Move over, Ephedra, here comes the next best thing… or so they say. Although Clenbuterol’s active ingredient works as a decongestant, it is mysteriously for sale on a number of muscle building websites. So, since Ephedra has been banned in the U.S., it appears the body building community has found a new way to pump up, and this phenomenon is no longer a secret to other dieters desperate for a way to lose weight quickly.

What’s in it?

The drug in Clenbuterol is… you guessed it, Clenbuterol. Although this drug is being widely used by Hollywood stars and bodybuilders alike, keep in mind that it is a prescription medication, which means that most people currently using it as a weight loss aid are likely doing so illegally.

How does it work?

Aside from its uses as a decongestant, Clenbuterol can also be used to treat asthma, which we can see helping the dieter who can’t exercise because they are winded too easily. However, based on its effects on the body, we have a hard time justifying its use for any other means. Although the website claims it also has thermogenic properties, which “increase energy and decrease fat,” the risks are definitely higher than the possible rewards. The effects on the body are very similar to those of Ephedrine, stimulating your central nervous system and raising blood pressure, which is what led to heart-related health problems and deaths prior to the ban on Ephedra.

Who does it work for?

Although Clenbuterol does seem to have some thermogenic properties, there isn’t exactly a website with a poster boy for using a prescription drug not “as directed,” for weight loss. In fact, some research suggests that while Clenbuterol, sometimes called “Clen,” can help you drop weight quickly, those effects reverse themselves after a few weeks, causing you to gain the weight right back.

Are there possible side effects?

When you begin reading of instances where a drug is used more often in horses than humans, this might be your first red flag, but it shouldn’t be the last where Clenbuterol is concerned. That’s right: the decongestant aspect of Clenbuterol is often prescribed for horses with breathing problems, which tells us that this substance has quite the kick.

Also, Clenbuterol has been added to the professional athletes’ “banned” list, and there is a warning on the product’s website suggesting that long-term use can cause arrhythmia and/or cardiac arrest. These side effects sound strikingly similar to issues related to Ephedra, although side effects like jitteriness and insomnia are not supposed to be a factor.

Are there any “bonus” features?

There are currently no free trials of Clenbuterol offered, which makes sense since it is a prescription decongestant rather than an actual diet aid, and you would need to see a doctor in order to obtain this product legally. Rather than our usual “check with your doctor before beginning this weight loss plan,” we are just going to blatantly recommend against trying Clenbuterol. Although Clen may have characteristics similar to other weight loss aid, the rewards cannot possibly be worth the serious risks to your health, not to mention the dangers of using a drug for something other than its intended use. We suggest steering clear of Clenbuterol completely.