Papaya Enzyme Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Natrol
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Papaya Enzyme 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 Enzyme is a dietary supplement by Natrol with 5 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, Papain. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Papaya Enzyme by Natrol
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Papaya Enzyme by Natrol
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
Natrol Papaya Enzyme contains 4 active ingredients. Papain is a protein-digesting enzyme from papaya that's used to support digestive function.
Bromelain is a similar enzyme from pineapple that also aids protein breakdown. Papaya fruit itself adds additional enzymatic activity and nutrients.
Alpha-Amylase is a starch-digesting enzyme. The product also contains several inactive ingredients (fillers and binders) including dextrose, maltodextrin, corn starch, silica, magnesium stearate, and natural flavors to support the tablet form.
Does it work?
Not established
The evidence for papain, bromelain, and papaya in the conditions they're typically used for — cancer, dental health, radiation skin damage, muscle soreness, shingles, and parasitic infection — is insufficient to establish whether they work. The data we hold does not establish reliable effectiveness for any of these ingredients in their marketed uses.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Papain and bromelain are generally well tolerated at normal short-term doses. The most common side effects from papain are allergic reactions in sensitive people, including watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, abdominal cramps, sweating, and diarrhea.
Bromelain commonly causes diarrhea, gas, stomach upset, and headache. Papaya fruit is well tolerated as food, though papaya leaf extract may cause nausea and vomiting.
High oral doses of papain are potentially unsafe and may cause severe stomach inflammation or esophageal perforation. For pregnancy, papain and concentrated papaya products are rated possibly unsafe — the safety data advises against them.
Bromelain and papaya are also best avoided in pregnancy due to insufficient safety data. For breastfeeding, bromelain and papaya should be avoided, while papain has insufficient data — talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you if you're pregnant or nursing.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before taking this product, confirm with your doctor or pharmacist that you don't take warfarin or other blood thinners (anticoagulants), since papain and papaya may increase their effects and bleeding risk. Also double-check if you're on antiplatelet drugs, diabetes medications (especially with fermented papaya), amiodarone, levothyroxine, or tetracycline antibiotics — all have documented interactions with ingredients in this product.
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.
Natrol Papaya Enzyme is generally well tolerated by people without blood clotting medications, diabetes drugs, amiodarone, or levothyroxine. If you take any prescription medication — especially blood thinners, antibiotics, diabetes medications, or heart or thyroid drugs — check your exact medications with the tool on this page before starting.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to confirm this product won't interfere with your current regimen.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 3 of 4 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jan 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
General information
Key facts about Papaya Enzyme, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Natrol |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 047469049201 |
| Net contents | 100 Chewable Tablet(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Jan 25, 2018 |
| DSLD ID | 77703 |
| Product type | Other Combinations |
| Supplement form | Tablet Or Pill |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Dairy 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 Papaya Enzyme by Natrol, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 10 Calorie(s) | -- |
| Total Carbohydrates | 2 Gram(s) | 1% |
| Sugar | 2 Gram(s) | -- |
| Papain | 40 mg | -- |
| Bromelain | 4 mg | -- |
| Papaya | 20 mg | -- |
| Alpha-Amylase | 2 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Dextrose, Maltodextrin, natural Papaya flavor, natural Peach flavor, natural Cherry flavor, Silicon Dioxide, Stearic Acid, Corn Starch, Sucrose, Magnesium Stearate, Turmeric, Triacetin, Soy Lecithin, Lecithin, Annatto, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Matabi Sulfate
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
Taking care of your digestive health just got easier - and tastier!
The delicious tropical flavor makes each chewable tablet a treat for your taste buds. This special blend of digestive enzymes helps with the digestion of proteins and carbohydrates in the body.
Helps maintain a healthy digestive tract
Brand IP Statement(s)
Natrol Papaya Enzyme is the perfect supplement to be taken after a meal to help maintain a healthy digestive tract.
Precautions
Consult your healthcare professional prior to use if you have or suspect a medical condition, are taking prescription drugs, or are pregnant or lactating.
People with allergies to soy or corn should consult their healthcare professional before taking this product.
Keep out of reach of children.
Contains soy
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place.
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.
