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What Is Clenbuterol?

According to the United State's Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), clenbuterol is: "a growth-promoting drug in the beta-agonist class of compounds." Clenbuterol, often called Clen, is a non-steroidal anabolic and metabolism accelerator that is illegally used by athletes and bodybuilders to decrease fat while increasing muscle mass. In some countries, clenbuterol is prescribed for human breathing disorders. In the veterinary field, clenbuterol has been outlawed in many countries--including the United States--for use in all animals except horses.

  1. Steroidal Use

    • Clenbuterol is commonly used by bodybuilders and athletes, because of its steroid-like effects. Taken orally or intravenously, clenbuterol helps the body burn stored fat. According to the United States Department of Justice's Drug Enforcement Administration, clenbuterol is taken to also "increase lean muscle mass."

    Stimulant

    • Clenbuterol is often compared to ephedrine, which is also illegal. Both drugs posess abilities to act as a stimulant in the human body. Clenbuterol raises body temperature and blood pressure.

    Animal Uses

    • Clenbuterol's use in animals was outlawed by the United State's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and by the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in the early 1990s. Clenbuterol was used in show and food animals to make animals leaner. Clenbuterol is still legal in the United States for use as a bronchodilator for horses.

    Illness

    • According to the FSIS, clenbuterol can: "affect lung and heart function in persons who have eaten liver or meat of animals given" clenbuterol. Clenbuterol is also the result of a reported case involving more than 300 people in Shanghai in 2006; they reportedly ate meat from animals that were given the drug. The clenbuterol short-term effects of those in Shanghai were of nausea and stomach pains.

    Breathing Disorders

    • In the United States, the use of clenbuterol is illegal for human use. Clenbuterol is available in other countries by prescription to help treat breathing disorders. Clenbuterol is most commonly used to treat bronchial asthma in humans.

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