The connection between albuterol and weight loss is fuzzy at best, and dangerous at worst. Albuterol is a drug that is used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Weight loss is a possible side effect of albuterol, but albuterol has never been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for losing weight. In fact, albuterol can cause unpleasant side effects when used for conditions other than asthma and COPD. Even if albuterol is connected to weight loss, it is a prescription medication and cannot be legally prescribed for any condition other than respiratory conditions in most regions.
Albuterol is a bronchodilator and central nervous system stimulant which may help explain how it increases the metabolism. It may also suppress the appetite. Some of the more common side effects of albuterol include cardiovascular and respiratory symptoms like increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and arrhythmia. Other side effects include restlessness, insomnia, and headache.
The link between albuterol and weight loss first became apparent when bodybuilders and wrestlers noticed that albuterol was similar in chemical composition to Clenbuterol, which bodybuilders have used for years to build muscle and increase fat loss. Once word spread, the use of albuterol for weight loss became more common within the bodybuilding and wrestling communities. Both albuterol and Clenbuterol are beta-2 andrenergic agonists, which can theoretically cause fat loss, but albuterol has a shorter half life. This means it leaves the body sooner, causing fewer side effects and making detection through drug tests less likely.
Even though no official studies have been performed, belief in the link between albuterol and weight loss persists. Using albuterol for weight loss could be dangerous since people who use it for this purpose use a higher dosage than is prescribed for respiratory conditions, increasing the chance of dangerous side effects. Until the link between albuterol and weight loss is researched and found to be safe, it’s best to avoid using albuterol for this purpose and stick to losing weight through eating less and increasing exercise.
Albuterol should not be taken by anyone who has an overactive thyroid or high blood pressure, since it can exacerbate those symptoms. The medication can also be harmful to people who suffer from diabetes and epilepsy, or anyone who has suffered a seizure. The drug can also cause problems if taken in conjunction with MAOIs, tricyclic antidepressants, or beta blockers. Albuterol can harm unborn babies and should not be used by any woman who could possibly be pregnant or who is breastfeeding since it’s not known whether or not the drug is passed through breastmilk.