Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 2 of 3 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Papaya Enzyme Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Vitabase

Papaya Enzyme label
See full label image
Tablet Or Pill Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 30, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
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

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Papaya Enzyme is a dietary supplement by Vitabase with 3 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestion and bloating, muscle soreness and exercise recovery, inflammation and swelling.Based on those ingredients, 2 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Papain enzyme. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Papaya Enzyme by Vitabase

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Papaya Enzyme by Vitabase — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Papaya Enzyme by Vitabase

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 Sep 3, 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 3 of its 3 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Vitabase Papaya Enzyme contains 3 active ingredients: protease, alpha-amylase, and papain enzyme. Proteases and amylase are digestive enzymes that help break down proteins and carbohydrates, respectively.

Papain is an enzyme from papaya fruit that's often used in digestive support. The product also contains several inactive ingredients — corn starch, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, papaya flavor, calcium carbonate, and fructose — which serve as fillers, binders, and flavoring.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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 assessable

The label doesn't state a purpose we can grade — see each ingredient's own graded uses on its monograph instead.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence we hold shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate papain for cancer, dental cavities, radiation dermatitis, exercise-induced muscle soreness, shingles, and intestinal parasite infection. The data doesn't establish that this product is effective for any of these uses.

If you're considering it for a specific health reason, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether the evidence supports it and what alternatives might be better studied.

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

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.

Protease and papain are generally well tolerated as short-term use at appropriate doses, though both may occasionally cause digestive upset or allergic reactions in sensitive people. Papain at high doses may be unsafe and could rarely cause serious effects like esophageal perforation or severe stomach inflammation.

Allergic reactions — itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, stomach cramps, or diarrhea — can occur with papain in sensitive individuals. Some people exposed to airborne papain dust (mainly occupational) have developed respiratory allergies like asthma or bronchitis.

During pregnancy, concentrated papain and unripe papaya products are not advised due to safety concerns. Protease has not had safety established in pregnancy, so it's best avoided unless prescribed.

During breastfeeding, neither protease nor papain has enough safety data — use is not recommended without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first.

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

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Papain.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 2 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.

If you take warfarin (Coumadin) or similar blood thinners (anticoagulants), check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding this product — papain may make your blood thinner work too well and raise your bleeding risk. We could not check alpha-amylase against medications.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

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.

Vitabase Papaya Enzyme may appeal to people looking for digestive enzyme support, but the evidence for its specific health claims isn't established in our data. If you take warfarin or other blood thinners, you need to clear this with your doctor or pharmacist first — papain can increase the blood-thinning effect.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should talk with their healthcare provider before taking it. Check your exact medications using the tool on this page before you start.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 3 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Mar 23, 2012.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Papaya Enzyme, straight from the product label.

Brand Vitabase
Net contents 100 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 23, 2012
DSLD ID 7196
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other
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 Papaya Enzyme by Vitabase, 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 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Tablet(s)
IngredientAmount% DV
Protease2 mg--
Alpha-Amylase2 mg--
Papain enzyme15 mg--

Other ingredients: Corn Starch, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Papaya flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Fructose

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.
Formulation

Contains No Added salt, dairy, yeast, wheat, soy, preservatives or artificial colors.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, adults chew one (1) tablet with meals, or as directed by a health care professional.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place and away from direct light.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

General Statements

QUALITY AND POTENCY GUARANTEED.

Chewable Tablets

Vitabase uses only high quality ingredients.

Seals/Symbols

Vb

FDA Statement of Identity

DIETARY SUPPLEMENT

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

See for yourself

Papaya Enzyme by Vitabase label

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

Papaya Enzyme 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 Papaya Enzyme by Vitabase

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.

Protease

No known
interactions
2 mg per serving

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

Protease monograph & interactions

Alpha-Amylase

2 mg per serving

Papain enzyme

Interacts with
2 drugs
15 mg per serving Form: papaya melon

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 enzyme monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Corn Starch, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Papaya flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Fructose. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Papaya Enzyme by Vitabase Drug Interactions

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 checker
2Drugs
2 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Papain enzyme 2

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Papaya Enzyme interact with 2 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 3 ingredients in Papaya Enzyme interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Papain enzyme

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Papaya Enzyme 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.

