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Dietary supplement

Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Dr. Mercola

Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release 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

Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release is a dietary supplement by Dr. Mercola with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for inflammation and swelling, sinus and respiratory congestion, pain after surgery or injury.Based on those ingredients, 122 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Serrapeptase, Protease. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release by Dr. Mercola

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release by Dr. Mercola — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release by Dr. Mercola

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 10, 2026

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 2 active ingredients.

This product contains 2 active ingredients: serrapeptase and protease (papain), both proteolytic enzymes — meaning they break down proteins. These are the actives that give the product its intended action.

The capsule also includes inactive ingredients: organic rice, medium chain triglycerides, and a delayed-release capsule coating designed to protect the enzymes from stomach acid so they can be absorbed in your small intestine.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: inflammation, swelling, and post-injury pain relief.
  • We looked for evidence on: Back pain, Exercise-induced muscle soreness, Postoperative swelling, Rhinosinusitis, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Osteoarthritis — and 4 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Papain is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Exercise-induced muscle soreness (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Serrapeptase is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Back pain, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, and more.

The evidence we hold rates both ingredients with insufficient reliable evidence for any of their common uses. Serrapeptase has not been studied enough to establish whether it helps with chronic bronchitis, asthma, atherosclerosis, back pain, or osteoporosis.

Similarly, protease (papain) hasn't been studied reliably for cancer, dental caries, radiation dermatitis, exercise-induced muscle soreness, shingles, or parasitic infections. Bottom line: we don't yet have solid proof these enzymes work for what they're marketed to do.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Serrapeptase 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.

Serrapeptase is generally well tolerated short-term, but long-term safety hasn't been studied well. The most common side effects are epigastric pain (upper stomach discomfort), gastrointestinal upset, and nausea — though these occur at about the same rate as placebo in trials.

Serious side effects are rare. Protease (papain) is generally tolerated at normal doses, though high doses may be unsafe and can theoretically cause severe gastritis or esophageal perforation.

Allergic reactions (including itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, stomach cramps, and diarrhea) can occur in sensitive individuals. During pregnancy, concentrated papain is considered possibly unsafe and is best avoided; serrapeptase lacks enough safety data and should also be avoided.

While breastfeeding, avoid serrapeptase (no reliable safety data), and use protease only with caution due to insufficient information.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Serrapeptase 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 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Papain, Serrapeptase.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 122 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take warfarin (Coumadin) or any other blood thinner, or antiplatelet drugs like aspirin or clopidogrel. Both ingredients pose a Moderate risk of increased bleeding and bruising with these medications.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product is intended for people looking for enzymatic support, but the evidence for it working is insufficient. More importantly, if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet medications, you need to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it — the interaction risk is real and documented.

Pregnant or breastfeeding? Skip it until you've checked with your own healthcare provider.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 22, 2021.

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 Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release, straight from the product label.

Brand Dr. Mercola
Barcode (UPC) 810487034180
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 22, 2021
DSLD ID 250399
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
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 Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release by Dr. Mercola, 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)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
810487034180
IngredientAmount% DV
Serrapeptase0 NP--
Protease0 NP--

Other ingredients: organic Rice, Delayed Release Capsule, Medium Chain Triglycerides

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

Suggested use: Adults, as a dietary supplement, take one (1) capsule per serving on an empty stomach. This product can be taken one to two times daily.

Precautions

Warning: If you have a blood coagulation condition, or are taking anticoagulants such as warfarin (coumadin), do not use.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal is broken.

If you are nursing, pregnant, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult your physician before taking this product.

General Statements

Dr. Mercola has been providing quality products since 2001.

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

Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release by Dr. Mercola label

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

Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release 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 Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release by Dr. Mercola

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 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.

Serrapeptase

Interacts with
122 drugs
0 NP per serving

Serrapeptase is an enzyme marketed to reduce inflammation, swelling, pain, and mucus, but the human evidence is limited and mostly low quality. If you...

Serrapeptase monograph & interactions

Protease

Interacts with
2 drugs
0 NP per serving

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...

Protease monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Organic Rice, Delayed Release Capsule, Medium Chain Triglycerides. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release by Dr. Mercola Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release?

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
122Drugs
122 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Serrapeptase 122
Protease 2

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release interact with 122 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

2 of the 2 ingredients in Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Serrapeptase Protease

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release 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.

Serrapeptase1 drug type · 122 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, taking serrapeptase with drugs that have antiplatelet or anticoagulant effects might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
In vitro research shows that serrapeptase has fibrinolytic activity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Serrapeptase full monograph & interactions

Protease1 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
Protease full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release, from the product label.

Dr. Mercola

See all Dr. Mercola products
Name
NHP
Street Address
125 SW 3rd Place
City
Cape Coral
State
FL
ZipCode
33991
Phone Number
(877) 985-2696
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release by Dr. Mercola: Common Questions

Does Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release by Dr. Mercola interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release has a known interaction with 122 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release contains 2 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 or breastfeeding?
No. Serrapeptase lacks enough safety data to use in pregnancy, and protease (papain) is considered possibly unsafe during pregnancy. While breastfeeding, serrapeptase has no reliable safety data and should be avoided, and protease also lacks sufficient information. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before considering this product in either situation.
What are the most common side effects?
For serrapeptase, the most common are epigastric pain (upper stomach discomfort), gastrointestinal upset, and nausea — though these occur at about the same rate as placebo. For protease, allergic reactions (itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, stomach cramps) can happen in sensitive individuals. Serious side effects are rare with normal use.
Does this product actually work?
The evidence we hold rates both serrapeptase and protease (papain) as having insufficient reliable evidence for their marketed uses — whether that's for bronchitis, asthma, back pain, exercise soreness, or other conditions. We don't have solid proof either ingredient works for these purposes.
Why is the capsule delayed-release?
The delayed-release coating protects the enzymes from stomach acid so they survive digestion and can be absorbed in your small intestine, where they're meant to work. Without it, stomach acid would break them down before they could be absorbed.
What exactly is protease in this product?
The protease here comes from papain, an enzyme derived from papaya. It breaks down proteins, just like serrapeptase. It's the same active enzyme used in some supplements and traditional remedies.

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

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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.

Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Serrapeptase

Interacts with 122 drugs

Serrapeptase is an enzyme marketed to reduce inflammation, swelling, pain, and mucus, but the human evidence is limited and mostly low quality. If you want to try it, choose an enteric-coate...

Read the full Serrapeptase 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

Serrapeptase Enzymes Delayed Release'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 13 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.

Serrapeptase 2 references
  1. Tachibana M, Mizukoshi O, Harada Y, et al. A multi-centre, double-blind study of serrapeptase versus placebo in post-antrotomy buccal swelling. Pharmatherapeutica 1984;3:526-30..
  2. Mazzone A, Catalani M, Costanzo M, et al. Evaluation of Serratia peptidase in acute or chronic inflammation of otorhinolaryngology pathology: a multicentre, double-blind, randomized trial versus placebo. J Int Med Res 1990;18:379-88.. PubMed

See these in context on the Serrapeptase 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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