Papaya Complete Ingredients & Drug Interactions
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Papaya Complete 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
Papaya Complete is a dietary supplement by GNC Natural Brand with 3 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, 231 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bromelain, Papaya fruit powder, Papain. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Papaya Complete by GNC Natural Brand
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Papaya Complete by GNC Natural Brand — 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 Papaya Complete by GNC Natural 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.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
Papaya Complete contains three active ingredients: papain, bromelain, and papaya fruit powder. Papain is a protein-digesting enzyme from papaya latex.
Bromelain is a similar enzyme from pineapple that breaks down proteins. Papaya fruit powder is the ground, dried fruit itself.
The tablet also contains several inactive ingredients — sorbitol, natural flavors, citric acid, riboflavin, and carmine color — which serve as sweetener, flavoring, and color.
Does it work?
Couldn't assess
The evidence we have doesn't establish that any of these ingredients work reliably for their commonly claimed uses. Papain lacks sufficient reliable evidence for cancer, dental cavities, radiation skin damage, muscle soreness, shingles, or parasitic infection.
Bromelain similarly shows insufficient evidence for hay fever, burns, cancer, nerve pain from chemotherapy, poor circulation, or diabetes. Papaya fruit powder also lacks solid evidence for aging skin, hair loss, colorectal cancer, or diabetes.
If you're considering this product for a specific health goal, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether the evidence supports it.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Short-term use of these ingredients appears generally well tolerated at normal doses. The most common side effects are mild: papain and bromelain may cause digestive upset (nausea, diarrhea, gas, abdominal discomfort), and allergic reactions (itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, rash) can occur in sensitive people.
Rare serious effects with high doses include severe stomach inflammation or even esophageal perforation. Papain and bromelain are not recommended in pregnancy due to safety concerns.
Bromelain should also be avoided while breastfeeding; papain lacks enough safety data to recommend it during breastfeeding. Ripe papaya fruit eaten as food is considered likely safe in pregnancy, but concentrated supplements and unripe papaya are not.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before taking Papaya Complete, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take warfarin or other blood thinners (anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs) — the product may increase bleeding risk. Also flag it if you take antidiabetes drugs, amiodarone, levothyroxine, or tetracycline antibiotics, since the ingredients may alter how these work.
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.
This product combines three protein-digesting enzymes with no proven effectiveness for common uses and several moderate drug interactions — chiefly with blood thinners, heart or thyroid medications, and diabetes drugs. If you take any prescription medication, especially warfarin or other anticoagulants, check your specific drugs with the tool on this page before starting.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to decide whether it's right for you and your health goals.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 3 of 3 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Nov 25, 2011.
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 Papaya Complete, straight from the product label.
| Brand | GNC Natural Brand |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 048107065423 |
| Net contents | 180 Chewable Tablet(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Nov 25, 2011 |
| DSLD ID | 2256 |
| Product type | Other Combinations |
| Supplement form | Tablet Or Pill |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years) |
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 Papaya Complete by GNC Natural Brand, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Papain | 400000 USP Unit(s) | -- |
| Bromelain | 20 GDU | -- |
| Papaya fruit powder | 50 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Sorbitol, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Riboflavin, Carmine color
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.
FDA Statement of Identity
* 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.
Dietary Supplement
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
DIRECTIONS: As a dietary supplement, chew one to three tablets up to three times daily.
Precautions
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
WARNING: Consult your physician prior to using this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Discontinue use two weeks prior to surgery.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
* This statement has 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 cool, dry place.
Formula
400,000 USP Units of Papain
General
CODE 094213 GGG
General Statements
Conforms to USP <2091> for weight.
Help release vital nutrients from food*
Lot No./ Best By
MADE IN THE USA
Papaya Enzymes:
Play an important role in digestion*
Size
Brand IP Statement(s)
Natural Brand(TM) Papaya Complete combines proteolytic enzymes from natural sources. Enzymes play an important role in digestion and help to release vital nutrients from food.* Each chewable tablet provides 400,000 USP units of papain and 20 GDU units of bromelain. USP and GDU units, rather than the weight (mg) of the ingredient, accurately measure enzyme activity.
Formulation
No Artificial Colors, No Wheat, No Gluten No Soy, Yeast Free
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Papaya Complete by GNC Natural Brand 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 Papaya Complete by GNC Natural Brand
These are the 3 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.
Papain
Interacts with2 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 an...
Papain monograph & interactionsBromelain
Interacts with141 drugs
Bromelain is a group of protein-digesting enzymes from pineapple that people take mainly for inflammation, swelling, and sinus problems. Some early st...
Bromelain monograph & interactionsPapaya fruit powder
Interacts with92 drugs
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 fruit powder monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Sorbitol, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Riboflavin, Carmine color. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Papaya Complete by GNC Natural Brand Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Papaya Complete by GNC Natural Brand contains three ingredients with documented interactions: papain, bromelain, and papaya fruit powder.
