Clenbuterol: Banned Weight Loss Drug

Clenbuterol is a prescription drug for the management of breathing disorders. It works as a decongestant and a bronchodilator. It is commonly available in salt form to be used as a bronchodilator by people with chronic breathing problems like asthma. Clenbuterol is a β2 adrenergic agonist with similarities to ephedrine; however its effects are more potent and longer-lasting as a stimulant and thermogenic drug. It causes an increase in aerobic capacity, central nervous system stimulation, and an increase in blood pressure and oxygen transportation. However, various studies have shown that long term use can reduce exercise performance.

Clenbuterol is believed to improve muscle tone and performance. Clenbuterol is also a sympathomimetic in the peripheral nervous system. It is usually prescribed in dosages ranging between 20 and 60 micrograms a day. A dose of about 150 μg should never be exceeded in a day.

Clenbuterol for athletes

The drug is widely used as a dietary supplement. It acts by increasing the rate at which fat and protein get used up in the body at the same time and by slowing down the glycogen storage. It is often mistaken as a steroid because of its common use in athletes. It is currently recommended by many physical trainers as the key solution for those bodybuilders who aspire to achieve amply low body fat in order to look "cut". Athletes are advised to take 5-7 tablets (100-140 mcg) per day whereas; intake of 3-4 tablets (80-100 mcg) is considered enough for women. Female bodybuilders particularly prefer this drug over others as it not only is exceptionally effective for fat loss, but also provides increases in strength and muscle size without the risk of developing androgenic side effects seen with most anabolic steroids.

Being a bronchodilator, it is also legally prescribed for the treatment of allergic respiratory disease in horses. It can be used both orally and intravenously.

Clenbuterol and weight loss

Though it is an unapproved drug by FDA, it is the commonest product to be used by weightwatchers and athletes all over the world, except USA. Thus the sale of this drug is strictly observed by government officials in US due to the reason of non approval of FDA.  While purchasing Clenbuterol is illegal, it is incredibly easy to purchase it online. In fact, dosing is rather simple to get hold of and, in some cases, it is not even adjusted based on age or sex of the consumer.

Being an anabolic and metabolism accelerator, it is popularly known to be capable of inducing weight loss and a greater proportion of muscle to fat makes its illegal use popular. Another reason for being famous as a weight loss drug amongst athletes is its thermogenic activity. It gives the drug the ability to slightly increase the body's core temperature, thereby raising energy expenditure. It is thought that a 1°F increase yields around a 5% increase in maintenance calories burned.

Illicit use with heroin and cocaine

There have also been reports of Clenbuterol-tainted heroin and cocaine. Although no deaths were accredited to the Clenbuterol exposures, Clenbuterol intoxication resulted in hospitalization of people for up to several days.

Side effects of Clenbuterol

Clenbuterol is usually found to be effective only up to 4 weeks. Thereafter body often gets used to this drug, resulting in the failure of any of the impacts over the muscle toning. This short-term usage of the drug is known to produce side-effects like headaches, muscle tremors, insomnia, restlessness, palpitations, increased perspiration, possible muscle spasms, increased blood pressure, and nausea. These side effects are of a short-lived nature and usually subside after 8-10 days, despite continuation of the product.

After ingestion, Clenbuterol is readily absorbed (70-80%) and remains in the body for 25-39 hours. As a result of its long half life, the adverse effects of Clenbuterol are often prolonged. Understanding the negative consequences of the consumption of this drug may contribute to the enhancement of overall health of dieters, athletes and bodybuilders. Long-lasting intake of Clenbuterol may lead to lifetime complications. Improvement in muscle tone with the use of Clenbuterol may result in effects on the smooth functioning of muscles into contraction, thereby increasing the rate of heart beat and the risk of cardiovascular complications. Also, Clenbuterol may also be toxic to the liver leading to life impacting health complications associated with the abuse of this drug.

Medical use of Clenbuterol

As discussed earlier, Clenbuterol is used as a prescription-only drug for the treatment of airway obstruction in horses (0.8-3.2 m g/kg twice daily). But this product is not intended for human use or for use in food-producing animals.

Due to the associated cardiovascular complications, many healthcare professionals are choosing to avoid prescribing Clenbuterol unless the patient genuinely needs this medication in the event of a severe breathing disorder. When used in dieting or weight loss, success has been observed among individuals who follow pyramid approach for the dosing, increasing it over several days with a maximum therapeutic benefit experienced after four weeks. Beyond four weeks, body adapts itself to the effects of Clenbuterol, making it less effective. Therefore use of this drug beyond four weeks has not proven advantageous.