Taking Symprove is simple: all you need to do is drink a 70-millilitre shot on an empty stomach once a day. The ideal time is first thing in the morning, before you’ve had any breakfast, tea or coffee.
To get the most out of Symprove, follow the recommendations as closely and consistently as you can – our guts love routine. Most Symprove users feel a difference after using it daily for at least 12 weeks.*
This article covers exactly how to take Symprove, including when, how much, and what to do if you miss a dose. By the end, you’ll hopefully be ready to begin your Symprove journey.
How to take Symprove
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Shake your bottle of Symprove before opening it.
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Pour yourself a 70-ml serving.
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Drink the shot.
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Wait at least 10 minutes before having anything to eat.
It’s important to take Symprove on an empty stomach. This helps the live bacteria pass through more quickly, reducing their exposure to stomach acid.
You should also avoid hot drinks for at least 10 minutes after taking Symprove, as high temperatures may reduce the viability of the live bacteria.
Once you open your bottle, store it in the fridge and finish it within 14 days.
When to take Symprove
The best time to take Symprove is first thing in the morning on an empty stomach and at least 10 minutes before any breakfast or hot drinks. Your stomach will have been empty overnight, so the route to your gut is quick and clear.
You may find it easier to attach your daily shot to another morning habit. This technique is known as habit stacking. If you regularly have a cup of tea in the morning, for instance, you could drink your Symprove while waiting for the kettle to boil and the tea to brew.
The stronger the association you build between Symprove and the start of your day, the sooner it'll become second nature, and the less likely you are to miss a dose.
Accidentally finished breakfast before your Symprove shot? Not to worry. Give your stomach around 2 hours to empty, then take your daily dose.
How much should you take?
A dose of Symprove is one 70-ml serving. Take one every day, ideally at the same time.
Consistency is important. Our guts thrive with routine and predictability. It can take a bit of time for your gut to get used to daily shots of friendly bacteria, and establishing a routine will make this process smoother.
Some people with sensitive digestive systems prefer to introduce Symprove gradually to help minimise any temporary side effects. If this seems safest, you could try taking a half-dose (35 ml a day) for the first week, for instance.
Can you overdose on Symprove?
Symprove is classed as a food supplement, not a medication, which means you couldn’t technically overdose on it.
All of our clinical trials of Symprove have focused on a 70-ml daily dose. And the findings give no reason to suggest that anyone should take more.
What happens if you miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of Symprove, don’t worry. It’s unlikely to make much difference to your gut health. Just start again tomorrow at the usual time, and stick with your usual amount. You shouldn’t double the next dose.
Going on holiday can make it trickier to keep up the routine. For top tips, check out our article on travelling with Symprove.
How long does Symprove take to work?
While your first shot of Symprove starts getting to work, it can take some time before you feel a difference. We’ve found that 94% of users feel a difference within 12 weeks or less, and around half of users notice a difference after 4 weeks.*
How long it takes will depend on your gut microbiome, the community of trillions of microbes living in your gut.
No two gut microbiomes are the same – even in identical twins. So your journey with Symprove will be unique to you. While one person might notice changes after a few weeks, another person might need a few months.
What should you expect during the first few weeks?
Around half of users notice a difference after taking Symprove for 4 weeks.*
During this time, you may notice mild gut symptoms, which usually settle after 7–10 days as your body adjusts to the new bacteria.
If any gut symptoms are uncomfortable or don’t improve after a few weeks, stop your daily dose and speak with your GP or a pharmacist.
Learn what to expect in your first 12 weeks.
Storage and looking after your Symprove
When you have an unopened bottle of Symprove, you should store it in a cool, dry place.
After you open it, keep it chilled, ideally in a fridge, and consume it within 14 days.
When you’re travelling, you can keep an opened bottle in a cool bag. If you’re staying somewhere without a fridge, you could try keeping it cool by standing it in a bowl of cold water. Don’t forget to change the water regularly if you try this approach.
It’s important not to heat or freeze your Symprove, as this can harm the friendly microbes it contains. Each pack has a maximum shelf life of 15 months.
Tips for getting the best results from Symprove
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Always take Symprove on an empty stomach.
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Leave at least 10 minutes after your dose before you consume anything other than plain water.
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Try pairing your dose with an existing habit, to help it become a part of your routine.
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Don’t heat or freeze your Symprove to avoid damaging the bacteria inside.
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Once you open a bottle, remember to keep it chilled.
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If you’re taking prescribed medication, check to make sure it’s okay to take Symprove before you start. This is especially important if you have a significantly compromised immune system.
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It’s also good to check with a healthcare professional before starting Symprove if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
There are many ways to support your gut while you’re taking Symprove, including:
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staying hydrated
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reducing stress when possible
Discover eight ways to improve your gut health.
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about taking Symprove:
Can I take Symprove with antibiotics?
Yes, absolutely. But we recommend spacing them apart as much as possible to avoid the antibiotic affecting the live Symprove bacteria.
Can I take Symprove with food?
No, you should take Symprove on an empty stomach. Our recommendation is to take it before breakfast.
Can I take Symprove with tea or coffee?
While it’s okay to drink plain water with Symprove, you shouldn’t take it with tea or coffee, as the heat can harm the friendly bacteria.
Can children take Symprove?
Yes, children can take Symprove, but they should have smaller doses, as their microbiomes are still developing.
For children over 3, we recommend 1 ml per kilogram of body weight. So, if a child weighs 20 kg, we’d recommend a daily dose of 20 ml. It may be worth checking with your GP first, though.
Should I stop taking it if I miss a day?
It’s fine to miss a day of Symprove – your overall routine is what matters most. If you miss one dose, just start again the following day.
Should I refrigerate Symprove?
Once a bottle of Symprove is opened, you should keep it chilled. If the bottle is unopened, store it in a cool, dry place.
Can I travel with Symprove?
Yes, you can travel with Symprove. Read our Symprove travel tips here.
Can I take it twice a day?
You only need to take Symprove once a day. Our research trials have only involved a daily 70-ml dose.
Anything else?
If you have a question about taking Symprove that hasn’t been covered here, you may find the answer on our frequently asked questions page.
Summary
To take Symprove, drink one 70-ml shot on an empty stomach every day. We think the best time to do this is first thing in the morning, before breakfast.
It may take a little time before you start to notice the effects. Everyone’s gut is different, and some people may see changes a few weeks before others.
Around 94% of Symprove users notice a difference within 12 weeks, and many go on to become users for life.*
If you’d like to see how other people are finding Symprove, take a look at our Trustpilot page.
To learn more about other gut health topics, visit Symprove’s Gut Hub.
*According to a 2021 survey of 490 Symprove customers.
Sources
Circadian rhythms and the gut microbiome synchronize the host’s metabolic response to diet. Cell Metabolism. (2021). Link.
Micro-habits for life-long learning. Abdominal Radiology (New York). (2021). Link.
