Digestive Enzymes Ingredients & Drug Interactions
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Digestive Enzymes 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
Digestive Enzymes is a dietary supplement by Doctor's Best with 16 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestive support for protein digestion, wound cleaning (debridement of dead tissue), sore throat and inflammation.Based on those ingredients, 306 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bacillus subtilis, Bromelain, Papain. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Digestive Enzymes by Doctor's Best
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Digestive Enzymes by Doctor's Best — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.
AI summaries are generated from our interaction database for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Digestive Enzymes by Doctor's Best
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.
What’s inside
Low disclosure
This product contains 16 active ingredients, most of them enzymes that break down different parts of food. Amylase, protease, and lipase split carbohydrates, proteins, and fats respectively.
Papain and bromelain are plant-based protein digesters. Lactase breaks down milk sugar — it's rated effective for lactose intolerance.
The product also includes cellulase and hemicellulase (for plant fiber), invertase and glucoamylase (for sugars), alpha-galactosidase (for complex carbs), xylanase and beta-glucanase (for grain fibers), phytase (for mineral absorption), dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (a protein fragment processor), and Bacillus subtilis, a beneficial bacterium. The only inactive ingredient listed is hypromellose, a capsule material.
Does it work?
Strong evidence
Lactase is rated effective for lactose intolerance. Bacillus subtilis is possibly effective for antibiotic-associated diarrhea — the kind that happens after you've taken antibiotics.
For everything else — papain, bromelain, protease, lipase, phytase, and the other enzymes — the evidence we hold isn't strong enough to rate them. That doesn't mean they don't work; it means reliable human studies either haven't been done or haven't shown clear benefit.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Most of these enzymes are generally well tolerated at normal doses. Papain may irritate your digestive tract and can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people — symptoms include itchy watery eyes, runny nose, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
Bromelain commonly causes diarrhea, gas, and stomach upset. Protease, lipase, phytase, and Bacillus subtilis are all tolerated by healthy adults, though serious digestive conditions warrant medical guidance.
Allergic reactions to airborne enzyme powder have been reported in occupational settings, but oral use is generally safe for the lungs. Papain is possibly unsafe in pregnancy and should be avoided — concentrated papain and unripe papaya products pose safety concerns.
Bromelain and Bacillus subtilis haven't been studied well enough in pregnancy or breastfeeding, so avoid them unless your doctor advises otherwise. Lactase is likely safe in pregnancy and lactation.
Data on the other enzymes during pregnancy and breastfeeding are either limited or absent, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist first if you're pregnant or nursing.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
If you take warfarin or any anticoagulant or antiplatelet drug (blood thinners or anti-clotting medications), flag this product — papain and bromelain both carry Moderate risk of increased bleeding. Tetracycline antibiotics may interact with bromelain.
Antibiotic drugs given at the same time as this product may reduce how well the Bacillus subtilis works. Check your specific medications before starting.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with strong clinical evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
This is a multi-enzyme formula most useful if you have lactose intolerance — lactase is the only ingredient with solid evidence. If you take warfarin, any other blood thinner, or antibiotic drugs, check your exact medications on this page before starting.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding require a conversation with your own doctor or pharmacist. For general digestive support, the other enzymes are commonly used, but the science backing them individually is thin.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 7 of 16 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Nov 21, 2019.
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
General information
Key facts about Digestive Enzymes, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Doctor's Best |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 753950002081 |
| Net contents | 10 Veggie Cap(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Nov 21, 2019 |
| DSLD ID | 209440 |
| Product type | Non-nutrient/non-botanical |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free |
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 Enzymes by Doctor's Best, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Amylase | 0 NP | -- |
| Papain | 0 NP | -- |
| Bromelain | 0 NP | -- |
| Protease | 0 NP | -- |
| Lipase | 0 NP | -- |
| Lactase | 0 NP | -- |
| Cellulase | 0 NP | -- |
| Invertase | 0 NP | -- |
| Glucoamylase | 0 NP | -- |
| Alpha-Galactosidase | 0 NP | -- |
| Xylanase | 0 NP | -- |
| Beta-Glucanase | 0 NP | -- |
| Phytase | 0 NP | -- |
| Hemicellulase | 0 NP | -- |
| Digestive Enzyme Blend | 0 NP | -- |
| Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV | 0 NP | -- |
| Bacillus subtilis | 0 NP | -- |
Other ingredients: Hypromellose
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
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
Science-Based Nutrition
Formulation
Helps support healthy digestion
Vegetarian
Non-GMO Gluten free
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
Seals/Symbols
Vegetarian
Formula
Doctor's Best Digestive Enzymes is a uniquely formulated, full-spectrum high potency digestive enzyme blend created to complement and support the body's own digestive capacities.
