Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 5 of 8 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Plant Enzymes 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Harmony

Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Plant Enzymes 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Nature's Harmony with 8 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for inflammation and swelling, sinus and nasal congestion, digestion support.Based on those ingredients, 141 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bromelain, Papain. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Plant Enzymes 500 mg by Nature's Harmony

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

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 8 of its 8 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Plant Enzymes contains 8 ingredients: six are active enzymes (bromelain, amylase, protease, cellulase, lipase, and acid protease) plus papain and lactase, each meant to break down different parts of food. Bromelain comes from pineapple, papain from papaya, and lactase helps digest milk sugar.

The remaining ingredients are inactive — cellulose, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and gelatin make up the capsule and keep the powder dry and flowing.

Does it work?

Strong evidence
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

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded its ingredients' overall clinical evidence instead.

Strong

Strong clinical evidence supports its ingredients for:

Why this rating?
  • The label markets general wellness (“digestive support”), not a specific health condition, so there is no single claim to grade against clinical-evidence data.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredients' overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Lactose intolerance — rated "Effective" (Lactase) (Natural Medicines).

The evidence we hold for most of these enzymes is not established. Bromelain, papain, protease, lipase, and acid protease all carry insufficient evidence ratings for the conditions they're claimed to treat, meaning solid proof of benefit hasn't been demonstrated yet.

Lactase is one exception: it's rated effective for lactose intolerance, helping people digest milk products if they lack natural lactase. No effectiveness data is on file for amylase or cellulase.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Bromelain Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) Lipase Lactase 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 5 of the 5 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 5 of 5.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 5 of 5.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Bromelain is generally well tolerated short-term when taken by mouth, though long-term safety data is limited. Common side effects include diarrhea, flatulence, stomach upset, and headache.

Papain is generally tolerated as food but supplements may irritate the digestive tract and trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people; high doses carry rare risks of esophageal damage and severe inflammation. Protease and acid protease may cause digestive upset or allergic reactions.

Lipase is well tolerated in supplement form for most adults, but people with serious digestive conditions should use it only under medical guidance. Lactase is generally well tolerated.

Allergic reactions to any of these enzymes are possible—bromelain and papain in particular may cause respiratory allergies with occupational exposure. If you have pineapple, papaya, or latex allergies, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Bromelain Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) Lipase Lactase 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?
  • 2 of the 5 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Papain, Bromelain.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 141 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.

Blood thinners (anticoagulants) and antiplatelet drugs like warfarin and aspirin — bromelain and papain both carry Moderate risk of increased bleeding. Tetracycline antibiotics — bromelain carries a Minor risk of raising their blood levels.

If you take any of these, confirm with your doctor or pharmacist before adding this product.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with strong clinical evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Plant Enzymes may appeal to people looking for digestive support, though strong evidence of benefit is lacking for most ingredients. If you take blood thinners (like warfarin or aspirin), tetracycline antibiotics, or other regular medications, check them against the interaction tool on this page first, or talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

Pregnant or breastfeeding people should check with their healthcare provider, as safety data for these enzymes during pregnancy and lactation is incomplete.

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

Assessment coverage: 6 of 8 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 24, 2013.

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 Plant Enzymes 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Harmony
Barcode (UPC) 063047008378
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 24, 2013
DSLD ID 21814
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free
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 Plant Enzymes 500 mg by Nature's Harmony, 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:
1 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
063047008378
IngredientAmount% DV
Bromelain50 mg--
Amylase125 mg--
Protease125 mg--
Cellulase50 mg--
Lipase50 mg--
Acid Protease10 mg--
Lactase40 mg--
Papain50 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Gelatin

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended Use: As support for digestion. Recommended Dose (Adults): Take 1 capsule immediately before each meal. Do not exceed three capsules per day. Consult a health care practitioner for prolonged use.

General Statements

Sandstedt, Kneen & Blish1, Hemoglobin Unit Tyrosine base2, Gelatin Digesting Units3, Papain Units4, Cellulase Units5, US Pharmacopeia6, Lactase Units7, Serine Alkaline Protease8

For Digestive Support

{Capsule} Actual Size

A Proud Canadian Company

EN 122355

Precautions

Risk Information: Do not use if pregnant, breastfeeding or if you have stomach ulcers.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

DO NOT USE IF SEAL UNDER CAP IS BROKEN.

