Clenbuterol and the cost of cutting: A brief report comparing self-reported side effects of clenbuterol consumption to anabolic-androgenic steroid compounds

IF 3.7 Q2 HOSPITALITY, LEISURE, SPORT & TOURISM

Performance enhancement and health Pub Date : 2025-08-23 DOI:10.1016/j.peh.2025.100356

Benjamin Bonenti , Cheneal Puljević , Vigorous Steve , Jason Ferris , Emma Davies , Monica J. Barratt , Adam Winstock , Etienne Grobler , Kyle T. Ganson , Lauren Ball , Timothy Piatkowski

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Abstract

Background

Clenbuterol, while not classified as an anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS), is commonly used alongside AAS for aesthetic purposes due to its thermogenic effects. Comparisons of its side effect profile relative to AAS remain limited. This study aimed to examine the side effects between participants classified as consuming either AAS and clenbuterol (clenbuterol group) or AAS without clenbuterol (AAS group).

Methods

The sample (N = 1146) was drawn from the 2024 Global Drug Survey, and comprised solely males reporting either AAS only (n = 949), or AAS and clenbuterol (n = 197), in the previous 12 months. Binary logistic regression analyses assessed associations between use of compound type (clenbuterol group vs. AAS group) and four self-reported side effects: negative impact on heart, restlessness/irritability, irrational excitability, and rapid mood fluctuation. Age was included as a covariate in all models.

Results

The clenbuterol group had significantly higher odds of reporting negative impacts on their heart (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.76, p < .001), rapid mood fluctuations (aOR = 1.73, p = .010), and irrational excitability (aOR = 1.61, p = .032) compared to the AAS group. Conversely, clenbuterol consumption was not a significant predictor of restlessness/irritability (aOR = 1.36, p = .122).

Conclusions

Men consuming clenbuterol alongside AAS report higher rates of side effects than those consuming AAS alone. These findings underscore the need for targeted health promotion messaging regarding clenbuterol consumption for physique enhancement.

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克伦特罗和削减成本：一份比较克伦特罗与合成代谢雄激素类固醇化合物的自我报告副作用的简短报告

盐酸克仑特罗虽然不被归类为合成代谢雄激素类固醇（AAS），但由于其产热作用，通常与AAS一起用于美学目的。相对于AAS，其副作用的比较仍然有限。这项研究的目的是检查被分为服用原子吸收剂和克伦特罗（克伦特罗组）或不服用原子吸收剂（克伦特罗组）的参与者之间的副作用。方法样本（N = 1146）来自2024年全球药物调查，包括在过去12个月内仅报告原子吸收光谱（N = 949）或报告原子吸收光谱和克仑特罗（N = 197）的男性。二元logistic回归分析评估了复合型（盐酸克仑特罗组与AAS组）的使用与四种自我报告的副作用之间的关联：对心脏的负面影响、烦躁不安/易怒、不合理兴奋和情绪快速波动。所有模型都将年龄作为协变量纳入。结果与AAS组相比，克伦特罗组报告对心脏有负面影响的几率（调整优势比[aOR] = 2.76, p < .001）、情绪快速波动（aOR = 1.73, p = 0.010）和不理性兴奋（aOR = 1.61, p = 0.032）显著高于AAS组。相反，瘦肉精的摄入并不是烦躁不安/易怒的显著预测因子（aOR = 1.36, p = 0.122）。结论服用盐酸克仑特罗同时服用AAS的男性副作用发生率高于单独服用AAS的男性。这些发现强调了有针对性的健康促进信息的必要性，这些信息是关于服用瘦肉精以增强体质的。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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