Each capsule provides the body with enzymes designed to optimally aid the digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates present in cooked and raw food. The formula supplies the added support of alpha-galactosidase and beta-glucanase to break down vegetables, beans and grains, and enzymes such as glucoamylase and invertase to assist with the digestion of sugars. In addition, this complete formula contains friendly bacteria to uniquely promote optimal intestinal health.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Suggested Adult Use: Take 1 capsule with each meal, or as recommended by a nutritionally-informed physician.
Storage
Store in a cool dry place.
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Digestive Enzymes by Doctor's Best label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
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)The Ingredients in Digestive Enzymes by Doctor's Best
These are the 16 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Veggie Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container10 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.
Other (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Digestive Enzymes by Doctor's Best Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Doctor's Best Digestive Enzymes has documented interactions through its papain, bromelain, and Bacillus subtilis content.
The most serious is a Moderate interaction: papain may increase the effects and side effects of warfarin (a blood thinner), potentially raising your clotting time to dangerous levels — one case report documented a patient's international normalization ratio jump to 7.4 after taking a papain-containing supplement.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Bromelain carries Moderate risk with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs (blood thinners and anti-clotting medications like aspirin, clopidogrel, and warfarin), as it may increase bleeding risk. It also has a Minor interaction with tetracycline antibiotics, where lab work suggests it might raise antibiotic levels, though a clinical study showed no real difference in practice.
Bacillus subtilis, a live-organism probiotic in this product, has a Moderate interaction with antibiotic drugs — taking them at the same time may kill off the bacteria and reduce the product's effectiveness. We could not check amylase, cellulase, invertase, glucoamylase, alpha-galactosidase, xylanase, beta-glucanase, hemicellulase, or dipeptidyl peptidase-IV for interactions.
Altogether, these interactions span 306 individual medications.
Use the medication checker below to search your exact drugs before you start.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Digestive Enzymes?
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 checkerIngredients driving the most interactions
Individual Drug Interactions
The ingredients in Digestive Enzymes interact with 306 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
3 of the 16 ingredients in Digestive Enzymes interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Bacillus subtilis Bromelain Papain
AbciximabReoPro
How Abciximab interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Abciximab interactionAbrocitinibCibinqo
How Abrocitinib interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Abrocitinib interactionAcenocoumarolSintrom
How Acenocoumarol interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Acenocoumarol interactionAcetaminophen, AspirinGemnisyn
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Acetaminophen, Aspirin interactionAcetaminophen, Aspirin, CaffeineExcedrin, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine
How Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine interactionAcetaminophen, IbuprofenCombogesic
How Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen interactionAcetylsalicylic AcidEntrophen
How Acetylsalicylic Acid interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Acetylsalicylic Acid interactionAlteplase, TpaActilyse, Activase
How Alteplase, Tpa interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Alteplase, Tpa interactionAluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin Codeine #2
How Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interactionAluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin
How Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide interactionAmikacinAmikin, Arikayce
How Amikacin interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bacillus SubtilisAntibiotic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking Bacillus subtilis with antibiotic drugs might decrease the effectiveness of B.
Read the full Bacillus Subtilis + Amikacin interactionAmoxicillinAmix, Amoram, Amoxident, Amoxil Capsules, Amoxil Injection, Galenamox +3 more
How Amoxicillin interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bacillus SubtilisAntibiotic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking Bacillus subtilis with antibiotic drugs might decrease the effectiveness of B.
Read the full Bacillus Subtilis + Amoxicillin interactionAmoxicillin VeterinaryBiomox
How Amoxicillin Veterinary interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bacillus SubtilisAntibiotic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking Bacillus subtilis with antibiotic drugs might decrease the effectiveness of B.
Read the full Bacillus Subtilis + Amoxicillin Veterinary interactionAmoxicillin, Clavulanate PotassiumAugmentin, Augmentin '125/31 SF', Augmentin '250/62 SF', Augmentin XR, Augmentin-Duo 400/57, Clavulin
How Amoxicillin, Clavulanate Potassium interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bacillus SubtilisAntibiotic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking Bacillus subtilis with antibiotic drugs might decrease the effectiveness of B.
Read the full Bacillus Subtilis + Amoxicillin, Clavulanate Potassium interactionAmoxicillin, Omeprazole Magnesium, RifabutinTalicia
How Amoxicillin, Omeprazole Magnesium, Rifabutin interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bacillus SubtilisAntibiotic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking Bacillus subtilis with antibiotic drugs might decrease the effectiveness of B.
Read the full Bacillus Subtilis + Amoxicillin, Omeprazole Magnesium, Rifabutin interactionAmphotericin, TetracyclineMysteclin-F
How Amphotericin, Tetracycline interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bacillus SubtilisAntibiotic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking Bacillus subtilis with antibiotic drugs might decrease the effectiveness of B.
