Why is clenbuterol dangerous

Clenbuterol has stimulant effects. Other potential side effects may include cardiac arrhythmia , decreased levels of potassium in the blood, and increased blood sugar. Over time, some users experience a tolerance to these types of medications.

Most of the studies showing anabolic effects of clenbuterol have been done on animals, but, at least one small study done on humans with chronic heart failure did show an increase in lean mass and decrease in body fat.

However, this same study also showed that endurance the length of time these individuals were able to exercise actually decreased. Studies on rats have shown similar effects on lean muscle mass and decreased body fat.

These studies are the basis of the abuse of clenbuterol in athletes. However, significant large scale studies on humans on clenbuterol have not been conducted and long term effects on humans using clenbuterol for this purpose have not been done. While case reports of dangerous side effects and even death are not lacking, much remains unknown about the effects of clenbuterol on people.

When used for breathing difficulties, beta agonists are usually inhaled. Using a metered-dose inhaler may help to mitigate the side effects of the medication. However, other forms of this medication exist including oral pills, syrups, and injectable forms. Clenbuterol is a long-acting beta agonist, so in countries where it is used for the treatment of asthma it should be used in conjunction with a short-acting beta agonist or rescue medication inhaled corticosteroid rather than used alone.

When used for its anabolic properties this medication is often taken in very large doses either orally or injected, which increases the likelihood of experiencing dangerous side effects. Athletes are tested for it before a competition. Clenbuterol is not approved in many countries due to its potential to become toxic at even very low doses.

Harmful side effects may include tachycardia, heart palpitations, tremors, seizures, increased blood sugar, cardiac arrest, and even death. These dangerous side effects are more likely to occur when the drug is used at high doses. As previously mentioned, this is usually the case.

In the United States clenbuterol is sold on the black market, sometimes under the street name "clen", it is often purchased by bodybuilders or athletes for its alleged abilities to decrease body fat and increase muscle mass.

It has also been mixed with heroin, possibly for its stimulant properties, and there have been cases of hospitalization and even death after individuals have used heroin laced with clenbuterol.

Clenbuterol poisoning can be treated. Clenbuterol is legally prescribed in Australia as an airway dilator for horses. It also has anabolic properties which led to its use in food-producing animals to increase lean meat yield, before it was banned for that purpose in the United States and Europe in the s. Internationally, a number of elite athletes, such as cyclist Alberto Contador and sprinter Katrin Krabbe , have been caught using clenbuterol as a performance-enhancing drug, despite it being banned by the International Olympic Committee and World Anti-Doping Agency.

In the nine years to December , hospitals, health-care workers and members of the public reported 63 cases of clenbuterol exposure. The calls were from a range of metropolitan and rural areas. What is clenbuterol? Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. What does clenbuterol do? Why is clenbuterol used? Share on Pinterest Clenbuterol was originally intended to treat asthma, but has gained controversial popularity for aiding weight loss and bodybuilding. Share on Pinterest Clenbuterol may be taken in pill form, or injected.

Both methods have specific risks. Risks and side effects. Current research. Share on Pinterest Those who use clenbuterol continuously may experience side effects, such as heart palpitations, vomiting, and chest pain. Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.

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What are the benefits and risks of whey protein? In addition to being used to treat asthma, clenbuterol has become popular as a weight loss supplement. A liquid form of the drug is approved by the FDA for treatment of airway obstruction in horses. Outside of the United States, clenbuterol is available by prescription only for the treatment of asthma. Due to these properties, clenbuterol has been used in livestock to increase the amount of lean muscle. The drug can still be found in the meat of livestock after it has been butchered, and this has led to illness in Europe and Asia.

Because of this, the United States and Europe monitor tissue samples from livestock in order to detect the presence of clenbuterol. Clenbuterol has been observed to both increase muscle mass and reduce body fat.

Additionally, it remains in the body with an active effect for up to about six days after consumption detectable traces can remain longer. People taking clenbuterol for weight loss or performance enhancement often use anabolic steroids or growth hormones as well.

Studies on the efficacy of clenbuterol as a weight loss or performance enhancer in humans are quite limited, although many studies have been performed in animals and livestock:.

A review of adverse reactions to clenbuterol reported to two poison control centers found that 11 of the 13 cases were due to clenbuterol use for weight loss or bodybuilding.

When clenbuterol is taken to control asthma symptoms, the recommended dosage is between 0.