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Dietary supplement

Bromelain 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Thompson

Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Bromelain 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Thompson with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for inflammation and swelling, sinus and nasal congestion, digestion support.Based on those ingredients, 141 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bromelain. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Bromelain 500 mg by Thompson

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

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme derived from pineapple. Each capsule delivers 500 mg.

The inactive ingredients are gelatin (the capsule itself), silica, cellulose, and magnesium stearate (binders and flow agents).

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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 assessable

We hold no graded evidence for this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: protein digestion and normal digestive function.
  • Our graded evidence for these ingredients doesn't cover that particular purpose.

The evidence for bromelain's effectiveness is insufficient to rate for the conditions studied so far — that includes hay fever, burns, cancer, nerve damage from chemotherapy, poor circulation in the veins, and diabetes. The data we hold doesn't establish that it works for these uses, but it also doesn't prove it doesn't.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Bromelain

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 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Bromelain taken by mouth is generally well tolerated short-term, though long-term safety data is limited. The most common side effects are diarrhea, flatulence, stomach upset, and headache.

Some people may have allergic reactions — in rare cases, inhaled bromelain has caused asthma, throat tightness, eye irritation, and other allergy symptoms. There isn't enough safety data during pregnancy, so bromelain is best avoided then.

Safety while breastfeeding is unknown, so avoid it as well.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Bromelain

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 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Bromelain.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 141 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.

Before taking this, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel) — bromelain raises bleeding risk. Also flag tetracycline antibiotics if you're on one, since bromelain may change how much you absorb.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Bromelain is generally well tolerated for short-term use in people without blood-clotting disorders or allergies. If you take blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs, or tetracycline antibiotics, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — the bleeding risk and absorption changes matter.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are reasons to skip it. The evidence for what it actually treats isn't yet strong enough to say.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Aug 26, 2014.

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 Bromelain 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Thompson
Barcode (UPC) 031315196164
Net contents 30 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 26, 2014
DSLD ID 36659
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
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 Bromelain 500 mg by Thompson, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
15
UPC/BARCODE
031315196164
IngredientAmount% DV
Bromelain1 Gram(s)--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Silica, Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate

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.
General Statements

TWICE DAILY

Keep your licensed health care practitioner informed when using this product.

Discussion: Bromelain is a natural plant enzyme that supports normal protein digestion in the stomach and also help digest protein debris in other areas of the body.

SINCE 1932

SUPER STRENGTH ENZYME

FRESH HEALTHY

FDA Statement of Identity

DIETARY SUPPLEMENT

Precautions

WARNING: Do not use if safety seal is broken or missing.

Keep out of reach of children.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Use only as directed. Take two capsules up to two times daily with a meal or glass of water.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Our own laboratory analysis guarantees purity and freshness of all Thompson(R) products.

(C)2007

General

1033606 1007

See for yourself

Bromelain 500 mg by Thompson label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Bromelain 500 mg by Thompson

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container15 Amounts shown are per serving.

Bromelain

Interacts with
141 drugs
1 Gram(s) per serving Form: Pineapple

Bromelain is a group of protein-digesting enzymes from pineapple that people take mainly for inflammation, swelling, and sinus problems. Some early st...

Bromelain monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Silica, Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Bromelain 500 mg by Thompson Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Bromelain 500 mg?

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
141Drugs
122 Moderate 19 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Bromelain 141

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Bromelain 500 mg 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.

Bromelain2 drug types · 141 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
There is one case report of a patient experiencing minor bruising while taking bromelain with naproxen. Bromelain is thought to have antiplatelet activity. Whether this interaction is of concern with topical bromelain is unclear. Interference with coagulation of burn wounds has been reported in a patient receiving bromelain-based enzymatic debridement. However, observational research has found that topical bromelain debridement is not associated with increases or decreases in laboratory markers of coagulation when compared with surgical debridement.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Tetracycline Antibiotics

Theoretically, bromelain might increase levels of tetracycline antibiotics.
Laboratory research suggests that bromelain might increase the absorption of tetracycline antibiotics. However, a study in healthy adults reported no difference in tetracycline plasma levels when a 500 mg dose was taken with or without bromelain 80 mg.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Bromelain 500 mg, from the product label.

