Low Dose Clenbuterol Toxicity: Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Description Clenbuterol is a long-acting β-agonist used in oral and inhaled form for asthma treatment outside the U.S. and in veterinary medicine within the U.S. It is also used off-label for anabolic effects worldwide. Toxicity with clenbuterol is increasingly seen in U.S. hospitals, primarily in younger individuals using the drug for competitive athletics or bodybuilding. We present a case of a young patient who presented after an intentional overdose and discuss the relevant literature. Presentations do not correlate with the dosage ingested. Signs and symptoms can range from simple nausea to myocardial ischemia, rhabdomyolysis and cardiogenic shock. Treatment of overdose is simple and should be promptly started using intravenous fluid hydration and potassium supplementation. Benzodiazepines may be utilized for agitation or delirium. β-blockers or phenylephrine may be used to give hemodynamic support. More research is needed to gain an understanding of the optimal treatment of clenbuterol toxicity, especially if it becomes a more frequent reason for medical encounters in the U.S.

Ultrasensitive Eu-Based MOF Luminescence Sensor for Clenbuterol Visible Recognition

“…8,9 Then, a series of toxic side effects on human health were caused, including dizziness, nausea, palpitation, nervousness, muscular tremors, shivering, and even inducing tumors. 10,11 Actually, as early as 1990, food poisoning incidents were reported arising from the consumption of CLB-contaminated meats. 12 Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have prohibited CLB abuse in drug syntheses and animal husbandry.…”

“…Clenbuterol (1-(4-amino-3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-( tert -butylamino)­ethanol, CLB) as one of the common synthetic β 2 adrenergic agonists with the structure of phenylethanolamine has various applications in many fields (Scheme S1). In clinical medicine, CLB is primitively employed as a drug for the treatment of respiratory diseases at appropriate medical doses, including bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. , In stock farming, CLB is usually known as “leptin” or “lean meat powder,” which can promote animal growth, protein accretion, lean meat percentage increase, and fatty acid degradation as well as lipolysis. − However, CLB residues can often accumulate in muscles and viscera of animal or human bodies through the food chain and degrade difficultly due to its long half-life and slow metabolism. , Then, a series of toxic side effects on human health were caused, including dizziness, nausea, palpitation, nervousness, muscular tremors, shivering, and even inducing tumors. , Actually, as early as 1990, food poisoning incidents were reported arising from the consumption of CLB-contaminated meats . Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have prohibited CLB abuse in drug syntheses and animal husbandry. , Abominably, unethical merchants privately applied CLB as an illegal additive in feeds to make exorbitant profits .…”