Drug & supplement interaction

Papain + Ofatumumab

Ofatumumab brand name: Kesimpta.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Papain and Ofatumumab in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first.

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Interaction report

Papain and Ofatumumab

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Ofatumumab and Papain in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Papain safety at a glance

Papain overall Use caution Generally tolerated as a food, but supplements may irritate the digestive tract and cause allergic reactions.
Pregnancy Possibly Unsafe When used orally. There is some concern that crude papain is teratogenic and embryotoxic. Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Use caution Not enough reliable safety information exists, so it is best to avoid supplemental papain while breastfeeding.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Ofatumumab and Papain? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Ofatumumab

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Ofatumumab is filed under a single classification — immunosuppressants. Papain has documented interactions with 1 drug class — the most serious being warfarin (coumadin) (moderate) — and none of Ofatumumab’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Papain Does Interact With Other Medications

Papain has 2 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Ofatumumab isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Papain

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Papain. Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

What Papain Itself Has Been Linked To

This is not an interaction — nothing below involves Ofatumumab. It is the side-effect record for Papain on its own, from the licensed Natural Medicines monograph. If something new turns up after you add Papain, this list is the first place to look. 3 entries are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Wheezing / Shortness of breath Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Occupational exposure to airborne papain dust may cause respiratory allergic reactions. Symptoms include rhinitis, sneezing, conjunctivitis, dyspnea, wheezing, cough, and asthma. In most cases, papain is confirmed as the causative agent by skin prick tests, radioallergosorbent tests (RAST), or detection of papain-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgG.”

    Papain · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in asthma.

    5 sources cited
    1. 95532. Tymoszuk D, Wiszniewska M, Walusiak-Skorupa J. Papain-induced occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma - A case report. Med Pr 2016;67(1):109-12. PubMed
    2. 95533. Soto-Mera MT, López-Rico MR, Filgueira JF, et al. Occupational allergy to papain. Allergy 2000;55(10):983-4. PubMed
    3. 95534. Tarlo SM, Shaikh W, Bell B, et al. Papain-induced allergic reactions. Clin Allergy 1978;8(3):207-15. PubMed
    4. 95535. Baur X, König G, Bencze K, Fruhmann G. Clinical symptoms and results of skin test, RAST and bronchial provocation test in thirty-three papain workers: Evidence for strong immunogenic potency and clinically relevant proteolytic e?ects of airborne papain. C
    5. 95536. Novey HS, Keenan WJ, Fairshter RD, Wells ID, Wilson AF, Culver BD. Pulmonary disease in workers exposed to papain: clinico-physiological and immunological studies. Clin Allergy 1980;10(6):721-31. PubMed
  • Hives Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Orally and topically, papain seems to be well tolerated when used short-term at appropriate doses. Taking high oral doses may be unsafe.

    Most Common Adverse Effects:

    Orally: Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

    Topically: Urticaria and pruritus in sensitive individuals.

    Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):

    Orally: Esophageal perforation and severe gastritis with high doses.”

    Papain · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in pruritus.

  • An allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail

    Recorded for Papain in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Hives above.

  • A stuffy or runny nose Additional detail

    “Orally, papain may cause allergic reactions, including itchy watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, abdominal cramps, sweating, and diarrhea, in individuals sensitive to papain (6,967). Occupational exposure to airborne papain dust may also cause respiratory allergic reactions.”

    Papain · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    6 sources cited
    1. 6. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
    2. 967. Mansfield LE, Ting S, Haverly RW, Yoo TJ. The incidence and clinical implications of hypersensitivity to papain in an allergic population, confirmed by blinded oral challenge. Ann Allergy 1985;55:541-3.
    3. 95532. Tymoszuk D, Wiszniewska M, Walusiak-Skorupa J. Papain-induced occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma - A case report. Med Pr 2016;67(1):109-12. PubMed
    4. 95533. Soto-Mera MT, López-Rico MR, Filgueira JF, et al. Occupational allergy to papain. Allergy 2000;55(10):983-4. PubMed
    5. 95534. Tarlo SM, Shaikh W, Bell B, et al. Papain-induced allergic reactions. Clin Allergy 1978;8(3):207-15. PubMed
    6. 95535. Baur X, König G, Bencze K, Fruhmann G. Clinical symptoms and results of skin test, RAST and bronchial provocation test in thirty-three papain workers: Evidence for strong immunogenic potency and clinically relevant proteolytic e?ects of airborne papain. C
  • Sweating / Stomach pain Additional detail

    Recorded for Papain in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under A stuffy or runny nose above.

  • Cough Additional detail

    Recorded for Papain in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Wheezing / Shortness of breath above.

