Bitter Orange

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 3, 2024.

What are other common names?

• Citrus aurantium
• Aurantium
• Bigarade
• Bigarade Orange
• Bitter Orange Flower
• Bitter Orange Peel
• Chao Zhi Ke
• Chisil
• Citrus Aurantium Fruit
• Green Orange
• Kijitsu
• Laranja-Amarga
• Laranja-Azeda
• Laranja-Cavalo
• Marmalade Orange
• Methyl-Synephrine
• Methyl-Synephrine HCl
• N-Methyltyramine
• Neroli Flowers
• Neroli Oil
• Norsynephrine
• Octopamine
• Octopamine HCl
• Orange Peel Extract
• Seville Orange
• Shangzhou Zhiqiao
• Sour Orange
• Synephrine
• Synephrine HCl
• Synephrine Hydrochloride
• Zhi Qiao
• Zhi Shi

What is this product used for?

Bitter orange is a fruit. It is also sold as a dietary supplement product. Using bitter orange oil on the skin may help with some skin infections such as ringworm or athlete’s foot. Science does not support its use for any other health problem.

What are the precautions when taking this product?

• Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with drugs or other natural products.

• Be sure to tell your doctor that you take this product if you are scheduled for surgery or tests.

• Do not use this product if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon. Use birth control you can trust while taking this product.

• Do not take this product if you are breastfeeding.

• This product may interact with many drugs that are broken down by the liver. Side effects of these drugs may be increased.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs that are stimulants. This product is also a stimulant and may increase dangerous side effects of these drugs. These are drugs used for breathing problems, nasal congestion, cough, low blood pressure, weight loss, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

• This product may increase sensitivity to sunlight. You may get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun.

• Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) while taking this product.

• Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:

  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, also called ADHD

  • Heart or blood vessel problems

  • Blood pressure problems

  • Glaucoma

  • Thyroid problems

  • Lung problems or asthma

  • Bladder or urinary tract problems

What should I watch for?

• Lack of energy

When do I need to call the doctor?

• Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.

• Signs of heart attack. These include chest pain or pressure, a feeling of something sitting on your chest, trouble breathing, sweating, fast heartbeat, and dizziness.

• Signs of stroke. These include numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg; blurred eyesight; not able to speak or know what some other person is saying to you; dizziness, loss of balance, or falling; very bad headache; change in behavior that is not normal.

• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headaches, nervousness, problems breathing, or nosebleeds.

• Very bad headache

• Heartbeat feels very fast or not normal

• Very bad dizziness or passing out

• Problems with eyesight

• Very bad throwing up

Last Reviewed Date

2023-04-27

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