Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 3 of 7 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by American Health

Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes label
See full label image
Tablet Or Pill Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Gestazyme 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

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes is a dietary supplement by American Health with 7 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, 38 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Betain Hydrochloride, Papain. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes by American Health

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes by American Health — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes by American Health

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

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 30, 2026

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 7 of its 7 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Gestazyme contains seven active ingredients, all digestive enzymes or support compounds. Papain (from papaya) and pepsin both break down proteins.

Amylase breaks down carbohydrates. Pancreatin extract and ox bile extract help fat and protein digestion.

Betaine hydrochloride increases stomach acid to aid the digestive process. Duodenal substance is also included to support digestion.

The tablet also contains several inactive ingredients — fillers and binders like dicalcium phosphate, cellulose, stearic acid, and silica — to hold it together.

Does it work?

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

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

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: digestive aid for protein, fat, starch.
  • We looked for evidence on: Dyspepsia, Exercise-induced muscle soreness, Indigestion, Bloating.
  • The closest evidence on file: Papain is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Exercise-induced muscle soreness (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Betaine Hydrochloride is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Dyspepsia.

The evidence we hold doesn't establish that papain works for cancer, dental cavities, radiation skin damage, muscle soreness, shingles, or intestinal parasites — the data is simply insufficient to rate it either way. The same goes for betaine hydrochloride: we have no reliable evidence it helps dyspepsia (indigestion), low thyroid, diarrhea, rheumatoid arthritis, food allergies, or hay fever.

For the other active ingredients in this formula, effectiveness ratings aren't available in our data.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Papain Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) Betaine Hydrochloride

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

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

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

Papain is generally well tolerated as food, but supplements may irritate your digestive tract and trigger allergic reactions — itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, cramps, and diarrhea in sensitive people. Pepsin is generally well tolerated too, though it can cause digestive upset or allergies.

Betaine hydrochloride carries a caution: it may irritate your stomach and isn't safe if you have ulcers, gastritis, or true acid reflux — it could make heartburn worse. In pregnancy, papain is rated possibly unsafe, so concentrated papain and unripe papaya products should be avoided.

Betaine hydrochloride is best avoided in pregnancy due to insufficient safety data. For both, breastfeeding data is too limited — safety hasn't been established for pepsin either during breastfeeding.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you're pregnant or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Papain Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) Betaine Hydrochloride

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 3 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Papain, Betaine Hydrochloride.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 38 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 Gestazyme if you use warfarin (or any blood thinner) — papain may increase its effect and your bleeding risk. Also double-check if you take H2-blockers, antacids, or proton pump inhibitors for stomach acid; betaine hydrochloride may reduce how well they work.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Gestazyme is a multienzyme digestive aid, but it's not right for everyone. Skip it if you take warfarin, or use acid-reducing medications like PPIs or H2-blockers — this product may interfere with them.

It's also not safe if you have ulcers or severe reflux. If you're pregnant, nursing, or take any regular medications, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

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

Assessment coverage: 3 of 7 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jan 25, 2012.

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 Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes, straight from the product label.

Brand American Health
Barcode (UPC) 076630008815
Net contents 100 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 25, 2012
DSLD ID 4370
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes by American Health, 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 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Tablet(s)
Servings per container
50
UPC/BARCODE
076630008815
IngredientAmount% DV
Amylase260 mg--
Papain130 mg--
Pepsin130 mg--
Ox Bile extract130 mg--
Betain Hydrochloride130 mg--
Duodenal Substance60 mg--
Pancreatin Extract 4:1150 mg--

Other ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Vegetable Cellulose, Croscarmellose, Stearic Acid, Silica, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Vegetable Cellulose Coating

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.
FDA Statement of Identity

dietary supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

DIRECTIONS: For occasional use as a digestive aid, adults, take two (2) tablets with meals. Swallow whole. Do not crush or chew.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

WARNING: If you are pregnant, nursing or taking any medications, consult your doctor before use.

Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

Tamper Resistant: Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.

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.

Storage

Store in a dry place and avoid excessive heat.

General Statements

digestive aid for protein, fat, starch**

Gestazyme tablets are specially constructed to release pepsin, papain, amylase and betaine hydrochloride in the digestive system where these factors are most active. The betaine hydrochloride provides hydrochloric acid supplementation to ordinary gastric secretions. Pancreatin (for protein, fats and starches) and ox bile extract (for fat digestion) support digestion in the small intestine.**

General

PROD. NO. 881 B6400 11B

Brand IP Statement(s)

© 2011 American Health, Inc.

Formulation

No Gluten, No Yeast, No Wheat, No Milk or Milk Derivatives, No Lactose, No Soy, No Egg, No Grapefruit, No Sugar, No Preservatives, No Artificial Color, No Artificial Flavor.

Seals/Symbols

LABORATORY TESTED GUARANTEED QUALITY

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

See for yourself

Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes by American Health label

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

Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes label

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

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes by American Health

These are the 7 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Servings per container50 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.

Amylase

260 mg per serving

Papain

Interacts with
2 drugs
130 mg per serving

Papain is a protein-digesting enzyme from the papaya plant that is used in digestive supplements and some topical products. While it has clear food an...