General
ITEM: 4920 F: 3002110 L: 2006897-15083
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Directions: Chew 2 tablets after each meal.
Formula
Contains soy
Formulation
No milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, yeast, artificial colors or flavors, preservatives
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Papaya Enzyme by Natrol 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 Enzyme by Natrol
These are the 5 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.
Sugar
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
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 monograph & interactionsAlpha-Amylase
Other (inactive) ingredients: Dextrose, Maltodextrin, Natural Papaya flavor, Natural Peach flavor, Natural Cherry flavor, Silicon Dioxide, Stearic Acid, Corn Starch, Sucrose, Magnesium Stearate, Turmeric, Triacetin, Soy Lecithin, Lecithin, Annatto, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Matabi Sulfate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Papaya Enzyme by Natrol Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Natrol Papaya Enzyme contains papain, bromelain, and papaya — three ingredients with documented interactions affecting a substantial number of medications.
The most serious concern is a Moderate-severity interaction between papain and warfarin (a blood thinner), where papain may increase warfarin's effects and bleeding risk; one patient stable on warfarin developed dangerously elevated levels after taking a papain-containing supplement.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Bromelain raises Moderate concerns with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs (blood thinners and anti-clotting medications), as it may increase bleeding risk. It also has a Minor interaction with tetracycline antibiotics, though study evidence suggests the effect may be small.
Papaya itself carries Moderate interactions with diabetes medications (particularly fermented forms), amiodarone (a heart rhythm drug), warfarin, and levothyroxine (a thyroid medication) — each posing different risks from increased drug levels to reduced drug effectiveness.
Alpha-Amylase is an ingredient we could not check for interactions. Altogether, these interactions span 231 individual medications.
Use the medication checker below to search your specific prescriptions before starting this product.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Papaya Enzyme?
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 Enzyme interact with 231 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
3 of the 5 ingredients in Papaya Enzyme interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Bromelain Papaya Papain
AbciximabReoPro
How Abciximab interacts with Papaya Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PapayaAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of antidiabetic drugs with fermented papaya can produce additive effects.
Read the full Papaya + Acarbose interactionAcenocoumarolSintrom
How Acenocoumarol interacts with Papaya Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PapayaAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of antidiabetic drugs with fermented papaya can produce additive effects.
Read the full Papaya + Acetohexamide interactionAcetylsalicylic AcidEntrophen
How Acetylsalicylic Acid interacts with Papaya Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PapayaAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of antidiabetic drugs with fermented papaya can produce additive effects.
Read the full Papaya + Albiglutide interactionAlogliptinNesina
How Alogliptin interacts with Papaya Enzyme — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PapayaAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of antidiabetic drugs with fermented papaya can produce additive effects.
Read the full Papaya + Alogliptin interactionAlogliptin, MetforminKazano
How Alogliptin, Metformin interacts with Papaya Enzyme — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PapayaAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of antidiabetic drugs with fermented papaya can produce additive effects.
Read the full Papaya + Alogliptin, Metformin interactionAlogliptin, PioglitazoneOseni
How Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interacts with Papaya Enzyme — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PapayaAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of antidiabetic drugs with fermented papaya can produce additive effects.
Read the full Papaya + Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interactionAlteplase, TpaActilyse, Activase
How Alteplase, Tpa interacts with Papaya Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PapayaAmiodarone (cordarone) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, papaya extract may increase the levels and clinical effects of amiodarone.
Read the full Papaya + Amiodarone interactionAnacaulase-bcdbNexoBrid
How Anacaulase-bcdb interacts with Papaya Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
PapayaAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of antidiabetic drugs with fermented papaya can produce additive effects.
Read the full Papaya + Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interactionAntithrombin IiiThrombate III
How Antithrombin Iii interacts with Papaya Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme — 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 Enzyme 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
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 Enzyme, from the product label.
Natrol
See all Natrol products- Name
- Natrol, LLC.
- City
- Chatsworth
- State
- CA
- ZipCode
- 91311
- Phone Number
- 1-800-262-8765
- Web Address
- www.natrol.com
Papaya Enzyme by Natrol: Common Questions
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How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
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Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Papaya Enzyme 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 Enzyme’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 Enzyme'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
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