Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 2 of 5 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

HCL Complex Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Life Time Fitness

HCL Complex label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Minor
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking HCL Complex 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: Minor

HCL Complex is a dietary supplement by Life Time Fitness with 5 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria), bloating and gas, indigestion.Based on those ingredients, 36 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated minor. The ingredients most likely to interact are Betaine Hydrochloride. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against HCL Complex by Life Time Fitness

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with HCL Complex by Life Time Fitness — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of HCL Complex by Life Time Fitness

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 Aug 6, 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 5 of its 5 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

HCL Complex contains 5 active ingredients designed to support stomach acid and digestive function. Betaine hydrochloride is an acidifying compound that raises stomach acid levels.

L-glutamic acid hydrochloride, pancreatin (an enzyme preparation from the pancreas), and ox bile concentrate are meant to aid protein, fat, and overall nutrient breakdown. Pepsin is a protein-digesting enzyme your stomach naturally produces.

The capsule shell is made of hypromellose (a plant-based cellulose derivative). The product also contains leucine and silicon dioxide as inactive ingredients.

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 enzyme support for occasional indigestion.
  • We looked for evidence on: Dyspepsia, low stomach acid, bloating.
  • The closest evidence on file: Betaine Hydrochloride is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Dyspepsia (Natural Medicines).

The evidence supporting betaine hydrochloride for indigestion (dyspepsia), low thyroid function (hypothyroidism), diarrhea, rheumatoid arthritis, food allergies, and hay fever is currently insufficient in our data—we cannot say whether it works for these uses. No effectiveness ratings are on file for pepsin, L-glutamic acid hydrochloride, pancreatin, or ox bile concentrate in this product.

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

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 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Betaine hydrochloride carries real cautions: it may irritate your stomach and is not safe if you have ulcers, gastritis, or true acid reflux disease because it can worsen these conditions or delay healing. The product is best avoided in pregnancy—there isn't enough safety data to know whether it's safe for a developing baby.

It should also be avoided during breastfeeding. Pepsin is generally well tolerated but may cause digestive upset or, rarely, allergic reactions—occupational exposure to airborne pepsin has triggered allergic rhinitis and asthma in some people.

Safety data during pregnancy and breastfeeding is limited; if you're pregnant or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

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

Meds to double-check

Minor interactions only
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Minor only

Only Minor-severity interactions are documented for these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Betaine Hydrochloride.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Minor.
  • For scale: 36 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.

Before taking HCL Complex, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on H2-blockers (acid-reducing drugs like famotidine), antacids, or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs like omeprazole). Betaine hydrochloride in this product can blunt their effects.

Also avoid this product if you have stomach ulcers, gastritis, or acid reflux disease.

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. Only minor medication interactions are documented, and safety information is well characterized.

HCL Complex is intended to support stomach acid and digestion, but its effectiveness for any specific condition is not established in our data. The main concern is that betaine hydrochloride can reduce the effects of acid-reducing medications like H2-blockers, antacids, and PPIs.

If you take any of those drugs, or if you have ulcers or acid reflux, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this product. Avoid it in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 5 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 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 HCL Complex, straight from the product label.

Brand Life Time Fitness
Barcode (UPC) 682471008220
Net contents 180 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 25, 2015
DSLD ID 46497
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
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 HCL Complex by Life Time Fitness, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
90
UPC/BARCODE
682471008220
IngredientAmount% DV
Betaine Hydrochloride480 mg--
L-Glutamic Acid Hydrochloride480 mg--
Pancreatin140 mg--
Ox Bile concentrate80 mg--
Pepsin70 mg--

Other ingredients: Hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, Leucine, 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 Statements

HCL Complex may also benefit individuals with occasional indigestion.

a comprehensive digestive enzyme

FOUNDATION

aids in healthy digestion of proteins, carbs and fats

Life Time Fitness HCL Complex is a comprehensive blend digestive enzymes that help your body properly break down and utilize proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in an efficient manner.

This product is not diluted with lactose.

NPPA143650

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended Use: Take 1 to 2 capsules with each meal or as recommended by your health-care professional.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This statement is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

General

LTFL2757 LLTFL275701

Seals/Symbols

QUALITY GMP GUARANTEED

THORNE RESEARCH Pure Ingredients, Trusted Results

FDA Statement of Identity

dietary supplement

Formula

Betaine Hydrochloride derived from a non-plant source.

Precautions

Individuals with porcine allergies should not take this product.

ALLERGY WARNINGS: This product is contraindicated in an individual with a history of hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients.

PREGNANCY: If pregnant, consult your health-care practitioner before using this product.

INTERACTIONS: HCL Enzyme Complex should not be used concurrent with H2-blocking drugs and proton pump inhibitors because these drugs are intended to block the production of stomach HCl.

ADDITIONAL WARNINGS: HCL Enzyme Complex should be used with caution in an individual with a history of a peptic or duodenal ulcer. It is not recommended to remove the HCL Enzyme Complex powder from the capsule to be taken orally, as it can be irritating to the oral mucosa.

TAMPER EVIDENT: Use only if bottle is sealed.

Storage

Store tightly sealed in a cool, dry place.

Brand IP Statement(s)

(C)2015 LIFE TIME FITNESS, INC. All rights reserved.

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

See for yourself

HCL Complex by Life Time Fitness label

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

HCL Complex 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 HCL Complex by Life Time Fitness

These are the 5 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container90 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.

Betaine Hydrochloride

Interacts with
36 drugs
480 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...

Betaine Hydrochloride monograph & interactions

L-Glutamic Acid Hydrochloride

480 mg per serving

Pancreatin

140 mg per serving Form: Porcine

Ox Bile concentrate

80 mg per serving

Pepsin

No known
interactions
70 mg per serving Form: Porcine

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

Pepsin monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, Leucine, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

HCL Complex by Life Time Fitness Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against HCL 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
36Drugs
36 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Betaine Hydrochloride 36

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in HCL Complex interact with 36 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 5 ingredients in HCL Complex interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Betaine Hydrochloride

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in HCL Complex 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.

Betaine 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
Betaine Hydrochloride full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Life Time Fitness

See all Life Time Fitness products
Name
Life Time Fitness, Inc.
Street Address
2902 Corporate Place
City
Chanhassen
State
MN
ZipCode
55317
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

HCL Complex by Life Time Fitness: Common Questions

Does HCL Complex by Life Time Fitness interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, HCL Complex has a known interaction with 36 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
HCL Complex contains 5 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 omeprazole or another PPI?
No—betaine hydrochloride increases stomach acid and can reduce how well PPIs work. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before combining them; you may need to choose one or the other.
Is this safe during pregnancy?
No. There isn't enough safety data, so it's best avoided in pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Can I use this while breastfeeding?
Betaine hydrochloride should be avoided during breastfeeding because safety hasn't been established. For pepsin, there's limited safety data, so medical advice is recommended. Check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does this product have any fillers?
The capsule is made from hypromellose, a plant-based cellulose. The product also contains leucine and silicon dioxide as inactive ingredients.
What does pepsin do in this product?
Pepsin is a protein-digesting enzyme naturally found in your stomach; it's included here to help break down proteins as part of the digestive support formula.
I have acid reflux—is this safe for me?
No. Betaine hydrochloride increases stomach acid and can worsen acid reflux or delay healing of damage from reflux. Avoid this product and talk with your doctor about alternatives.

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

Not sure if HCL Complex is safe with your meds?

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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.

HCL Complex label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind HCL Complex’s Ingredients

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

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 → 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 →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

HCL 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 5 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.

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 →

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 →

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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