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Published on: March 2, 2011
Unsuspected Clenbuterol Toxicity in a Patient Using Intramuscular Testosterone
Matthew K Griswold1, Eike Blohm1, Roderick Cross2
1University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Toxicology, Worcester, Massachusetts.
Abstract:
Clenbuterol is a beta-agonist that has been abused by fitness-oriented individuals for muscle growth and weight loss. We report a case of a 46-year-old man who presented tachycardic, hypokalemic, and hyperglycemic after injecting testosterone obtained from Brazil. He developed refractory hypotension and was started on an esmolol infusion for suspected beta-agonist toxicity. Laboratory analysis showed a detectable clenbuterol serum concentration. Analysis of an unopened ampule contained boldenone undecylenate, clenbuterol, and vitamin E. This case illustrates a novel exposure that caused beta-agonist toxicity and was treated successfully with rapid-onset beta blocker.
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