Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 3 of 5 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Bilex Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Douglas Laboratories

Bilex label
See full label image
Tablet Or Pill Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 23, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Bilex against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Bilex is a dietary supplement by Douglas Laboratories with 5 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestion and bloating, muscle soreness and exercise recovery, inflammation and swelling.Based on those ingredients, 2 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Papain. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Bilex by Douglas Laboratories

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Bilex by Douglas Laboratories — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Bilex by Douglas Laboratories

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 12, 2026

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 5 active ingredients.
  • “Pancreatin” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (47 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Bilex contains five active ingredients: amylase, protease, lipase, pancreatin, and papain. These are digestive enzymes—proteins that break down food into smaller molecules your body can absorb.

Amylase breaks down carbohydrates; protease breaks down proteins; lipase breaks down fats; and papain (from papaya) is another protein-digesting enzyme. Pancreatin is a blend of these three main enzyme types extracted from pig pancreas.

Ox bile powder helps your body absorb and process fats during digestion.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Digestive support and enzyme supplementation.
  • We looked for evidence on: Dyspepsia, Exercise-induced muscle soreness, Wound healing, Bloating, Indigestion, Inflammation.
  • The closest evidence on file: Papain is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Exercise-induced muscle soreness (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Papain is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Wound healing.
  • Also on file: Lipase is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Dyspepsia.

The evidence supporting these digestive enzymes remains limited. For lipase, the data we hold shows insufficient evidence to rate its use for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), indigestion (dyspepsia), or premature infants.

For papain, there is insufficient evidence for cancer, dental cavities, radiation skin damage, exercise-related muscle soreness, shingles pain, or parasitic infections. No effectiveness ratings are on file for amylase, protease, pancreatin, or ox bile powder.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) Lipase Papain

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 3 of the 3 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 3 of 3.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 3 of 3.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Protease is generally well tolerated in adults but may cause digestive upset or allergic reactions; rarely, people with occupational exposure to protease have developed allergic rhinitis or asthma. Lipase is also generally well tolerated in supplement form, though people with serious digestive conditions should use it only under medical guidance.

Papain is generally tolerated as a food, but supplements may irritate the digestive tract and trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people. High oral doses of papain may be unsafe and can rarely cause severe stomach inflammation or perforation.

Occupational exposure to airborne papain dust may cause respiratory allergic symptoms including wheezing, cough, and asthma.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) Lipase Papain

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 3 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Papain.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 2 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

If you take warfarin (Coumadin) or any other blood thinner, double-check this product with your pharmacist—papain may increase blood-thinning effects. Altogether, these interactions span 2 individual medications.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Bilex is a digestive enzyme blend meant to support your body's breakdown and absorption of food. If you take warfarin or another blood thinner, check with your pharmacist before starting—papain in this product may affect how your blood thinner works.

If you have a serious digestive condition or are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 3 of 5 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Feb 23, 2022.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Bilex, straight from the product label.

Brand Douglas Laboratories
Barcode (UPC) 310539012772
Net contents 90 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 23, 2022
DSLD ID 260997
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Bilex by Douglas Laboratories, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
3 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
3 Tablet(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
310539012772
IngredientAmount% DV
Amylase0 NP--
Protease0 NP--
Lipase0 NP--
Pancreatin47 mg--
Ox Bile powder380 mg--
Papain0 NP--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Coating, Stearic Acid, Croscarmellose Sodium, Vegetable Stearate, Silica

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, adults take 3 tablets daily with meals or as directed by your health professional.

Precautions

Warning: If you are pregnant, nursing, have any health condition or taking any medication, consult your health professional before using this product.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Use only if safety seal is intact.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Formulation

Gluten-fee, Non-GMO

Healthy digestive function

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

General Statements

Contents may not fill package in order to accommodate required labeling. Please rely on stated quantity. Scan to learn about our manufacturing excellence

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Bilex by Douglas Laboratories label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Bilex label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Bilex by Douglas Laboratories

These are the 5 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size3 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Pancreatin

47 mg per serving Form: Porcine

Ox Bile powder

380 mg per serving

Papain

Interacts with
2 drugs
0 NP per serving Form: Papaya

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 an...

