Clenbuterol: Widely Abused PED Overview

Introduction

• Clenbuterol is highly abused by athletes across various sports including NHL, boxing, soccer, MLB, swimming, track and field, and fencing.
• Widely used in bodybuilding, physique, figure competitions, and the weight loss market.
• Notorious for being used by celebrities, often resulting in emergency room visits.

History of Clenbuterol

• Patented: 1967.
• Market Introduction: 1977, as a bronchodilator for asthma, never approved for human use in the U.S.
• Animal Use: Produced by Boehringer Ingelheim in 1998 for horses.
• Banned in livestock due to side effects on humans consuming treated animals.

Pharmacology and Mechanism of Action

• Type: Beta-2 adrenergic agonist, similar to epinephrine and other bronchodilators.
• Function:
  • Bronchodilation: Relieves smooth muscles in the bronchial tree.
  • Thermogenic: Increases systemic temperature by stimulating CNS regions involved in thermoregulation.
  • Fat Burning: Increases free fatty acid liberation and adipose tissue atrophy.
  • Muscle Building: Anecdotal evidence suggests potential anabolic effects, though no concrete studies support this.
  • Animal Studies: Some evidence in the 1990s on muscle fiber type shifts in relation to muscular dystrophy.
• Limitations: Mainly due to significant side effects.

Side Effects

• Cardiac Effects: Elevation in heart rate, palpitations, and potential arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation.
  • Case example of a patient requiring multiple electrophysiological procedures due to chronic AFib induced by clenbuterol.
• CNS Effects: Insomnia, nervousness, and potential manic episodes in bipolar individuals.
• Physical Effects: Tremors, nausea, electrolyte imbalances (notably potassium), and potential for passing out.

Abuse and Underground Usage

• Dosage: Abusers often start low and gradually increase doses, with breaks to avoid tolerance build-up.
• Antihistamines: Sometimes used to upregulate receptors during off periods.
• Dangerous Products: Underground variants like Superfund (200 micrograms per pill) pose severe health risks.

Conclusion

• Warnings: The dangers of using clenbuterol are severe, including possible death, particularly with misuse.
• Advice: Strong recommendation against using this drug or similar PEDs due to potential health risks.

• Presenter: Dr. Thomas O'Connor.
• Encouragement to like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more informative content.