Clenbuterol is a widely used bronchodilator in many parts of the world. It is most often prepared in 2Omcg tablets (see: Spiropent), but Clenbuterol is also available in syrup and injectable form (see: Spasmobronchal). This drug belongs to a broad group of drugs knows as sympathomimetics. Clenbuterol affect that sympathetic nervous system in a wide number of ways, largely mediated by the distribution of adrenoceptors.
Use of Clenbuterol
The drug is specifically a selective beta-2 sympathomimetic, primarily affecting only one of the three subsets of beta-receptors. Of particular interest is the fact that Clenbuterol has little beta-i stimulating activity. Since beta-i receptors are closely tied to the cardiac effects of adrenoceptors, this allows to reduce reversible airway obstruction (and effect of beta-2 stimulation) with much less cardiovascular side effects compared to non-selective beta agonists. Clinical studies with Clenbuterol show it is extremely effective as a bronchodilator, with a low level of user complaints and high patient compliance Clenbuterol also exhibits an extremely long half-life in the body, which is measured to be approximately 34 hours long. This makes steady blood levels easy to achieve, requiring only a single or twice daily dosing schedule at most. This of course makes it much easier for the patient to use, and may tie into its high compliance rate. To spite that Clenbuterol is available in a wide number of other countries however; Clenbuterol has never been approved for use in the United States. The fact that there are a number of similar to Clenbuterol, effective asthma medications already available in this country may have something to do with this, as a prospective drug firm would likely not find it a profitable enough product to warrant undergoing the expense of the FDA approval process. Regardless, foreign Clenbuterol preparations are widely available on the U.S. black market.
Debate over Clenbuterol
In animal studies Clenbuterol is shown to exhibit anabolic activity 60 61, obviously an attractive trait to the athlete. The drug is additionally a known thermogenic with beta-2 agonists shown to directly stimulate fat cells and accelerate the breakdown of triglycerides to form free fatty acids. Its efficacy in this area makes Clenbuterol a very attractive, and today almost mandatory, pre-contest drug. Those interested in Clenbuterol are most often hoping it will impart a little of both benefits, promoting the loss of body fat while imparting strength and muscle mass increases. But as was well pointed out by a review published in the August 1995 issue of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, the possible anabolic activities in humans are very 9 and based only on animal data using much larger doses than would be required for bronchodilation. With such reports there has been a lot of debate concerning Clenbuterol lately as to whether or not Clenbuterol is really anabolic at all. Some seem to swear by the fact that Clenbuterol builds muscle regardless, firmly sticking by "den" as a great off-season or adjunct anabolic. To others such reports are confirmation that athletes have wasted valuable time and money on drugs that do not work as they are intended to by the user.