  • Stomach upset Additional detail

    “Orally, papain has been associated with diarrhea. In a randomized controlled trial assessing the effects of papain, trypsin, and chymotrypsin on adverse effects from radiotherapy, moderate to severe diarrhea was more frequent in the enzyme-treated group than the placebo group. However, it is unclear if this adverse effect is due to papain, other enzymes, or the combination.”

    Papain · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    3 sources cited
    1. 67834. Martin, T., Uhder, K., Kurek, R., Roeddiger, S., Schneider, L., Vogt, H. G., Heyd, R., and Zamboglou, N. Does prophylactic treatment with proteolytic enzymes reduce acute toxicity of adjuvant pelvic irradiation? Results of a double-blind randomized trial PubMed
    2. 67848. Walker-Renard, P. Update on the medicinal management of phytobezoars. Am J Gastroenterol. 1993;88(10):1663-1666.
    3. 6. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  • Itching Additional detail

    “Topically, papain can cause itching. Urticarial reactions and itching have been reported in people occupationally exposed to papain, with papain confirmed as the causative agent by skin prick tests or radioallergosorbent tests (RAST).”

    Papain · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in pruritus.

    4 sources cited
    1. 966. Shuttleworth D, Hill S, Marks R, Connelly DM. Relief of experimentally induced pruritus with a novel eutectic mixture of local anaesthetic agents. Br J Dermatol 1988;119:535-40.
    2. 95533. Soto-Mera MT, López-Rico MR, Filgueira JF, et al. Occupational allergy to papain. Allergy 2000;55(10):983-4. PubMed
    3. 95534. Tarlo SM, Shaikh W, Bell B, et al. Papain-induced allergic reactions. Clin Allergy 1978;8(3):207-15. PubMed
    4. 67834. Martin, T., Uhder, K., Kurek, R., Roeddiger, S., Schneider, L., Vogt, H. G., Heyd, R., and Zamboglou, N. Does prophylactic treatment with proteolytic enzymes reduce acute toxicity of adjuvant pelvic irradiation? Results of a double-blind randomized trial PubMed

Showing the 10 most notable of 11 recorded effects — ranked by how unusual each one is across medicines generally, with serious effects weighted up.

Everything above comes from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record for Papain — expand a row for the licensed statement it rests on. We haven’t matched Ofatumumab to its FDA label in our system yet, so we can’t compare its own side-effect list here — the leaflet that comes with your prescription is the authoritative list for Ofatumumab.

Special populations

Papain in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Possibly Unsafe

When used orally. There is some concern that crude papain is teratogenic and embryotoxic.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Overlapping uses

What Ofatumumab Is Prescribed For, and What Papain Has Been Studied For

These two come up together because they touch the same health topic — not because they do the same job. Ofatumumab is a prescription medicine with approved uses on its FDA label. Papain is a supplement: what follows is what researchers have looked at it for, and how strong that evidence is.

Ofatumumab is prescribed for: Kesimpta is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults. This includes clinically isolated syndrome (a first MS episode), relapsing-remitting MS (the most common form, with flares followed by recovery periods), and active secondary progressive MS (when the disease slowly worsens but still has active flares). It is designed to reduce relapses and slow disease activity by targeting certain immune cells believed to drive MS damage.

Papain has been studied for:

  • Cancer studied, not established Papain has been studied for this. Natural Medicines rates the evidence: Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Read what the research shows

    Papain for cancer

    Although there has been interest in using oral papain for cancer, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of papain for this purpose.

Effectiveness ratings and the research summaries above are the verbatim record from the Natural Medicines database, which grades evidence from “Effective” down to “Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate”. A rating below the top of that scale means researchers have looked at it — not that it works, and never that it can stand in for a prescribed medicine. Do not stop or replace Ofatumumab on your own; if you are taking Papain for the same health topic, tell your prescriber, especially if the medicine is being adjusted to a target.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Ofatumumab

This page covers Papain only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Ofatumumab page lists 53 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Active Hexose Correlated Compound (ahcc) (moderate), Alfalfa (moderate), American Ginseng (moderate), Andrographis (moderate) and Ashwagandha (moderate).

By severity: 52 moderate · 1 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Ofatumumab page

“Kesimpta (ofatumumab) treats multiple sclerosis by deliberately quieting part of the immune system, and all 53 supplements on this page raise the same worry from the opposite direction. Each is thought to stimulate immune activity, which could in theory blunt what the drug is trying to do.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Ofatumumab interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Papain as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 3,790 real supplement products containing Papain, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Papain. Even though Papain itself has no known interaction with Ofatumumab, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Papain and Ofatumumab Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Papain
Top 10%

#75 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Ofatumumab
Steady interest

#2,023 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Papain reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Papain and Ofatumumab records this page draws on were last updated July 11, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Papain

What is Papain?