Papain monograph & interactions

Pepsin

No known
interactions
130 mg per serving

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

Pepsin monograph & interactions

Ox Bile extract

130 mg per serving

Betain Hydrochloride

Interacts with
36 drugs
130 mg per serving

Betaine hydrochloride is a supplement used to temporarily increase stomach acid in people who may have low acid levels. Evidence for its benefits is l...

Betain Hydrochloride monograph & interactions

Duodenal Substance

60 mg per serving

Pancreatin Extract 4:1

150 mg per serving

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

Interaction report

Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes by American Health Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Gestazyme 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 checker
38Drugs
2 Moderate 36 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Betain Hydrochloride 36
Papain 2

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes interact with 38 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

2 of the 7 ingredients in Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Betain Hydrochloride Papain

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Gestazyme 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.

Betain Hydrochloride3 drug types · 36 drugs

Antacids

Betaine hydrochloride increases stomach acidity and could decrease the effects of antacids.
In human research, betaine hydrochloride increases stomach acidity. Antacids are taken to decrease stomach acidity. Theoretically, taking betaine hydrochloride along with antacids might decrease the effects of the antacids.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
H2-Blockers

Betaine hydrochloride increases stomach acidity and could decrease the effects of H2-blockers.
In human research, betaine hydrochloride increases stomach acidity. H2-blockers are used to decrease stomach acidity. Theoretically, taking betaine hydrochloride along with H2-blockers might decrease the effects of H2-blockers.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Proton Pump Inhibitors (Ppis)

Betaine hydrochloride increases stomach acidity and could decrease the effects of PPIs.
In human research, betaine hydrochloride increases stomach acidity. PPIs are used to decrease stomach acidity. Theoretically, taking betaine hydrochloride along with PPIs might decrease the effects of PPIs

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Betain Hydrochloride full monograph & interactions

Papain1 drug type · 2 drugs

Warfarin (Coumadin)

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

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Papain full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes, from the product label.

American Health

See all American Health products
Name
American Health, Inc.
City
Ronkonkoma
State
NY
ZipCode
11779
Phone Number
800-445-7137
Web Address
www.AmericanHealthUS.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes by American Health: Common Questions

Does Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes by American Health interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes has a known interaction with 38 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes contains 7 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 Gestazyme if I'm on warfarin?
Not without checking first. Papain in this product may increase warfarin's effects, raising your bleeding risk — one case report showed dangerous blood-thinner levels after papain use. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.
Will this help my indigestion or digestion problems?
The evidence we hold doesn't establish that betaine hydrochloride or papain reliably work for indigestion or other digestive complaints — we simply don't have strong data either way. If you have persistent digestive issues, your doctor or pharmacist can help figure out what might actually help.
Is it safe if I take a PPI or H2-blocker for acid reflux?
No — betaine hydrochloride in this product increases stomach acid, which directly opposes what those medications do. Taking them together may reduce the medication's effectiveness. Check with your pharmacist or doctor first.
Can I take this if I have an ulcer or gastritis?
No. Betaine hydrochloride irritates the stomach and could make ulcers or gastritis worse. Avoid it and talk with your doctor about what's actually safe for your condition.
Is this safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Papain is rated possibly unsafe in pregnancy and should be avoided. Betaine hydrochloride also lacks enough safety data in pregnancy, so it's best avoided. For breastfeeding, there's too little data on either ingredient. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using Gestazyme.
What are the side effects?
Papain and pepsin may cause allergic reactions — itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, cramps, and diarrhea — in sensitive people. Betaine hydrochloride may cause heartburn or stomach irritation. Serious effects are rare but can include severe stomach inflammation or perforation with very high doses.

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

Not sure if Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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.

Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Gestazyme Digestive Enzymes’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Papain

Interacts with 2 drugs

Papain is a protein-digesting enzyme from the papaya plant that is used in digestive supplements and some topical products. While it has clear food and laboratory uses, strong human evidence...

Read the full Papain monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases)

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

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

Betaine Hydrochloride

Interacts with 36 drugs

Betaine hydrochloride is a supplement used to temporarily increase stomach acid in people who may have low acid levels. Evidence for its benefits is limited and mostly based on tradition rat...

Read the full Betaine Hydrochloride monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Gestazyme 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.

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 16 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
  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 →

Betaine Hydrochloride 2 references
  1. Yago MR, Frymoyer A, Benet LZ, Smelick GS, Frassetto LA, Ding X, Dean B, Salphati L, Budha N, Jin JY, Dresser MJ, Ware JA. The use of betaine HCl to enhance dasatinib absorption in healthy volunteers with rabeprazole-induced hypochlorhydria. AAPS J. 2014 PubMed
  2. Yago MR, Frymoyer AR, Smelick GS, Frassetto LA, Budha NR, Dresser MJ, Ware JA, Benet LZ. Gastric reacidification with betaine HCl in healthy volunteers with rabeprazole-induced hypochlorhydria. Mol Pharm. 2013 Nov 4;10(11):4032-7. PubMed

See these in context on the Betaine Hydrochloride 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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