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Dietary supplement

Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson Premium Brand

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 mg is a dietary supplement by Swanson Premium Brand with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestive upset and indigestion, constipation, wound and skin care (topical).Based on those ingredients, 92 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Papaya. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 mg by Swanson Premium Brand

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: 400 mg of papaya in a full-spectrum form, meaning it captures the whole plant rather than a single isolated compound. Papaya is a tropical fruit that contains enzymes and other compounds traditionally used in herbal practice.

The capsule also holds inactive ingredients — gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silica — which are standard binders, fillers, and capsule materials with no active role.

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

This is a single-ingredient Papaya product and its label doesn't state a use — see Papaya's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence we hold shows insufficient reliable data to rate papaya leaf for aging skin, male pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia), colorectal cancer, or diabetes. That means the studies either don't exist yet, are too small or low-quality to draw firm conclusions, or findings are mixed.

This doesn't prove it doesn't work — it just means the science isn't established enough for us to recommend it based on strong evidence.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Papaya

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.

Papaya fruit eaten as food in normal amounts is generally well tolerated. Papaya leaf extract also seems to be generally well tolerated overall, though nausea and vomiting have been reported in clinical research with the leaf extract.

Allergic reactions are possible, especially in people sensitive to latex (the two can cross-react), and raw papain — the enzyme in unripe papaya — may trigger allergic symptoms like itchy eyes, sneezing, abdominal cramps, or diarrhea in sensitive individuals. One rare case of esophageal perforation was reported with papain use.

Unripe (green) papaya, papaya latex, and seeds should be avoided. The safety data for papaya supplements at supplement doses is limited, so eating moderate amounts of ripe fruit is likely safer than taking concentrated supplements.

Ripe fruit appears likely safe in pregnancy, but unripe papaya is possibly unsafe in pregnancy, and some sources caution against large amounts during pregnancy — talk this over with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant or planning to be.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Papaya

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 — Papaya.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 92 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 if you use antidiabetes medications (blood-sugar-lowering drugs), amiodarone (a heart rhythm drug), warfarin (a blood thinner), or levothyroxine (a thyroid replacement). These are all moderate-severity interactions.

Use the medication search tool on this page to verify your exact medications.

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.

If you take antidiabetes drugs, amiodarone, warfarin, or levothyroxine, you'll want to check with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product — papaya can interact with each of them. Even if you're not on those medications, run your exact drug list through the checker on this page.

Papaya leaf extract is generally well tolerated, but the evidence for its effectiveness for the conditions listed hasn't been established yet.

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 Apr 25, 2018.

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 Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson Premium Brand
Barcode (UPC) 087614114965
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 25, 2018
DSLD ID 175257
Product type 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 Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 mg by Swanson Premium Brand, 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:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
087614114965
IngredientAmount% DV
Papaya400 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium 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.
General Statements

Bringing wellness to the world since 1969

To reorder, call toll free 1-800-437-4148 or visit our website at www.swansonvitamins.com

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Guaranteed purity & potency

Precautions

Do not use if seal is broken.

Keep out of reach of children.

Warning: Do not take this product if you are pregnant or nursing.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule per day with food and water.

General

SW1496 Rev 0 10 13 17

See for yourself

Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 mg by Swanson Premium Brand label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 mg by Swanson Premium Brand

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Papaya

Interacts with
92 drugs
400 mg per serving

Papaya is a tropical fruit that is nutritious and generally safe to eat as food, and it contains an enzyme called papain used as a digestive aid and m...

Papaya monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 mg by Swanson Premium Brand Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 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
92Drugs
92 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Papaya 92

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 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.

Papaya4 drug types · 92 drugs

Amiodarone (Cordarone)

Theoretically, papaya extract may increase the levels and clinical effects of amiodarone.
Animal research in rats shows that a single oral dose of papaya extract, as well as multiple doses of papaya extract daily over 14 days, prior to a single dose of amiodarone delays the time to maximum amiodarone concentration. However, only the 14-day papaya extract regimen increases systemic amiodarone exposure by 60% to 70%. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Concomitant use of antidiabetic drugs with fermented papaya can produce additive effects. It is unclear if other forms of papaya have the same effect.
A small low-quality clinical study in patients with type 2 diabetes who are taking glibenclamide shows that taking a fermented papaya preparation 3 grams daily for 2 months decreases fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels when compared to baseline. Additionally, of the 25 patients in the study, 9 required a reduction in glibenclamide dose.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Others)

Theoretically, consuming large quantities of papaya fruit can reduce the clinical effects of levothyroxine.
In one case-report, a 37-year-old male with a history of thyroidectomy who was stabilized on levothyroxine for 5 years presented with hypothyroidism after consuming 5-6 papaya fruits daily for 14 days during vacation. In a controlled re-challenge test involving 5-6 papayas daily, the patient remained euthyroid for 7 days, but developed mild hypothyroidism after 14 days. Both times, thyroid levels normalized 40-45 days after discontinuing papaya.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, concomitant use of warfarin with papain-containing papaya extract 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 Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 mg, from the product label.

