PCT - Post cycle therapy
PCT - (from English Post cycle therapy, translated as "Post-course therapy") is a complex of drugs and sports supplements that are used in bodybuilding and strength sports in order to minimize side effects and complications after a cycle of steroid hormones or prohormones. Post-course therapy is especially important when high doses of hormones are used or two or more anabolic drugs are taken simultaneously.

PCT literally means therapy after the cycle, but for convenience, other components have been included that are used from the very beginning of the cycle and are not formally included in the PCT.

The goals of post-course therapy

  • The hormonal system of the body
  • Restoring the natural hormonal background - maintaining the gained muscle mass
  • Fighting the phenomenon of rollback
  • Prevention of feminization (gynecomastia).
  • Prevention of testicular atrophy and oligospermia
  • Prevention and reduction of other side effects
The main components of the PCT
Antiestrogens are divided into two classes:

  • Aromatase inhibitors (Letrozole, Anastrozole and others) - during the course, to block the estrogen effects if aromatized drugs are used (testosterone, sustanon, methandrostenolone and very slightly - boldenone and fluoxymesterone). Proviron is considered by many to be a weak aromatase inhibitor.
  • Estrogen receptor blockers (Tamoxifen, Clomiphene) or Toremifene - after the end of the course for 2-3 weeks, to restore the secretion of their own testosterone. These drugs occupy a key position and are extremely important. They are used after courses of any complexity.

Chorionic gonadotropin - helps prevent the development of testicular atrophy and desensitization of Leydig cells. It is used in heavy courses lasting more than 6 weeks. The administration begins at 2-4 weeks of the course (or the last 3-5 weeks) and continues until the withdrawal of the anabolic drug, then the transition to estrogen receptor blockers occurs.

Cabergoline (Dostinex) is an inhibitor of prolactin secretion. It is used on a course of progestin drugs (nandrolone, trenbolone), which increase the level of prolactin, responsible for most of the side effects of these drugs. It is usually taken at a dose of 0.25 mg every 4 days throughout the course.

Additional components
  • Testosterone boosters - help restore the hormonal background. The start of administration occurs at the time of complete elimination of steroids and continues after it for another 2-3 weeks with a gradual decrease in the dose.
  • Hepatoprotectors are used to protect the liver from the toxic effects of certain steroids. The start of the reception is 2 weeks of the cycle, the end is 3 weeks after the cycle. Some prefer to apply them after the course. In the West, this class of drugs is not considered seriously at all, since the effectiveness is poorly proven.
  • Omega-3 is used to normalize the lipid profile and cholesterol levels, protect the heart and blood vessels. It is taken during the entire course and for another 2 weeks after it.
  • Growth hormone and Peptides are excellent tools for maintaining gained muscle mass, which can also alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, depression and cardiovascular complications after a cycle of anabolic steroids. However, growth hormone preparations are quite expensive, and therefore are not always included in post-course therapy. A standard course of growth hormone is administered during or after the completion of AAC intake. Read also building a course with peptides.
  • Cortisol blockers - these supplements suppress catabolism and keep muscles from breaking down as much as possible. The start of taking these supplements should occur at the end of the course of steroids and last 3-4 weeks. Unfortunately, there are practically no highly effective tools in this category. Of the mandatory ones: ascorbic acid, protein, BCAA.
"Attention" Zinc preparations and most herbal supplements are ineffective. Proviron is not the optimal drug for PCT.

All components of the PCB are compatible with each other. Sometimes, prohormones are offered as PCT, but this is not correct, because prohormones are essentially the same steroids. Thus, you prolong the course, as a result of which you delay the restoration of the natural hormonal background.
Protocol and dosages of PCT
Post-course therapy with estrogen blockers is always carried out and only after the elimination of anabolic hormones! According to Michael Scally MD, a global specialist in hormone replacement therapy, this is a key condition for the successful restoration of the pituitary-hypothalamus testicular arch. It is highly desirable to conduct an analysis for total testosterone to make sure that the level is low and only then start taking drugs of this group. According to different authors, the duration varies from 2 to 5 weeks, depending on the degree of suppression of the pituitary gland.

Dosages of Clomiphene (days*dosage).

  • 3*150/12*100/15*50/15*25 - a very difficult course.
  • 15*100/15*50/15*25 - a hard course.
  • 30*50/15*25 - the average course.
  • 15*50/15*25/15*25 (once every two days) - an easy course.
  • 15*50/15*25 - oxandrolone, methandrostenolone, methenolone, stanozolol, oral turinabol (normal).
Toremifene Dosages (days*dosage)

  • 3*120/12*60/15*30/15*15 - a very difficult course.
  • 15*60/15*30/15*15 - a hard course.
  • 30*30/15*15 - the average course.
  • 15*30/15*15/15*15 (once every two days) - an easy course.
  • 15*30/15*15 - oxandrolone, methandrostenolone, methenolone, stanozolol, oral turinabol (normal).

Tamoxifen Dosages (days * dosage) - "Attention" SHOULD NOT BE USED AFTER COURSES OF Nandrolone and Trenbolone!!!

  • 3*80/12*40/15*20/15*10 - a very difficult course.
  • 15*40/15*20/15*10 - a hard course.
  • 30*20/15*10 - the average course.
  • 15*20/15*10/15*10 (once every two days) - an easy course.
  • 15*20/15*10 - oxandrolone, methandrostenolone, methenolone, stanozolol, oral turinabol (normal).

