Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 5 of 8 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Digestive Enzyme Complex Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Innerzyme

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

Digestive Enzyme Complex is a dietary supplement by Innerzyme with 8 active ingredients. 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, Papain. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Digestive Enzyme Complex by Innerzyme

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 8 of its 8 active ingredients.
  • “Digestive Enzyme Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label doesn't break down how much of each component you get.

Innerzyme contains 8 active digestive enzymes. Bromelain, derived from pineapple, and papain, from papaya, are plant proteases that break down proteins.

Protease is a protein-digesting enzyme, while amylase breaks down carbohydrates and lipase breaks down fats. Lactase helps digest milk sugar (lactose), and cellulase and hemicellulase break down plant fiber.

The product also includes inactive ingredients — microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable capsule material, rice bran, rice flour, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide — which serve as binders and fillers.

Does it work?

Strong evidence
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
Strong

Clinical evidence supports at least one of this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: digestive enzyme support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Dyspepsia, Lactose intolerance, Indigestion, Bloating.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Lactase is rated "Effective" for Lactose intolerance (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Lipase is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Dyspepsia.

The evidence base for most of these enzymes is limited. For bromelain and papain, we have insufficient reliable evidence to rate their effectiveness for conditions like allergic rhinitis, burns, cancer, and exercise-induced muscle soreness.

Papain similarly lacks adequate evidence for dental health, radiation skin damage, shingles, and parasitic infections. Lipase and protease have not been established to treat the conditions often claimed for them, such as poor digestion or inflammatory bowel disease.

The one exception is lactase: it is effective for lactose intolerance, helping people who lack enough of the body's own lactase enzyme digest milk products.

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

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 5 of the 5 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 5 of 5.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 5 of 5.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Bromelain and papain are generally well tolerated when taken by mouth short-term, though long-term safety data for bromelain is limited. Common side effects include diarrhea, gas, stomach upset, and headache.

Allergic reactions can occur in sensitive people, and inhaling bromelain powder occupationally may trigger asthma or throat and eye irritation. Papain may cause allergic reactions, especially at high doses, and high-dose papain has rarely caused serious stomach perforation or severe gastritis.

Protease and lipase are also generally well tolerated but may trigger digestive upset or allergic reactions in some people. Lactase is considered likely safe and has caused only rare contact allergies in occupational exposure.

During pregnancy, bromelain and papain safety data advises against their use; protease, lipase, and lactase have limited safety data, so a decision requires input from your doctor. Breastfeeding safety is unknown for bromelain, papain, and protease; lipase and lactase have limited data, so check with your pharmacist or doctor.

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

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?
  • 2 of the 5 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Papain, 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.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs — bromelain may increase bleeding risk, and papain specifically interacts with warfarin (Moderate severity both). If you take tetracycline antibiotics, bromelain may theoretically alter their absorption, though human evidence is mixed (Minor severity).

These are the documented concerns for the ingredients we could check.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with clinical evidence supporting its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This enzyme blend is meant to support digestion, though solid evidence for most of these enzymes is thin. If you take blood thinners (especially warfarin or aspirin-type drugs) or tetracycline antibiotics, you'll want to run this product past your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

It's generally well tolerated, but allergic reactions and digestive upset are possible, and pregnancy or breastfeeding warrants a conversation with your healthcare provider.

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

Assessment coverage: 5 of 8 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 25, 2015.

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 Digestive Enzyme Complex, straight from the product label.

Brand Innerzyme
Barcode (UPC) 871230004812
Net contents 90 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2015
DSLD ID 50206
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 Digestive Enzyme Complex by Innerzyme, 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
45
UPC/BARCODE
871230004812
IngredientAmount% DV
Bromelain120 GDU--
Papain6000000 FCCPU--
Amylase400 DU--
Protease10 SAPU--
Lipase60 FCCLU--
Lactase20 ALU--
Cellulase10 CU--
Hemicellulase10 HCU--
Digestive Enzyme Blend0 NP--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetable capsule, Rice Bran, Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide

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

P481

General Statements

Manufactured in an cGMP certified facility. Made in USA from domestic and foreign materials

1Gelatin Digesting Units; 2FCC Papain Units; 3Spectrophometic Acid Protease Units; 4Dextrinizing Units; 5FCC Lipase Units; 6Hemoglobin Units Tyrosine; 7Acid Lactase Units; 8Cellulase Units; 9Hemicellulase Units.

"For an Inner Body Experience"

Seals/Symbols

POST CONSUMER RECYCLED BOTTLE

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Take 2 capsules up to three times daily with meals.

Precautions

Note: If you have any health conditions or are taking any medications, consult your health care practitioner before using this product.

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

See for yourself

Digestive Enzyme Complex by Innerzyme label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Digestive Enzyme Complex by Innerzyme

These are the 8 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container45 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.

Digestive Enzyme Blend

0 NP per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetable capsule, Rice Bran, Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Digestive Enzyme Complex by Innerzyme Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Digestive Enzyme Complex?

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
Papain 2

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Digestive Enzyme Complex with known interactions, here are the types of medications they 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

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
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Digestive Enzyme Complex, from the product label.

Innerzyme

See all Innerzyme products
Name
Innerzyme
Street Address
PO Box 26465
City
Scottsdale
State
AZ
ZipCode
85255
Web Address
www.innerzyme.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Digestive Enzyme Complex by Innerzyme: Common Questions

Does Digestive Enzyme Complex by Innerzyme interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Digestive Enzyme Complex 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?
Digestive Enzyme Complex contains 8 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.
Can I take this if I'm on warfarin or another blood thinner?
Not without checking first. Papain in this product has a documented interaction with warfarin that raised one patient's blood-thinning level dangerously high, and bromelain may also increase bleeding risk with these drugs. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting — they can weigh the benefit against the risk for you.
What are the main side effects I might notice?
Most people tolerate it well, but diarrhea, gas, stomach upset, and headache are the common ones reported with bromelain and papain. Allergic reactions are possible in sensitive people. If you notice itching, swelling, or trouble breathing, stop and seek medical help.
Is it safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data for bromelain and papain advises against use in pregnancy. For protease, lipase, and lactase, there isn't enough data to be sure either way — your doctor or pharmacist can give you personalized advice based on your situation.
Does this actually help with digestion?
Lactase, one ingredient here, is proven effective for lactose intolerance. For the others — bromelain, papain, protease, lipase, and the fiber-digesting enzymes — we don't have reliable evidence that they improve digestion in people without an enzyme deficiency.
What's the difference between bromelain and papain?
Both are plant enzymes that break down protein. Bromelain comes from pineapple and papain from papaya. Papain is specifically documented to interact with warfarin, while bromelain may increase bleeding risk with blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs more broadly.
Can I take this with tetracycline antibiotics like doxycycline?
Bromelain might theoretically increase how much tetracycline your body absorbs, though a human study found no actual change in drug levels. It's still worth mentioning to your doctor or pharmacist so they can monitor you if needed.

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

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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.

Digestive Enzyme Complex label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Digestive Enzyme Complex’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Digestive Enzyme Complex'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 35 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 →

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 →

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 →

Lactase 1 reference
  1. Laukkanen A, Ruoppi P, Remes S, Koistinen T, Mäkinen-Kiljunen S. Lactase-induced occupational protein contact dermatitis and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Contact Dermatitis. 2007;57(2):89-93. PubMed

See these in context on the Lactase 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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