Papain enzyme1 drug type · 2 drugs

Warfarin (Coumadin)

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

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Papain enzyme full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Papaya Enzyme, from the product label.

Vitabase

See all Vitabase products
Name
Vitabase.com
City
Monroe
State
GA
ZipCode
30656
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Papaya Enzyme by Vitabase: Common Questions

Does Papaya Enzyme by Vitabase interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Papaya Enzyme has a known interaction with 2 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Papaya Enzyme contains 3 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 pregnant?
Papain, one of the active ingredients, is rated possibly unsafe in pregnancy — concentrated papain and unripe papaya products are best avoided. Protease safety hasn't been established in pregnancy either. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you during pregnancy.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data for either protease or papain during breastfeeding, so neither is recommended without medical advice. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product if you're nursing.
What are the side effects?
Most often, protease and papain may cause digestive upset or allergic reactions like itchy eyes, sneezing, stomach cramps, or diarrhea in people sensitive to them. At high doses, papain can rarely cause serious problems like esophageal perforation or severe stomach inflammation. Occupational exposure to airborne papain dust has triggered respiratory allergies in some people.
Does this product actually work?
The evidence we hold shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate papain for the conditions it's sometimes promoted for — cancer, cavities, radiation skin damage, muscle soreness, shingles, and intestinal parasites. The evidence isn't established for these uses.
What does papain do?
Papain is a digestive enzyme from papaya fruit that helps break down proteins. It's often included in digestive enzyme products, though the scientific evidence for its specific health claims is limited.
Is this safe if I have allergies?
If you're sensitive to papaya or have a history of allergies to proteolytic enzymes, protease or papain may trigger allergic reactions — itching, sneezing, stomach cramps, or rash. If you have occupational allergies to papain dust (respiratory symptoms like asthma or cough), talk with your doctor before taking this supplement.

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

Not sure if Papaya Enzyme 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.

Papaya Enzyme label
Go deeper

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.

Herb & supplement monograph

Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases)

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

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

Papain

Interacts with 2 drugs

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

Read the full Papain monograph →
Sources

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.

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 14 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
  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 →

Papain 11 references
  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  2. Shaw D, Leon C, Kolev S, Murray V. Traditional remedies and food supplements: a 5-year toxicological study (1991-1995). Drug Saf 1997;17:342-56.
  3. Shuttleworth D, Hill S, Marks R, Connelly DM. Relief of experimentally induced pruritus with a novel eutectic mixture of local anaesthetic agents. Br J Dermatol 1988;119:535-40.
  4. Mansfield LE, Ting S, Haverly RW, Yoo TJ. The incidence and clinical implications of hypersensitivity to papain in an allergic population, confirmed by blinded oral challenge. Ann Allergy 1985;55:541-3.
  5. Martin, T., Uhder, K., Kurek, R., Roeddiger, S., Schneider, L., Vogt, H. G., Heyd, R., and Zamboglou, N. Does prophylactic treatment with proteolytic enzymes reduce acute toxicity of adjuvant pelvic irradiation? Results of a double-blind randomized trial PubMed
  6. Walker-Renard, P. Update on the medicinal management of phytobezoars. Am J Gastroenterol. 1993;88(10):1663-1666.
  7. Tymoszuk D, Wiszniewska M, Walusiak-Skorupa J. Papain-induced occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma - A case report. Med Pr 2016;67(1):109-12. PubMed
  8. Soto-Mera MT, López-Rico MR, Filgueira JF, et al. Occupational allergy to papain. Allergy 2000;55(10):983-4. PubMed
  9. Tarlo SM, Shaikh W, Bell B, et al. Papain-induced allergic reactions. Clin Allergy 1978;8(3):207-15. PubMed
  10. Baur X, König G, Bencze K, Fruhmann G. Clinical symptoms and results of skin test, RAST and bronchial provocation test in thirty-three papain workers: Evidence for strong immunogenic potency and clinically relevant proteolytic e?ects of airborne papain. C
  11. Novey HS, Keenan WJ, Fairshter RD, Wells ID, Wilson AF, Culver BD. Pulmonary disease in workers exposed to papain: clinico-physiological and immunological studies. Clin Allergy 1980;10(6):721-31. PubMed

See these in context on the Papain monograph →

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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