Synephrine: Its Benefits and Risks, and Its Close Relationship to Ephedra
Synephrine: More Than a Fruit
Many advertisements about weight loss entice men and women who are unsatisfied with their weight. After trying various diet and exercise programs that they prove to be ineffective, they would usually find a solution in the form of medications. Synephrine, a drug commonly used for weight loss, has gained popularity side by side with the drug ephedrine. This miracle drug is primarily derived from the fruit of Citrus aurantium that is commonly known as bitter orange, zhi shi and sour orange. As a dietary supplement, it is given in 3-30 mg single oral doses, or as a pharmaceutical agent, it’s given in 20-100 mg parenteral injection. The therapeutic purpose of this drug is to promote vasoconstriction in hypotensive patients.
A lot of speculation is made with regards to the main purpose of this drug but it works to decrease appetite, burn fat, increase energy, increase metabolism, promote weight loss and increase body heat. As you can see, it has similar effects to the body with that of ephedrine. This drug is usually confused with Neosynephrine. They may be similar in structure but they differ in the location of the aromatic hydroxyl group. The former’s hydroxyl is at the para position while the latter’s hydroxyl is at the meta position. Neosynephrine primarily acts on the alpha 1 adrenergic receptors while Synephrine acts on the beta 3 adrenergic receptors.
This famous medication along with caffeine may have numerous side effects. It increases a person’s risk of stroke, hypertension and myocardial infarction. Aside from those mentioned, it could also cause arrhythmias and other manifestations similar to ephedrine like chest pain, diaphoresis, nausea, anorexia, confusion, delusion, hallucination, insomnia, dry mouth and euphoria. If a patient has these risk factors, they should not use this product. If any of the side effects occur, they should alert their prescriber.
Contraindications in Its Use
Like Ephedrine (Shop for Ephedrine), this drug should also not be used together with antidepressants such as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. These substances could worsen or exacerbate some side effects primarily caused by this drug. Caution should also be given when prescribing this drug to patients with conditions that cause inadequate fluid replacement and impaired renal function like diabetes mellitus, heart disease, hyperthyroidism or acidosis. A drug like this is never advisable to be taken by pregnant women as this could cause abnormal uterine contractions. Those with closed angle glaucoma and pheochromocytoma should also be advised not to take this drug.
A variety of products, especially medications are produced every day to give promises and hope to people who have nearly given up. Currently, people are more open minded when it comes to weight loss with thermogenics. Synephrine may be one of the promising products of tomorrow when it comes to faster and more effective weight loss.