i'm not sure how everybody else does it by i take mine
3 x's a day
-1st thing in the morning 30 min. before breakfast
-30-45 minutes before working out
-30 min before another meal.
just make sure you don't take it too late in the evening or you won't be able to sleep.
my side effects are usually just a little shakiness and alot of energy, sometimes suppressed appetite.