrogen receptors;
• tincture or extract of ginseng - as an energy drink before intense training, to strengthen the athlete’s nervous system;
• Eltacin - to prevent overtraining and asthenia during periods of increased stress, to protect the nervous system.

It is important to consider possible adverse reactions and contraindications before starting to use pharmaceutical products. Side effects require attention; if they occur, you should consult a doctor.

You can supplement the list with any B complex of vitamins - they strengthen the nervous system, take part in metabolic processes, have a beneficial effect on the entire body and stimulate muscle growth, improving protein absorption.

What groups of medications are used?

Pharmaceutical preparations for gaining muscle mass are not only dietary supplements that directly promote muscle growth, but also products that simultaneously perform other important functions.

Anabolic nonsteroids are substances of animal or, less commonly, plant origin that have a high level of biological activity. It is on their basis that muscle growth is maximized.

A good gain of muscle mass is unthinkable without the use of the following groups of drugs:

• Vitamins.
• Minerals.
• Coenzymes.
• Adaptogens.
• Microelements.
• Antihypoxants.
• Psychoenergizers.
• Anabolizing drugs.
• Immunomodulators.
• Macroergics.
• Regulators of neuropsychic status.
• Hematopoiesis and circulation stimulants.
• Amino acids.