Use of Dexamethasone in sports: effects, side effects, dosages

Author: Timko Ilya - master of the whole project and fitness trainer.
2014-11-19

Important! We do not advocate for the use of steroids and other potent substances. All information is provided so that those who still decide to take them can do so with minimal health risks.

Dexamethasone is one of the most powerful hormonal drugs based on glucocorticoids.

Glucocorticoids are synthetic drugs that are analogs of the endogenous (natural) hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. Thus, by using dexamethasone, you are essentially introducing synthetic adrenal hormones into your body.

In contrast to anabolic steroids, the use of glucocorticoids is much more dangerous and carries many serious side effects. However, dexamethasone is in high demand across all sports, especially in strength sports. Why is this so?

• First, this drug is much cheaper than anabolic steroids.
• Second, it is available in pharmacies without a prescription (although, theoretically, this is a violation).

Positive Qualities of the Drug

1. Anti-inflammatory effect

This is its most significant benefit in sports. There are no professional athletes who do not suffer from some joint or tendon pain. The primary reason for such pain is inflammation. Dexamethasone can literally relieve all joint pains within a day, regardless of where the inflammation is located or its cause. The effect of dexamethasone will be the same.

2. Water retention

At doses slightly above the minimum, dexamethasone retains water in the body. The higher the dosage, the more retention occurs. When the water retention is small (1-2 liters), it has a very positive effect on the joints. The joints are better lubricated, which further reduces inflammation and leads to a decrease or complete disappearance of pain. Additionally, better-lubricated joints wear out less.

However, if the dosages are excessive, water retention can easily turn from a positive to a negative effect. I have experienced this firsthand (with a retention of 3-4 liters). You become clumsy and slow-moving. Blood pressure may increase, leading to sleep problems, etc.

3. Increased Appetite

Personally, I've noticed an increase in appetite even at small doses, roughly 20% - 30%. You feel hungrier and eat more often. The more you eat, the faster you will recover between workouts. In general, the range of effects on the body from dexamethasone (as with any hormonal preparations) is very broad. But as athletes, we are only interested in the three properties mentioned above. So far, everything looks quite good, doesn't it? Appetite will increase, pain will disappear, joints will be better lubricated, and less prone to wear! Sounds great! But there are also side effects.

Negative Qualities of the Drug

1. Decreased Immunity

Glucocorticoids directly suppress the immune system. I would say this is the most significant side effect, especially for athletes. But there is good news: at moderate and below-average doses, this effect is either weakly expressed or not present at all.

2. Toxic Effects on the Stomach

This "side effect" occurs only if you take dexamethasone in tablet form. However, it is quite pronounced. Food will be digested much worse and slower. You may experience constant bloating. In some cases, ulcers or exacerbations of ulcers are also possible. Overall, when I took dexamethasone in tablets, I ended up hating it, despite having a fairly strong stomach.

Therefore, my advice to you: use dexamethasone only in ampoules. This will at least protect you from one of the side effects.

3. Protein Catabolism

In other words, dexamethasone will break down your muscles! Sounds ominous! In reality, it's not that scary. First of all, small doses have a rather weak effect on protein catabolism. But this effect can easily be countered by simply increasing your daily protein intake. Personally, when I took dexamethasone in both tablets and ampoules, I didn't notice any decrease in muscle mass at all.

Dosages

We've come to the most interesting part of the article. The annotation for dexamethasone indicates such a wide range of dosages that you absolutely don't understand how much to take. Moreover, it does not specify dosages for athletes, only various clinical cases. However, for sporting purposes, in most cases, dosages are often much lower than most of those indicated in the annotation.

If you want to reduce inflammation, joint pain, and have a bit of water retention – A MAXIMUM of 2 mg per day!

Tablets typically come in 0.5 mg of the active substance per tablet. Ampoules contain 4 mg in one ampoule. If you want to take 2 mg of dexamethasone per day, then:

• Either take 2 tablets in the morning and evening,
• Or one ampoule every 2 days.

But I advise you to start with lower dosages. Start with 1 mg per day:

• Either 1 tablet in the morning and evening,
• Or one ampoule every 4 days.

1 mg per day is significantly below average dosages. At these dosages, you should not experience any side effects. However, pain will decrease significantly, and your appetite will noticeably increase.

How long can it be used? That's a good question. It seems to me that at the dosages described above, it can be taken for up to 2 months. Yes, it is important to remember that this drug will suppress the production of your own corticosteroids. However, if your dosages do not exceed 2 mg per day, your body will recover fairly quickly and painlessly.

Conclusions

1. Dexamethasone can work wonders (like any other hormones). This means that for a small amount of money, you get a fairly powerful effect.

2. If you don't want to experience the downside of this coin, start with a dosage of 1 mg per day. And do not exceed dosages of 2 mg per day.

3. Administer dexamethasone only intramuscularly. Taking it in tablets may be easier (as there is no injection involved), but there is a high risk of stomach problems.

4. Eat more protein. Although, at dosages of 1 mg per day, dexamethasone is unlikely to noticeably harm your muscles.

When I took it in tablets at 2.5 mg per day, I experienced constant colds due to lowered immunity, water retention, and my stomach didn't want to digest anything at all. A year later, I returned to dexamethasone, but in ampoules at 4 mg every three days (1.3 mg per day). I experienced the same positive effects (pain went away, and appetite increased), but I did not notice any side effects.