How to Reduce Synephrine

Synephrine is a stimulant derived from the bitter orange plant. Typically used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for fatigue, decreased appetite and weight control, bitter orange has become a popular weight management supplement. While clinical evidence is split regarding synephrine's effectiveness, vitamin shops, local pharmacies and even the vitamin aisle at your local grocery store sell synephrine as a standalone bitter orange supplement or as part of a combination supplement. Because synephrine is a stimulant, side effects include increased heart rate, blood pressure, feelings of anxiety or jitters, and dizziness. If these side effects begin to affect your health or daily life, you may wish to reduce or eliminate your synephrine intake.

Instructions

• 1

  Step down from pill-form bitter orange supplements slowly. Reduce your intake by half a pill a day per week until you reach the desired dosage. If you are taking gel caps, switch to tablets. Otherwise, you will have to reduce by a whole pill per day and withdrawal side effects may be greater.

• 2

  Switch to a combination supplement containing no synephrine, and take an additional supplement with only synephrine in gradually smaller amounts. Compare the product information on your synephrine-containing combination supplement with the label on a synephrine-only supplement to determine your starting dosage. Step down your synephrine dosage as outlined in step one.

• 3

  Monitor changes in your appetite. There is disagreement regarding synephrine's effect on appetite. Some believe it increases appetite, while others believe it suppresses appetite, according to WebMD. Pay close attention to your eating habits and cravings. Increases in your appetite upon reducing synephrine intake may cause weight gain. Expect your appetite to normalize within a week to two weeks upon reaching your target dose.

• 4

  Check your blood pressure once a day when tapering your synephrine intake. Normal blood pressure is between 90/60 and 120/80. If you are physically fit, your blood pressure may already be closer to 90/60. Side effects of low blood pressure include dizziness upon standing or during exercise as well as general fatigue. If this side effect does not improve within a week after you reach your goal dosage, contact your physician immediately as this may be a sign of permanent damage.