Learn Hardcore Italian: Lo sciroppo, lo prendo dopo cena.

The first lo is the definite article meaning “the” in front of sciroppo. The second lo is a direct-object clitic pronoun meaning “it,” which resumes the fronted object. This structure is called left dislocation with a resumptive clitic: you front the object to make it the topic, and you still need the clitic inside the clause.

Can I drop the second lo?

No. In Italian, if you front a direct object (left dislocation), you must resume it with a clitic. So Lo sciroppo, prendo dopo cena is ungrammatical. Use one of these instead:

Prendo lo sciroppo dopo cena.
Lo prendo dopo cena. (if “the syrup” is already clear from context)
Dopo cena prendo lo sciroppo.

Is the comma required?

The comma marks the spoken pause and highlights the topicalized element. You’ll also see it without the comma: Lo sciroppo lo prendo dopo cena. Both are fine; the comma simply mirrors natural intonation and improves readability.

How does this differ from Prendo lo sciroppo dopo cena?