Clenbuterol

1 : 1 mixture (racemate)
Clenbuterol

Systematic (IUPAC) name
(RS)-1-(4-amino-3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-(tert-butylamino)ethanol
Identifiers
CAS number	37148-27-9
ATC code	R03AC14 R03CC13 QG02CA91
PubChem	2783
ChemSpider	2681
Chemical data
Formula	C12H18Cl2N2O
Mol. mass	277.19
SMILES	eMolecules & PubChem
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	89-98% orally
Metabolism	?
Half life	36-39 hours
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	C
Legal status	Class C(UK)
Routes	oral
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Clenbuterol is a drug prescribed to sufferers of breathing disorders as a decongestant and bronchodilator. People with chronic breathing disorders like asthma use this as a bronchodilator to make breathing easier. It is most commonly available in salt form as Clenbuterol hydrochloride.

Effects and Dosage

Clenbuterol is a non-steroidal β₂ adrenergic agonist with some structural and pharmacological similarities to Epinephrine and Salbutamol, but 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. It increases the rate at which fats are metabolized, simultaneously slowing the body's BMR. It is commonly used for smooth muscle relaxant properties. This means that it is a bronchodilator and tocolytic. It is usually used in dosages anywhere from 20-60 micrograms a day when prescribed. A dose of about 120 μg should never be exceeded in a day^{[citation needed]}. It is also prescribed for treatment of horses; however, equestrian usage is usually the liquid form of clenbuterol. Clenbuterol is also a sympathomimetic in the peripheral nervous system.

Human use

Clenbuterol is approved for use in some countries (via prescription only) as a bronchodilator for asthma patients.^{[citation needed]} Recently though, the drug has been publicized for its off-label use as a weight loss drug. It is commonly used as a slimming aid despite lack of sufficient clinical evidence supporting such use^[1].

With many major diet review websites talking about clenbuterol, and given its accessibility via the internet, the drug is widely used as a "dietary supplement". In fact, nowadays it is recommended by many physical trainers as the primary solution for those bodybuilders who desire to achieve sufficiently low body fat in order to look "cut". In many cases, it is introduced into the training regime not as an illegal drug, but simply as a weight loss aid.^{[citation needed]}

Contraindications and cautions

• Hypersensitivity to the medicine; • Thyrotoxicosis; • Tachycardia; • Subaortic stenosis; • Acute myocardial infarction; • Pregnancy.

Veterinary use

Clenbuterol is used worldwide for the treatment of allergic respiratory disease in horses, as it is a bronchodilator. A common trade name is Ventipulmin. It can be used both orally and intravenously. It is also a non-steroidal anabolic and metabolism accelerator, through a mechanism not well understood. Its ability to increase the muscle-to-fat body ratio makes its illegal use in livestock popular to obtain leaner meats.

Food contamination

In September 2006 over 330 people in Shanghai were reported to have been poisoned by eating pork contaminated by clenbuterol that had been fed to the animals to keep their meat lean. There are also other informal reports on localized food contamination cases by clenbuterol in the U.S., which led to setting rules that limit consumption of this medicine only to horses.^[2]

In February, 2009, at least 70 people in one Chinese province (Guangdong) suffered food poisoning after eating pig organs believed to contain clenbuterol residue. The victims complained of stomachaches and diarrhea after eating pig organs bought in local markets.^[3][4]

Legal status

As of fall, 2006, Clenbuterol is not an ingredient of any therapeutic drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but is still used as a slimming aid,^[1] and is now banned for IOC-tested athletes.^[5] See further at List of doping cases in sport. Polsh sprint canoer Adam Seroczyński was disqualified for taking this drug after finished fourth in the K-2 1000 m event at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

References

http://jap.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/91/5/2064

External links