Thompson

See all Thompson products
Name
Nutraceutical Corp.
Web Address
www.nutraceutical.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Bromelain 500 mg by Thompson: Common Questions

Does Bromelain 500 mg by Thompson interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Bromelain 500 mg has a known interaction with 141 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Bromelain 500 mg contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism 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.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. There isn't enough safety data in pregnancy, so it's best avoided then. Safety while breastfeeding is unknown as well, so skip it during that time too. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.
What are the most common side effects?
When taken by mouth, the most common side effects are diarrhea, flatulence, stomach upset, and headache. A small number of people may have allergic reactions. If you're allergic to pineapple, you're at higher risk.
Does bromelain actually work for burns, allergies, or diabetes?
The evidence for these uses isn't strong enough yet to say. Our data rates the evidence as insufficient for hay fever, burns, cancer, nerve damage from chemo, poor circulation, and diabetes — so we can't claim it works for them.
How long can I take bromelain safely?
It's generally well tolerated short-term, but long-term safety data is limited. If you're thinking of taking it regularly for weeks or months, check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
What does bromelain actually do?
Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme from pineapple. Theoretically it may have effects on blood clotting and inflammation, but the evidence for specific conditions isn't established yet.

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

Not sure if Bromelain 500 mg is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

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.

Bromelain 500 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Bromelain 500 mg'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 19 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.

Bromelain 19 references
  1. Nettis E, Napoli G, Ferrannini A, Tursi A. IgE-mediated allergy to bromelain. Allergy 2001;56:257-8. PubMed
  2. Taussig SJ, Batkin S. Bromelain, the enzyme complex of pineapple (Ananas comosus) and its clinical application. An update. J Ethnopharmacol 1988;22:191-203.. PubMed
  3. Bradbrook ID, Morrison PJ, Rogers HJ. The effect of bromelain on the absorption of orally administered tetracycline. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1978;6:552-4. PubMed
  4. Bush TM, Rayburn KS, Holloway SW, et al. Adverse interactions between herbal and dietary substances and prescription medications: a clinical survey. Altern Ther Health Med 2007;13:30-5.
  5. Brien S, Lewith G, Walker AF, et al. Bromelain as an adjunctive treatment for moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. QJM 2006;99:841-50. PubMed
  6. Mori S, Ojima Y, Hirose T, et al. The clinical effect of proteolytic enzyme containing bromelain and trypsin on urinary tract infection evaluated by double blind method. Acta Obstet Gynaecol Jpn 1972;19:147-53.
  7. Glaser D, Hilberg T. The influence of bromelain on platelet count and platelet activity in vitro. Platelets 2006;17:37-41. PubMed
  8. Heinicke R M, van der Wal L, Yokoyama M. Effect of bromelain (Ananase) on human platelet aggregation. Experientia 1972;28:844-5. PubMed
  9. Gailhofer, G., Wilders-Truschnig, M., Smolle, J., and Ludvan, M. Asthma caused by bromelain: an occupational allergy. Clin Allergy 1988;18(5):445-450. PubMed
  10. Mattei, O., Fabri, G., and Farina, G. [Occupational health experience regarding four cases of asthma due to bromelain (author's transl)]. Medicina del Lavoro 1979;70(5):404-409.
  11. Galleguillos, F. and Rodriguez, J. C. Asthma caused by bromelin inhalation. Clin Allergy 1978;8(1):21-24. PubMed
  12. Perez-Camo I, Quirce S, Duran MA, and et al. Latex allergy: evidence of cross-reactivity with papain and bromelain [abstract]. Allergy 1996;51(suppl 31):48.
  13. Martin GJ, Ehrenreich J, and Asbell N. Bromelain: pineapple proteases with anti-edema activity. Exp Med Surg 1962;20:227-247.
  14. Kasemsuk T, Saengpetch N, Sibmooh N, Unchern S. Improved WOMAC score following 16-week treatment with bromelain for knee osteoarthritis. Clin Rheumatol. 2016 Oct;35(10):2531-40. PubMed
  15. Kutlu Ö, DemirbaS A, Elmas ÖF, Güvenç U, Metin A. Fixed drug eruption: a new side effect of bromelain. Contact Dermatitis 2020. Online ahead of print. PubMed
  16. Shoham Y, Shapira E, Haik J, et al. Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement of chronic wounds: Results of a multicentre randomized controlled trial. Wound Repair Regen 2021;29(6):899-907. PubMed
  17. Pfister P, Garcia Wendel PD, Kim BS, et al. Coagulation side effects of enzymatic debridement in burned patients. Burns 2022. PubMed
  18. Hasham S, Riyat H, Fletcher A, O'Boyle CP, Alexander S. To bleed or not to bleed? Case series and discussion of haemorrhage risk with enzymatic debridement in burn injuries. Scars Burn Heal 2023;9:20595131231168333. PubMed
  19. Leelakanok N, Petchsomrit A, Janurai T, Saechan C, Sunsandee N. Efficacy and safety of bromelain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Health 2023. PubMed

See these in context on the Bromelain 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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