Formulation

This product does not contain corn, dairy, egg, gluten, shellfish, soy, sulfites or artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Storage

STORE IN A COOL, DRY PLACE.

General

400837.01-01

Seals/Symbols

SunOpta A healthy products company

See for yourself

Plant Enzymes 500 mg by Nature's Harmony label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Plant Enzymes 500 mg by Nature's Harmony

These are the 8 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule 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.

Bromelain

Interacts with
141 drugs
50 mg per serving Form: Pineapple

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 & interactions

Amylase

125 mg per serving Form: Aspergillus oryzae

Protease

No known
interactions
125 mg per serving Form: Aspergillus oryzae

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

Protease monograph & interactions

Cellulase

50 mg per serving Form: Trichoderma longibrachiatum

Lipase

No known
interactions
50 mg per serving Form: Rhizopus oryzae

Lipase is a digestive enzyme that helps your body break down dietary fats. It is well established as part of prescription pancreatic enzyme therapy fo...

Lipase monograph & interactions

Acid Protease

No known
interactions
10 mg per serving Form: Aspergillus niger

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

Acid Protease monograph & interactions

Lactase

No known
interactions
40 mg per serving Form: Aspergillus niger

Lactase is a digestive enzyme supplement that helps people who lack enough natural lactase break down lactose, the sugar in milk and dairy. It can red...

Lactase monograph & interactions

Papain

Interacts with
2 drugs
50 mg per serving Form: Carica papaya

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 & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Gelatin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Plant Enzymes 500 mg by Nature's Harmony Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Plant Enzymes 500 mg?

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
141Drugs
122 Moderate 19 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Bromelain 141
Papain 2

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Plant Enzymes 500 mg 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.

Bromelain2 drug types · 141 drugs

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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B

Papain1 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
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Plant Enzymes 500 mg, from the product label.

Nature's Harmony

See all Nature's Harmony products
Name
SunOpta Inc.
Street Address
6 Commerce Crescent
City
Acton
State
ON
ZipCode
L7J 2X3
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Plant Enzymes 500 mg by Nature's Harmony: Common Questions

Does Plant Enzymes 500 mg by Nature's Harmony interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Plant Enzymes 500 mg has a known interaction with 141 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Plant Enzymes 500 mg contains 8 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 warfarin or aspirin?
Not without checking first. Papain in this product has a documented Moderate interaction with warfarin—one case report shows it raised warfarin levels dangerously—and bromelain can increase bleeding risk with both warfarin and aspirin. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting; they may need to monitor you or adjust your dose.
What are the most common side effects I might experience?
When taken by mouth, bromelain most often causes diarrhea, flatulence, stomach upset, or headache. Papain and protease may cause digestive upset. Allergic reactions are possible in sensitive people. If symptoms persist or worsen, stop taking it and check with your doctor.
Is this safe to use during pregnancy?
No reliable safety data exists for bromelain, protease, acid protease, and lipase in pregnancy—avoid them unless your doctor advises otherwise. Papain is rated possibly unsafe in pregnancy, especially concentrated forms. Lactase is likely safe, but check with your healthcare provider before using any of these regularly during pregnancy.
Does bromelain actually help with anything?
The evidence we hold shows insufficient proof that bromelain works for the conditions it's marketed for—allergies, burns, cancer, and others all lack reliable evidence of benefit. That doesn't mean it doesn't work for you, just that solid research backing hasn't been established yet.
Is lactase in here safe for nursing?
Lactase is generally well tolerated and acts only in the gut, so it's likely low-risk while breastfeeding. Still, limited data exist—talk with your doctor or pharmacist first to be sure it's right for you.
Can I take this if I'm on tetracycline antibiotics?
Bromelain may theoretically raise tetracycline levels, though a study in healthy adults showed no real difference. To be safe, check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining them, especially if you're taking a tetracycline like doxycycline.

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

Not sure if Plant Enzymes 500 mg is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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.

Plant Enzymes 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Plant Enzymes 500 mg’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Plant Enzymes 500 mg'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 35 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.

