Clenbuterol
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Clenbuterol for pets in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
Clenbuterol for pets
(klen-byoo-ter-ol)
Description:
This medicine opens the air passages to help breathing.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Ventipulmin®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals: an oral liquid (syrup) with 72.5 micrograms in each mL.
- For people: none.
This handout does not include every piece of information that exists about this medicine, and it is meant to address common questions, but it does not replace guidance from a veterinary professional. If you still have questions or need additional details about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or your pharmacist.
Key Information
- This medicine is most often given to horses that have trouble moving air in and out of the lungs, to help the airway muscles relax so breathing is easier.
- It may also be used in emergency situations in mares (female horses) during dystocia, meaning a difficult birth.
- Be careful using this medicine during pregnancy, because clenbuterol can cause abortion or can stop labor from happening.
- People have misused this drug. Keep it in a secure place and get rid of any leftover medicine in the proper way.
- This medicine may not be allowed for show horses or racehorses.
How is this medication useful?
- In horses with blocked or narrowed airways, clenbuterol is used to relax the airway muscles so the horse can breathe better.
- In pregnant mares, clenbuterol is also used during dystocia (a difficult birth) emergencies to relax the uterus.
- In some situations, veterinarians may prescribe medicines that contain this drug for different animals or for different problems. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this medicine is the best option.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many different factors can change how well this medicine works for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can decide together what is best.
- Some medicines can affect how clenbuterol works. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Also share how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
- If your animal has had treatment in the past for the same problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of this medicine with your veterinarian. Reports say this drug may either slow down labor or cause abortion.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any past medicine-related problems your animal has had, including allergic reactions, not wanting to eat, diarrhea, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
- You should expect this medicine to begin working in about 1 to 2 hours. After that, your animal’s signs should start to get better.
- This medicine has effects that last a moderate amount of time. This can mean the effects may continue for a few days. The helpful effects may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver are not working as well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any special concerns for your animal.
If your animal has any of the issues listed below, talk with your veterinarian about weighing the possible risks against the possible benefits.
- Animals that have an allergy to this medicine.
- Animals that will be used as food for people.
- Animals that may have heart disease, or are known to have heart disease.
- Animals that are pregnant.
What are the side effects of this medication?
In horses, side effects that are seen most often include:
- If you notice any of the signs below, you usually do not need to worry unless the signs are strong, get worse, or do not go away. If that happens, contact your veterinarian.
- Shaking or muscle tremors, acting restless, sweating, a mildly faster heartbeat, and itching. These signs are usually mild.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
- Too much clenbuterol can be dangerous. If you see an overdose happen, or you think it may have happened, contact your veterinarian right away or call an animal poison control service for instructions.
How should this medication be given?
For this medicine to work properly, you must give it exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed it. It is also important to read the prescription label each time so you give it correctly.
- If you are using the liquid form, measure it with care. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special measuring spoons or dosing syringes.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas to make dosing easier and to reduce stress during medicine time.
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time. Make sure you clearly understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep giving it. You may need prescription refills before the full course of treatment is finished. Before you stop this medicine, speak with your veterinarian, because there may be important reasons to keep using it.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
- If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. Then wait the usual amount of time between doses that your veterinarian recommended before giving the next one. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in the original prescription container, or in another approved container used to organize doses (such as a pill minder). Store it at room temperature and keep it out of direct sunlight. Do not freeze it.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
- No special handling steps are needed unless you are allergic to this medicine. After you handle any medicine, wash your hands.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet and do not pour it into a sink drain.
- If your area has a community medicine take-back program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program:
- combine the medicine with coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unpleasant to children and animals and not recognizable to people who might search through trash.
- Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag so it cannot leak, and then place it in the regular trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else to use.
What other information is important for this medication?
- This drug may not be permitted in some animal competitions. Before entering a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine, check the rules.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”