HCl and Pepsin Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Carlson
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking HCl and Pepsin 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
HCl and Pepsin is a dietary supplement by Carlson with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestion and bloating, muscle soreness and exercise recovery, inflammation and swelling.We don’t currently list a known drug interaction for its mapped ingredients — but that doesn’t guarantee none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist.
HelloPharmacist Scorecard of HCl and Pepsin by Carlson
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
Full disclosure
This product has two active ingredients: pepsin, a proteolytic enzyme (a protein-digesting enzyme) that mirrors what your stomach naturally produces, and hydrochloric acid (HCl), which mirrors your stomach's natural acid environment. Together they're meant to support your stomach's natural digestive work.
The tablet also contains several inactive ingredients — microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, pharmaceutical glaze, and ethylcellulose — which are fillers, binders, and coating materials.
Does it work?
Couldn't assess
We hold no effectiveness data for this product in our records, so we cannot tell you whether the evidence supports its use for any particular condition.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Pepsin is generally well tolerated by most adults, though some people report digestive upset or allergic reactions. Because pepsin is a protease, people with known protease sensitivities (for example, from occupational exposure) should be cautious — in rare cases, airborne exposure to pepsin has triggered allergic symptoms like rhinoconjunctivitis or asthma.
During pregnancy, safety hasn't been established, so it's best avoided unless your doctor prescribes it. During breastfeeding, there's very little safety data, so medical advice is needed before use.
We have no interaction data for hydrochloric acid on file.
Meds to double-check
No known interactions
No interactions are documented in our data for the ingredients we could check. However, we hold no interaction data for hydrochloric acid, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, particularly if you take medications that are sensitive to changes in stomach acidity or timing of absorption.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.
This product might appeal to someone whose doctor suggests supplementing stomach acid or digestive enzymes, though the evidence supporting it isn't in our data. If you have a history of allergies to proteases, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist first.
It's also worth checking your exact medications with them, especially since we can't verify hydrochloric acid's effect on drug absorption or timing.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 1 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Dec 23, 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
General information
Key facts about HCl and Pepsin, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Carlson |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 088395066016 |
| Net contents | 100 Tablet(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Dec 23, 2015 |
| DSLD ID | 54731 |
| 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, Sugar 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 HCl and Pepsin by Carlson, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Pepsin | 150 mg | -- |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 120 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Croscarmellose Sodium, Pharmaceutical Glaze, Ethylcellulose
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
Digestive Support Formula
POTENCY & QUALITY GUARANTEED
An F.D.A. Regulated Facility
This formula is prepared to disintegrate over a period of up to 1 hour.
FDA Statement of Identity
DIETARY SUPPLEMENT
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Directions: Take one tablet one to three times daily, at mealtime.
Storage
Keep bottle tightly closed. Store away from heat and moisture.
Formulation
Gluten-free Sugar-free Preservative-free
Formula
Carlson HCl and Pepsin tablets supplement normal stomach secretions of hydrochloric acid and pepsin to optimize digestive efficiency and assist with the digestion of protein.*
Each tablet contains 540 mg of Betaine hydrochloride providing 120 mg of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and approximately 380 mg of Betaine (trimethylglycine) per tablet.
Precautions
Caution: Do not take in case of stomach or duodenal ulcer.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
*This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
General
6601-2b
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
HCl and Pepsin by Carlson 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 HCl and Pepsin by Carlson
These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill 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.
Pepsin
No knowninteractions
Proteolytic enzymes are proteins that help break down other proteins, and common examples include bromelain (from pineapple), papain (from papaya), tr...
Pepsin monograph & interactionsHydrochloric Acid
Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Croscarmellose Sodium, Pharmaceutical Glaze, Ethylcellulose. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
HCl and Pepsin by Carlson Drug Interactions
We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in HCl and Pepsin. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining a supplement with your medications.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for HCl and Pepsin, from the product label.
Carlson
See all Carlson products- Name
- Carlson Division of J.R. Carlson Laboratories, Inc.
- City
- Arlington Hts.
- State
- IL
- ZipCode
- 60004
- Phone Number
- 888-234-5656
- Web Address
- www.carlsonlabs.com
HCl and Pepsin by Carlson: Common Questions
Does HCl and Pepsin by Carlson interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Can I take this while I'm pregnant?
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking this product?
Can I use this if I have a protease allergy?
What is pepsin, and what does it do?
Are there any fillers in this tablet?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if HCl and Pepsin 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 HCl and Pepsin’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Sources & How We Checked
HCl and Pepsin'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 3 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.
Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) 3 references
- 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
- Marquès LI, Lara S, Abós T, Bartolomé B. Occupational rhinitis due to pepsin. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2006;16(2):136-7. DOI
- 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 →
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