Papain
  • Digestive support for protein digestion
  • Wound cleaning (debridement of dead tissue)
  • Sore throat and inflammation
  • Sports injuries such as sprains
  • Skin conditions

Papain is a protein-digesting enzyme from the papaya plant that is used in digestive supplements and some topical products. While it has clear food and laboratory uses, strong human evidence for most health claims is limited, and it can cause allergic reactions or throat irritation. Check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you have a latex or papaya allergy.

Carica papaya · Caricaceae · Latex (sap) from the unripe fruit; also derived from leaves · Capsules, tablets, chewable digestive enzyme blends, topical ointments and gels, meat tenderizer powder

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Papain is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Papain record says about it on its own.

Papain: dosing

There is no official, standardized dose for papain. The amount in supplements varies widely between products and is often measured in enzyme activity units rather than milligrams.The safest approach is to follow the directions on the product label and not exceed the recommended amount.

From our Papain monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Papain monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Ofatumumab Injection (Multiple Sclerosis)

What Is Ofatumumab Injection (Multiple Sclerosis) Used For?

Brand name: Kesimpta

Kesimpta is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults. This includes clinically isolated syndrome (a first MS episode), relapsing-remitting MS (the most common form, with flares followed by recovery periods), and active secondary progressive MS (when the disease slowly worsens but still has active flares).

It is designed to reduce relapses and slow disease activity by targeting certain immune cells believed to drive MS damage.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Ofatumumab

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (33,037 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Fatigue 5,534 reports
Headache 4,633 reports
Fever 3,579 reports
Chills 3,483 reports
Influenza like illness 2,900 reports
See full Ofatumumab Injection (Multiple Sclerosis) drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Papain

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Papain — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
2Moderate
0Minor
2,827No known interaction
Moderate

2 interactions

No interaction 2,827 drugs checked — show the list
Evidence & sources

Papain References

The 11 references that drive our Papain monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  2. Shaw D, Leon C, Kolev S, Murray V. Traditional remedies and food supplements: a 5-year toxicological study (1991-1995). Drug Saf 1997;17:342-56.
  3. Shuttleworth D, Hill S, Marks R, Connelly DM. Relief of experimentally induced pruritus with a novel eutectic mixture of local anaesthetic agents. Br J Dermatol 1988;119:535-40.
  4. Mansfield LE, Ting S, Haverly RW, Yoo TJ. The incidence and clinical implications of hypersensitivity to papain in an allergic population, confirmed by blinded oral challenge. Ann Allergy 1985;55:541-3.
  5. Martin, T., Uhder, K., Kurek, R., Roeddiger, S., Schneider, L., Vogt, H. G., Heyd, R., and Zamboglou, N. Does prophylactic treatment with proteolytic enzymes reduce acute toxicity of adjuvant pelvic irradiation? Results of a double-blind randomized trial PubMed
  6. Walker-Renard, P. Update on the medicinal management of phytobezoars. Am J Gastroenterol. 1993;88(10):1663-1666.
  7. Tymoszuk D, Wiszniewska M, Walusiak-Skorupa J. Papain-induced occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma - A case report. Med Pr 2016;67(1):109-12. PubMed
  8. Soto-Mera MT, López-Rico MR, Filgueira JF, et al. Occupational allergy to papain. Allergy 2000;55(10):983-4. PubMed
  9. Tarlo SM, Shaikh W, Bell B, et al. Papain-induced allergic reactions. Clin Allergy 1978;8(3):207-15. PubMed
  10. Baur X, König G, Bencze K, Fruhmann G. Clinical symptoms and results of skin test, RAST and bronchial provocation test in thirty-three papain workers: Evidence for strong immunogenic potency and clinically relevant proteolytic e?ects of airborne papain. C
  11. Novey HS, Keenan WJ, Fairshter RD, Wells ID, Wilson AF, Culver BD. Pulmonary disease in workers exposed to papain: clinico-physiological and immunological studies. Clin Allergy 1980;10(6):721-31. PubMed

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Papain and Ofatumumab Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Papain with Ofatumumab?
We do not list a known interaction between Papain and Ofatumumab. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Are Papain and Ofatumumab used for the same thing?
They overlap in purpose, which usually means the real question is whether you need both rather than whether they are safe together. This page lists the shared uses and how strong the evidence is for Papain in each. That is a conversation for your prescriber, especially if Ofatumumab is being adjusted to a target.
How was the Papain and Ofatumumab combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Ofatumumab is filed under 1 classification, and Papain has documented interactions with 1 drug class — none of Ofatumumab's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.
Does Papain interact with any other medications?
Yes. Papain has 2 documented drug interactions in our database — Ofatumumab is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.
Does Ofatumumab interact with any supplements?
Yes. Ofatumumab has documented interactions with 53 supplements in our database — Papain is not one of them. The Ofatumumab interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Ofatumumab and Papain?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.