Read the full Bacillus Subtilis + Amphotericin, Tetracycline interactionBromelainTetracycline Antibiotics Minor
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bromelain might increase levels of tetracycline antibiotics.
Read the full Bromelain + Amphotericin, Tetracycline interactionAmpicillinOmnipen, Omnipen-N, Penbritin, Principen, Rimacillin
How Ampicillin interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bacillus SubtilisAntibiotic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking Bacillus subtilis with antibiotic drugs might decrease the effectiveness of B.
Read the full Bacillus Subtilis + Ampicillin interactionAmpicillin, SulbactamUnasyn
How Ampicillin, Sulbactam interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bacillus SubtilisAntibiotic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking Bacillus subtilis with antibiotic drugs might decrease the effectiveness of B.
Read the full Bacillus Subtilis + Ampicillin, Sulbactam interactionAnacaulase-bcdbNexoBrid
How Anacaulase-bcdb interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Anacaulase-bcdb interactionAnagrelideAgrylin
How Anagrelide interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Anagrelide interactionAnisindioneMiradon
How Anisindione interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Anisindione interactionAntithrombin IiiThrombate III
How Antithrombin Iii interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Antithrombin Iii interactionApixabanEliquis
How Apixaban interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Apixaban interactionArgatrobanArgatroban
How Argatroban interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Argatroban interactionAspirinAngettes 75, ASA, Asaphen, Aspirin, Caprin, Cartia +8 more
How Aspirin interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Aspirin interactionAspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin Codeine #3
How Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interactionAspirin, ButalbitalAxotal
How Aspirin, Butalbital interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Aspirin, Butalbital interactionAspirin, Butalbital, CaffeineFiorinal
How Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine interactionAspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine PhosphateFiorinal w/ Codeine
How Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine Phosphate interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine Phosphate interactionAspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, PhenacetinMarnal
How Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Phenacetin interacts with Digestive Enzymes — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
BromelainAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Bromelain + Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Phenacetin interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Digestive Enzymes 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.
Bacillus subtilis
Antibiotic Drugs
Theoretically, taking Bacillus subtilis with antibiotic drugs might decrease the effectiveness of B. subtilis.
Since B. subtilis preparations usually contain live and active organisms, simultaneously taking antibiotics might kill a significant number of the organisms. Tell patients to separate administration of antibiotics and B. subtilis preparations by at least 2 hours.
Bromelain
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.
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.
Papain
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.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Digestive Enzymes, from the product label.
Doctor's Best
See all Doctor's Best products- Name
- Doctor's Best, Inc.
- State
- California
- ZipCode
- 92612
- Phone Number
- (800) 777-2474
- Web Address
- www.drbvitamins.com
Digestive Enzymes by Doctor's Best: Common Questions
Does Digestive Enzymes by Doctor's Best interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Will this help my digestive issues?
Is it safe if I'm pregnant?
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
What's papain, and why is it in there?
What does Bacillus subtilis do?
Does this product have any fillers or additives?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Digestive Enzymes is safe with your meds?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
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.
The Full Monographs Behind Digestive Enzymes’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Papain
Interacts with 2 drugsPapain 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 → Herb & supplement monographBromelain
Interacts with 141 drugsBromelain is a group of protein-digesting enzymes from pineapple that people take mainly for inflammation, swelling, and sinus problems. Some early studies are promising, but the overall evi...
Read the full Bromelain monograph → Herb & supplement monographProteolytic 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 monographLipase
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 monographLactase
Lactase is a digestive enzyme supplement that helps people who lack enough natural lactase break down lactose, the sugar in milk and dairy. It can reduce gas, bloating, cramping, and diarrhe...
Read the full Lactase monograph → Herb & supplement monographPhytase
Phytase is an enzyme that breaks down phytic acid (phytate) found in grains, beans, nuts, and seeds, which can free up minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium for absorption. It is widely used...
Read the full Phytase monograph → Herb & supplement monographBacillus Subtilis
Interacts with 182 drugsBacillus subtilis is a spore-forming probiotic bacterium found in soil and some fermented foods, and it is used mainly to support gut health and digestion. Early research is promising for ce...
Read the full Bacillus Subtilis monograph →Sources & How We Checked
Digestive Enzymes'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.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
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 52 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.
Papain 11 references
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Walker-Renard, P. Update on the medicinal management of phytobezoars. Am J Gastroenterol. 1993;88(10):1663-1666.
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Bromelain 19 references
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Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) 3 references
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See these in context on the Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) monograph →
Lipase 1 reference
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Lactase 1 reference
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Phytase 7 references
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Bacillus Subtilis 10 references
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