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. 2020 Jun 24;7(9):001662.
doi: 10.12890/2020_001662. eCollection 2020.

Clenbuterol-Induced Myocarditis: A Case Report

Natassja Moriarty  1 , Nadeem Attar  2
Affiliations

Clenbuterol-Induced Myocarditis: A Case Report

Natassja Moriarty et al. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. .

Abstract

Objective: We present a case of a 22-year-old bodybuilder diagnosed with myocarditis secondary to clenbuterol use.

Results: The patient was primarily managed conservatively by the discontinuation of clenbuterol and the temporary use of dual anti-platelets, beta-blockers and nitrates.

Conclusion: Clenbuterol is a long-acting beta-2 agonist primarily used in veterinary medicine. In recent years, it has been illegally marketed as a weight loss supplement because of its anabolic properties and is popular among fitness enthusiasts. It is our aim to use this case to underscore the adverse effects of this drug with hopes that tighter regulations will be instituted to stem its illegal distribution.

Learning points: Clenbuterol is primarily a veterinary drug with bronchodilator and tocolytic properties.It is illegally used as a performance enhancer by athletes and bodybuilders because of its anabolic properties.Clenbuterol misuse can result in myocardial injury.

Keywords: Clenbuterol; myocardial infarction.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interests: The Authors declare that there are no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
ECG showing ST depression with slightly upright T waves in V1
Figure 2
Figure 2
Repeat ECG demonstrating an increase in R wave height, ST depression and upright T waves in V1–2. There were changes in keeping with posterior STEMI with inferolateral involvement
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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