Why clenbuterol is illegal

Clenbuterol is a sympathomimetic amine that can be used by sufferers of breathing disorders such as asthma, to make the process easier. People with chronic conditions often turn towards this drug not just for relief from their symptoms but also because it helps them breathe more easily and deeply without much difficulty. People who do not have a breathing disorder can also use it, but they are more likely to take this as a weight-loss drug.

Clenbuterol has other benefits outside of just making you breathe easier and that is what makes it so popular among those looking for an easy way to lose body fat. Clenbuterol Hydrochloride was originally created as a bronchodilator which means it helps open up the airways in people with asthma or chronic lung diseases allowing them to breathe better, deeper, and without much effort.

Bodybuilders and athletes also use Clen for cutting or reducing body fat. While Clen is not technically classified as a steroid due to its chemical makeup and pharmacological properties, we wanted to include it in this list because people often refer to steroids when talking about clenbuterol.

No, Clenbuterol is illegal in the United States. Clenbuterol is illegal to buy in the U. S — except in black markets — and it has dangerous side effects. Some people want to take the risk because it can have less harmful side effects, but they should remember that it can also have serious side effects. It can be bad for humans. In a famous boxer was caught using Clenbuterol and he said that an illegal drug dealer told him to use it as a weight-loss supplement. Mexico had five players taken off the team because they tested positive for clenbuterol during the Gold Cup.

It can also be used by humans for muscle growth and weight loss, which means it is banned under section S1. Mexico has legislation against clenbuterol in livestock because of its effect on humans but sometimes farmers ignore the law. Clenbuterol is a veterinary drug and not authorized for human use in Canada, but its popularity has caused an increase of mixed uses. However, due to its high effectiveness at inducing weight loss when used by humans it can help you lose up 2 pounds per day , many athletes have taken advantage over the years — leading some countries like Australia, New Zealand or Great Britain actually ban its importation because they felt there were too many cases where people abused this powerful supplement without knowledge on how it works or what side effects could occur if ingested incorrectly.

The UK government does not recommend the use of Clenbuterol for humans. For animals, it can be used if a veterinarian writes a prescription. But when people use the drug, the law is different. It might be legal to use it but there are many laws about how you get it. The calls were from a range of metropolitan and rural areas. The median age was 21 years but the two very young children were inadvertently exposed to the drug, which is usually taken as a liquid or gel. The salbutamol in the puffer relaxes the muscles that line the airway, allowing users to breath more easily, she said.

But on the flip side, they could be toxic to the heart, Prof Nissen said, especially for those with underlying cardiovascular conditions. The consequence, in its extreme, can be a heart attack.

Prof Nissen said there were a number of other, much less harmful drugs available on prescription for sensible weight loss that could be taken in consultation with medical practitioners. For certain sports or in certain circumstances, results below the MRLs will trigger an investigation by the relevant anti-doping authority to try to determine the source and circumstances around the ingestion or exposure to the prohibited substance.

USADA urges athletes to use the utmost care and caution if eating meat while traveling abroad, and to be aware of the potential for contamination. To reduce your risk of unintentionally ingesting clenbuterol through contaminated meat:. If meat consumption is unavoidable, you should only consume meat products from an athlete village, your hotel, or other reputable restaurants not street vendors or untraceable locations , and ensure the following information is obtained and recorded on paper or as a photograph on your phone :.

By collecting and presenting these documents, in the event of a low-level clenbuterol positive drug test, you may be able to support the evidence of an atypical finding. It is strongly recommended to abide by these recommendations to protect yourself from unintentional positive drug tests and to trace sources of contamination where exposure was unintentional. Remember that you are ultimately responsible for what goes in your body and will be held accountable accordingly.

USADA will continue to keep the sport community aware of new developments regarding this issue as they develop. Even when a treatment is prescribed, athletes should use GlobalDRO. Originally released April Updated June The use of clenbuterol as a growth promoting substance in animal husbandry beef, pork, lamb or poultry in Mexico, China, and Guatemala has led to numerous positive anti-doping tests over the past decade.

Keep reading to learn more about clenbuterol and how meat contamination cases are now being managed under the current rules: What is clenbuterol and meat contamination? Is clenbuterol prohibited in sport? How are clenbuterol and meat contamination cases handled under anti-doping rules? How can athletes reduce their risk of consuming contaminated meat? To reduce your risk of unintentionally ingesting clenbuterol through contaminated meat: Choose foods from a reputable meat source e.

Inquire where meat products are sourced from at hotels and restaurants imported meats from the United States, Europe, New Zealand, or Australia have tighter regulations and higher quality standards.