Swanson Premium Brand

See all Swanson Premium Brand products
Name
Swanson Health Products
City
Fargo
State
ND
ZipCode
58104
Phone Number
1-800-437-4148
Web Address
www.swansonvitamins.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 mg by Swanson Premium Brand: Common Questions

Does Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 mg by Swanson Premium Brand interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 mg has a known interaction with 92 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 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?
Ripe papaya fruit appears likely safe in pregnancy, but unripe papaya is possibly unsafe, and some sources caution against large amounts even of ripe papaya during pregnancy. The data for this supplement form specifically isn't established. Talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist to decide what's right for you.
What are the most common side effects?
Nausea and vomiting have been reported with papaya leaf extract in clinical research. Allergic reactions are possible, especially in people who are sensitive to latex. If you notice an allergic reaction — itchy eyes, sneezing, abdominal cramps, or difficulty breathing — stop taking it and seek help.
Is this supplement proven to work?
The evidence we hold shows insufficient reliable data for papaya leaf in aging skin, hair loss, colorectal cancer, or diabetes. This doesn't mean it doesn't work — it means the science hasn't established it firmly enough yet.
Why are unripe papaya and papaya seeds on the caution list?
Unripe papaya and papaya seeds haven't been studied as thoroughly as ripe fruit, and unripe papaya is considered possibly unsafe in pregnancy. This product uses papaya leaf and full-spectrum fruit, but it's good to know the overall caution profile of the plant.
Can I take this with my diabetes medication?
That's a question for your doctor or pharmacist. Fermented papaya can add to the blood-sugar-lowering effects of antidiabetes drugs, which could lower your blood sugar too much. It's unclear if this form interacts the same way, but you'll want to check before starting.

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.

Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 mg’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Full Spectrum Papaya Leaf 400 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 14 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.

Papaya 14 references
  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  2. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  3. 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.
  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. Blanco C, Diaz-Perales A, Collada C, et al. Class I chitinases as potential panallergens involved in the latex-fruit syndrome. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;103(3 Pt 1):507-13. PubMed
  6. Diaz-Perales A, Collada C, Blanco C, et al. Cross-reactions in the latex-fruit syndrome: A relevant role of chitinases but not of complex asparagine-linked glycans. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;104:681-7. PubMed
  7. Castillo, R., Delgado, J., Quiralte, J., Blanco, C., and Carrillo, T. Food hypersensitivity among adult patients: epidemiological and clinical aspects. Allergol.Immunopathol.(Madr.) 1996;24(3):93-97.
  8. Oderinde, O., Noronha, C., Oremosu, A., Kusemiju, T., and Okanlawon, O. A. Abortifacient properties of aqueous extract of Carica papaya (Linn) seeds on female Sprague-Dawley rats. Niger.Postgrad.Med J 2002;9(2):95-98. DOI
  9. Danese, C., Esposito, D., D'Alfonso, V., Cirene, M., Ambrosino, M., and Colotto, M. Plasma glucose level decreases as collateral effect of fermented papaya preparation use. Clin Ter. 2006;157(3):195-198.
  10. Iliev, D. and Elsner, P. Generalized drug reaction due to papaya juice in throat lozenges. Dermatology 1997;194(4):364-366. PubMed
  11. Andersen HA, Bernatz PE, Grindlay JH. Perforation of the esophagus after use of a digestant agent: report of case and experimental study. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1959;68:890-6. PubMed
  12. Deiana L, Marini S, Mariotti S. Ingestion of large amounts of papaya fruit and impaired effectiveness of levothyroxine therapy. Endocr Pract 2012;18(1):98-100. PubMed
  13. Rodrigues M, Alves G, Francisco J, Fortuna A, Falcão A. Herb-drug pharmacokinetic interaction between Carica papaya extract and amiodarone in rats. J Pharm Pharm Sci 2014;17(3):302-15. PubMed
  14. Rajapakse S, de Silva NL, Weeratunga P, Rodrigo C, Sigera C, Fernando SD. Carica papaya extract in dengue: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019;19(1):265. PubMed

See these in context on the Papaya 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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