The most serious interaction is Moderate — papain and papaya fruit powder may both increase the effects of warfarin (a blood thinner), potentially raising bleeding risk; one case report found a patient's warfarin level dangerously elevated after taking a papain-containing supplement.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Bromelain carries a Moderate interaction with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs (blood thinners and aspirin-type medications) because it may have mild blood-thinning effects itself and could increase bleeding risk. Papaya fruit powder also interacts moderately with antidiabetes drugs, as fermented papaya may lower blood sugar additively, and with amiodarone (a heart rhythm medication), which the extract may slow in the body.
Additionally, large amounts of papaya may reduce how well levothyroxine (thyroid hormone) works.
Bromelain has a Minor interaction with tetracycline antibiotics — laboratory work suggests it might increase their absorption, though human evidence is mixed. Altogether, these interactions span 231 individual medications.
Check your exact medications against the tool on this page before starting. If you take warfarin, any blood thinner, antidiabetes drugs, amiodarone, levothyroxine, or tetracycline antibiotics, talk with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Papaya Complete?
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 Papaya Complete interact with 231 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
3 of the 3 ingredients in Papaya Complete interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Bromelain Papaya fruit powder Papain
AbciximabReoPro
How Abciximab interacts with Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 interactionAcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose
How Acarbose interacts with Papaya Complete — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Papaya Fruit PowderAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of antidiabetic drugs with fermented papaya can produce additive effects.
Read the full Papaya Fruit Powder + Acarbose interactionAcenocoumarolSintrom
How Acenocoumarol interacts with Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 interactionAcetohexamideDymelor
How Acetohexamide interacts with Papaya Complete — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Papaya Fruit PowderAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of antidiabetic drugs with fermented papaya can produce additive effects.
Read the full Papaya Fruit Powder + Acetohexamide interactionAcetylsalicylic AcidEntrophen
How Acetylsalicylic Acid interacts with Papaya Complete — 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 interactionAlbiglutideTanzeum
How Albiglutide interacts with Papaya Complete — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Papaya Fruit PowderAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of antidiabetic drugs with fermented papaya can produce additive effects.
Read the full Papaya Fruit Powder + Albiglutide interactionAlogliptinNesina
How Alogliptin interacts with Papaya Complete — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Papaya Fruit PowderAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of antidiabetic drugs with fermented papaya can produce additive effects.
Read the full Papaya Fruit Powder + Alogliptin interactionAlogliptin, MetforminKazano
How Alogliptin, Metformin interacts with Papaya Complete — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Papaya Fruit PowderAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of antidiabetic drugs with fermented papaya can produce additive effects.
Read the full Papaya Fruit Powder + Alogliptin, Metformin interactionAlogliptin, PioglitazoneOseni
How Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interacts with Papaya Complete — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Papaya Fruit PowderAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of antidiabetic drugs with fermented papaya can produce additive effects.
Read the full Papaya Fruit Powder + Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interactionAlteplase, TpaActilyse, Activase
How Alteplase, Tpa interacts with Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 interactionAmiodaroneCordarone, Pacerone
How Amiodarone interacts with Papaya Complete — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Papaya Fruit PowderAmiodarone (cordarone) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, papaya extract may increase the levels and clinical effects of amiodarone.
Read the full Papaya Fruit Powder + Amiodarone interactionAnacaulase-bcdbNexoBrid
How Anacaulase-bcdb interacts with Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 interactionAntidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) InhibitorGlyxambi
How Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interacts with Papaya Complete — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Papaya Fruit PowderAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of antidiabetic drugs with fermented papaya can produce additive effects.
Read the full Papaya Fruit Powder + Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interactionAntithrombin IiiThrombate III
How Antithrombin Iii interacts with Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete — 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 Papaya Complete 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.
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.
Papaya fruit powder
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Papaya Complete, from the product label.
Papaya Complete by GNC Natural Brand: Common Questions
Does Papaya Complete by GNC Natural Brand interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
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Does this product work for digestion or muscle soreness?
Will this interfere with my thyroid medication?
Is it safe to take while breastfeeding?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Papaya Complete 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 Papaya Complete’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 monographPapaya
Interacts with 92 drugsPapaya 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 meat tenderizer. Papaya leaf extract is b...
Read the full Papaya monograph →Sources & How We Checked
Papaya Complete'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 44 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.
- Tymoszuk D, Wiszniewska M, Walusiak-Skorupa J. Papain-induced occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma - A case report. Med Pr 2016;67(1):109-12. PubMed
- Soto-Mera MT, López-Rico MR, Filgueira JF, et al. Occupational allergy to papain. Allergy 2000;55(10):983-4. PubMed
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