Papain monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Coating, Stearic Acid, Croscarmellose Sodium, Vegetable Stearate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Bilex by Douglas Laboratories Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Bilex?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
2Drugs
2 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Papain 2

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Bilex interact with 2 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 5 ingredients in Bilex interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Papain

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Bilex with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Papain1 drug type · 2 drugs

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, papain might increase the effects and side effects of warfarin.
In one case report, a patient previously stable on warfarin was found to have an international normalization ratio (INR) of 7.4, which was attributed to ingestion of a supplement containing papain from papaya extract.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Papain full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Bilex, from the product label.

Douglas Laboratories

See all Douglas Laboratories products
Name
Douglas Laboratories
Street Address
600 Boyce Road
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
ZipCode
15205
Phone Number
1.800.245.4440
Web Address
www.douglaslabs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Bilex by Douglas Laboratories: Common Questions

Does Bilex by Douglas Laboratories interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Bilex has a known interaction with 2 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Bilex contains 5 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
What does each ingredient in Bilex do?
Amylase breaks down carbohydrates; protease and papain break down proteins; and lipase breaks down fats. Pancreatin is a blend of all three main enzymes, and ox bile helps your body absorb fats. Together they're meant to help your digestive system process food.
Is papain safe during pregnancy?
No. Concentrated papain and unripe papaya products are considered possibly unsafe in pregnancy and are best avoided unless your doctor prescribes it. There isn't enough reliable data on breastfeeding either, so check with your healthcare provider first.
What are the side effects?
Protease and papain can cause digestive upset or allergic reactions in sensitive people. Papain at high doses may rarely cause severe stomach inflammation. Occupational exposure to papain dust can trigger respiratory allergies like wheezing or asthma, though taking it by mouth is generally well tolerated.
Does this product actually work for digestion?
The evidence we hold doesn't establish how well these enzymes work for indigestion or other digestive conditions. The data shows insufficient evidence to rate them. If you're considering Bilex for a specific digestive problem, talk with your pharmacist about whether it might help you.
Can I take this if I have a serious digestive condition?
People with serious digestive conditions should only use lipase-containing products under medical guidance. If you have IBD, a sensitive stomach, or another serious condition, check with your doctor before starting.
Is there anything in this I should be allergic to?
Protease and papain can both trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people. If you're allergic to papayas, papain supplements may also bother you. If you notice itchy eyes, a runny nose, or abdominal cramps after taking it, stop and tell your pharmacist.

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

Not sure if Bilex is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Bilex label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Bilex’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases)

Proteolytic enzymes are proteins that help break down other proteins, and common examples include bromelain (from pineapple), papain (from papaya), trypsin, chymotrypsin, and pancreatin. Peo...

Read the full Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Lipase

Lipase is a digestive enzyme that helps your body break down dietary fats. It is well established as part of prescription pancreatic enzyme therapy for people who cannot make enough of their...

Read the full Lipase monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Papain

Interacts with 2 drugs

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...

Read the full Papain monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Bilex's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 15 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) 3 references
  1. Weeks JA, Harper RA, Simon RA, Burdick JD. Assessment of sensitization risk of a laundry pre-spotter containing protease. Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2011;30(4):272-9. PubMed
  2. Marquès LI, Lara S, Abós T, Bartolomé B. Occupational rhinitis due to pepsin. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2006;16(2):136-7. DOI
  3. Cartier A, Malo JL, Pineau L, Dolovich J. Occupational asthma due to pepsin. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1984;73(5 Pt 1):574-7. PubMed

See these in context on the Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) monograph →

Lipase 1 reference
  1. Casper C, Hascoet JM, Ertl T, et al. Recombinant bile salt-stimulated lipase in preterm infant feeding: A randomized phase 3 study. PLoS One. 2016;11(5):e0156071. PubMed

See these in context on the Lipase monograph →

Papain 11 references
  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

See these in context on the Papain monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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