Other drugs:

  • to prevent prolactin spikes (after courses of Nandrolone and Trenbolone), Cabergoline (Dostinex, Alactin, Agalates, Bergolac) is used, 0.25 mg once every four days, for a month and a half;
  • it will not hurt: Vitamin E - 200-400 IU per day in the first month of PCT, Zinc - 50 mg per day, Tribulus terresteris, 750-1000 mg in terms of furastanolic saponins.
A list of necessary analyses from sasha.
PCT by Dr. Michael Scally
PCT by Dr. Michael Scally
Post-course therapy by Dr. Michael Scally, published in William Llewelly's Anabolics 10th edition. The scheme was developed by the doctors of the Program for Wellness Restoration (PoWeR) and has been successfully used to treat hypogonadism after androgen replacement therapy. The effectiveness is confirmed by a clinical study.[4] This therapy is recommended after each "heavy" course of anabolic steroids, if gonadotropin was not used during the course. The original scheme was updated in 2010, but according to Dr. Michael Scally, it has changed slightly. Now it is proposed to use gonadotropin at a dose of 2000 mg instead of 2500 for 20 days and the dosage of tamoxifen is 20 mg.

The total duration of therapy is 45 days.

  • Day 1-20: 10 injections of HCG of 2000 IU, every other day, before bedtime.
  • Day 1-30: Clomid (clomiphene citrate), 50 mg, 2 times a day.
  • Day 1-45: Nolvadex (tamoxifen citrate), 20 mg, 2 times a day.
"Attention" It should be noted that the least successful PCT program, because HCG is involved; it cannot be used on PCT in the absence of real medical indications.

Treatment begins after the withdrawal of the anabolic drug. The approximate withdrawal time is shown in the figure. If HCG was administered during the course, then it is not required as part of the PCT, since the secretory function of the testicles will be preserved
PKT from Anton Yuzhakov
Post-course therapy begins after the end of the action of the drugs (you need to look at the half-life of the longest drug). Also, before starting PCT, it is necessary to determine the level of Estradiol and Prolactin. If estradiol is elevated, take aromatase inhibitors to lower estradiol, with elevated estradiol recovery will take longer. If you use cabergoline with increased prolactin, increased prolactin will also slow down recovery.

A weak course is one of two drugs.

  • Tamoxifen 20 days of 20 mg + 15 days of 10 mg
  • Clomiphene 20 days of 50 mg + 15 days of 25 mg
A strong course or a long one of two drugs.

  • Tamoxifen 20 days of 30 mg + 15 days of 20 mg + 10 days of 10 mg
  • Clomiphene 20 days of 100 mg + 15 days of 50 mg + 10 days of 25 mg
A very strong course of All drugs.

  • Tamoxifen – 20 days of 30 mg.
  • Clomiphene - 20 days of 100 mg. + 15 days of 50 mg + 10 days of 25 mg.
If there was a prolactin-boosting drug on the course, tamoxifen cannot be used
Protocol and dosages of PCT
The above is a classic course of testosterone enanthate with a switch in the last two weeks to Testosterone Propionate in order to maintain a constant level of testosterone. However, adequate pharmacological support can reduce the risk of side effects and significantly increase effectiveness.

  • Aromatase inhibitors - eliminate gynecomastia and increase testosterone concentration by blocking conversion to estrogens. It is necessary to use low dosages in order to keep the level of estrogenic hormones within the reference values. Other analogues can be used instead of anastrozole. It is advisable to perform tests for estrogens, on the basis of which the need for the use of IA is determined.
  • Gonadotropin helps to preserve the sensitivity of the testicles to endogenous gonadotropins. It has been scientifically proven that the use of gonadotropin on the course allows you to recover much faster. It is administered continuously on multi-month courses, while experts recommend taking a 2x week break after 3-5 weeks of use. However, there is also scientific evidence that the use of HCG on a course of steroids will necessarily cause an increase in estradiol in the blood to an exorbitant level, which in turn will provoke side effects, so most doctors absolutely do not justify the use of gonadotropin during a course of androgens.
  • Tamoxifen is the main drug for post-course therapy. It allows you to start the secretion of your own testosterone by blocking estrogen receptors in the pituitary gland, but clomiphene and toremiphene are more preferable options.
  • Growth hormone and peptides are secondary components necessary to suppress post-course catabolism.
If short esters with a fast half-life (for example, testosterone propionate) or oral medications are used at the end of the course, then the administration of gonadotropin and aromatase blockers stops along with the use of an anabolic drug. PCT with antiestrogens begins after 3-4 days, when the concentration of these drugs in the body is reduced to a minimum.
Progestin courses
  • As mentioned above, progestin drugs - deca, trenbolone have some progestogenic activity, which leads to an increase in prolactin levels, which reduces libido, fluid accumulation occurs, prolactin gynecomastia is possible. Cabergoline allows you to almost completely prevent these side effects.
  • Instead of tamoxifen, it is recommended to use clomid (available in pharmacies under the brand name Klostylbegit) or a more modern and safe toremifene (Farestone), due to the fact that tamoxifen increases the sensitivity of progesterone receptors.
  • An aromatase blocker is necessary because the course contains easily aromatized testosterone.
Anabolic drugs may only be used by a doctor's prescription and are contraindicated in children. The information provided does not call for the use or distribution of potent substances and is aimed solely at reducing the risk of complications and side effects.