Bromelain 19 references
  1. Nettis E, Napoli G, Ferrannini A, Tursi A. IgE-mediated allergy to bromelain. Allergy 2001;56:257-8. PubMed
  2. Taussig SJ, Batkin S. Bromelain, the enzyme complex of pineapple (Ananas comosus) and its clinical application. An update. J Ethnopharmacol 1988;22:191-203.. PubMed
  3. Bradbrook ID, Morrison PJ, Rogers HJ. The effect of bromelain on the absorption of orally administered tetracycline. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1978;6:552-4. PubMed
  4. Bush TM, Rayburn KS, Holloway SW, et al. Adverse interactions between herbal and dietary substances and prescription medications: a clinical survey. Altern Ther Health Med 2007;13:30-5.
  5. Brien S, Lewith G, Walker AF, et al. Bromelain as an adjunctive treatment for moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. QJM 2006;99:841-50. PubMed
  6. Mori S, Ojima Y, Hirose T, et al. The clinical effect of proteolytic enzyme containing bromelain and trypsin on urinary tract infection evaluated by double blind method. Acta Obstet Gynaecol Jpn 1972;19:147-53.
  7. Glaser D, Hilberg T. The influence of bromelain on platelet count and platelet activity in vitro. Platelets 2006;17:37-41. PubMed
  8. Heinicke R M, van der Wal L, Yokoyama M. Effect of bromelain (Ananase) on human platelet aggregation. Experientia 1972;28:844-5. PubMed
  9. Gailhofer, G., Wilders-Truschnig, M., Smolle, J., and Ludvan, M. Asthma caused by bromelain: an occupational allergy. Clin Allergy 1988;18(5):445-450. PubMed
  10. Mattei, O., Fabri, G., and Farina, G. [Occupational health experience regarding four cases of asthma due to bromelain (author's transl)]. Medicina del Lavoro 1979;70(5):404-409.
  11. Galleguillos, F. and Rodriguez, J. C. Asthma caused by bromelin inhalation. Clin Allergy 1978;8(1):21-24. PubMed
  12. Perez-Camo I, Quirce S, Duran MA, and et al. Latex allergy: evidence of cross-reactivity with papain and bromelain [abstract]. Allergy 1996;51(suppl 31):48.
  13. Martin GJ, Ehrenreich J, and Asbell N. Bromelain: pineapple proteases with anti-edema activity. Exp Med Surg 1962;20:227-247.
  14. Kasemsuk T, Saengpetch N, Sibmooh N, Unchern S. Improved WOMAC score following 16-week treatment with bromelain for knee osteoarthritis. Clin Rheumatol. 2016 Oct;35(10):2531-40. PubMed
  15. Kutlu Ö, DemirbaS A, Elmas ÖF, Güvenç U, Metin A. Fixed drug eruption: a new side effect of bromelain. Contact Dermatitis 2020. Online ahead of print. PubMed
  16. Shoham Y, Shapira E, Haik J, et al. Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement of chronic wounds: Results of a multicentre randomized controlled trial. Wound Repair Regen 2021;29(6):899-907. PubMed
  17. Pfister P, Garcia Wendel PD, Kim BS, et al. Coagulation side effects of enzymatic debridement in burned patients. Burns 2022. PubMed
  18. Hasham S, Riyat H, Fletcher A, O'Boyle CP, Alexander S. To bleed or not to bleed? Case series and discussion of haemorrhage risk with enzymatic debridement in burn injuries. Scars Burn Heal 2023;9:20595131231168333. PubMed
  19. Leelakanok N, Petchsomrit A, Janurai T, Saechan C, Sunsandee N. Efficacy and safety of bromelain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Health 2023. PubMed

See these in context on the Bromelain 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 →

Lipase 1 reference
  1. Casper C, Hascoet JM, Ertl T, et al. Recombinant bile salt-stimulated lipase in preterm infant feeding: A randomized phase 3 study. PLoS One. 2016;11(5):e0156071. PubMed

See these in context on the Lipase monograph →

Lactase 1 reference
  1. Laukkanen A, Ruoppi P, Remes S, Koistinen T, Mäkinen-Kiljunen S. Lactase-induced occupational protein contact dermatitis and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Contact Dermatitis. 2007;57(2):89-93. PubMed

See these in context on the Lactase 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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