Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 4 of 8 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Ultrazyme Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Douglas Laboratories

Tablet Or Pill Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Ultrazyme is a dietary supplement by Douglas Laboratories with 8 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestion and bloating, muscle soreness and exercise recovery, inflammation and swelling.Based on those ingredients, 142 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bromelain, L-Lysine. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Ultrazyme by Douglas Laboratories

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

Partial disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Partial

Most active ingredients list an amount, but at least one is hidden in a blend or missing.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 5 of its 8 active ingredients.
  • “Pancreatin” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (125 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Ultrazyme contains 8 active ingredients, most of them digestive enzymes that help break down food. Amylase breaks down carbohydrates, protease breaks down proteins, lipase breaks down fats, and cellulase breaks down fiber.

Pepsin is another protease that works in the stomach. The product also includes L-lysine (an amino acid), bromelain (an enzyme from pineapple), pancreatin (a blend of digestive enzymes from pancreas), and ox bile powder (which aids fat digestion).

Together, these are meant to support digestion.

Does it work?

Moderate 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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Digestive support and enzyme supplementation.
  • We looked for evidence on: Dyspepsia, Exercise-induced muscle soreness, Postoperative pain, Postoperative swelling, Allergic rhinitis (hay fever), Rhinosinusitis — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Lysine is rated "Possibly Effective" for Herpes labialis (cold sores) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Lipase is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Dyspepsia.
  • Also on file: Bromelain is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Allergic rhinitis (hay fever), Exercise-induced muscle soreness, Rhinosinusitis, Wound healing, and more.

The evidence we hold doesn't establish that Ultrazyme works for any specific condition. For several of its ingredients — lipase, bromelain, and L-lysine — the data shows insufficient evidence to rate their effectiveness for the conditions they're used for.

L-lysine is possibly effective for cold sores specifically. For the other enzymes (amylase, protease, pepsin, cellulase, and pancreatin), we have no effectiveness ratings in our data.

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about whether this product is right for your digestive needs.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) Lysine Lipase Bromelain

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 4 of the 4 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 4 of 4.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 4 of 4.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Ultrazyme is generally well tolerated by most adults, though digestive upset can happen. Protease and pepsin may rarely cause allergic reactions, and occupational exposure to pepsin has occasionally triggered asthma or allergies affecting the nose and eyes — though that's typically airborne exposure, not from a supplement.

Bromelain, L-lysine, and lipase can cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, gas, or stomach pain in some people. During pregnancy, protease, pepsin, bromelain, and lipase safety has not been established — the data advises against protease and pepsin unless prescribed, and suggests checking with your doctor before using bromelain, lipase, or L-lysine supplements.

During breastfeeding, there isn't enough data on any of these ingredients to know whether they're safe, so medical advice is recommended before use.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) Lysine Lipase Bromelain

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 4 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Lysine, Bromelain.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 142 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're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel), check with us before taking this — bromelain may increase your bleeding risk. Also double-check if you take 5-HT4 agonist drugs for bowel motility or tetracycline antibiotics, as L-lysine and bromelain have minor interactions with these.

For any other medications, use the checker on this page to be sure.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glancePartially disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Ultrazyme is a digestive enzyme blend that most people tolerate well short-term. If you take blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs, tetracycline antibiotics, or 5-HT4 agonists, check with your pharmacist first — a couple of ingredients here may interact.

Pregnant or breastfeeding folks should talk with their doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for them.

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

Assessment coverage: 5 of 8 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Apr 11, 2022.

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 Ultrazyme, straight from the product label.

Brand Douglas Laboratories
Barcode (UPC) 310539017548
Net contents 180 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 11, 2022
DSLD ID 261656
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating), Gluten 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 Ultrazyme by Douglas Laboratories, 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:
2 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Tablet(s)
Servings per container
90
UPC/BARCODE
310539017548
IngredientAmount% DV
Amylase0 NP--
Protease0 NP--
Lipase0 NP--
Cellulase6 mg--
Pepsin66 mg--
L-Lysine80 mg--
Pancreatin125 mg--
Bromelain50 mg--
Ox Bile powder100 mg--

Other ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hypromellose, Glycerin, Croscarmellose Sodium, Stearic Acid, Silica

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 Usage: As a dietary supplement, adults take 2 tablets daily at mealtime or as directed by your health professional.

Precautions

Warning: Not to be taken by pregnant or lactating women. If you have any health condition or are taking any medication, consult your health professional before use.

Keep out of reach of children.

Use only if safety seal is intact.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Formulation

Gluten-free, Non-GMO

Digestive health

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

General Statements

Contents may not fill package in order to accommodate required labeling. Please rely on stated quantity. Scan to learn about our manufacturing excellence

Formula

Polyphasic Enzyme Complex

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Ultrazyme by Douglas Laboratories label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Ultrazyme by Douglas Laboratories

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

Serving size2 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Servings per container90 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.

Cellulase

6 mg per serving

Pepsin

No known
interactions
66 mg per serving

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

Pepsin monograph & interactions

L-Lysine

Interacts with
1 drug
80 mg per serving Form: L-Lysine Hydrochloride

Lysine is an essential amino acid your body cannot make on its own, so it must come from food or supplements. People most often take extra lysine to t...

L-Lysine monograph & interactions

Pancreatin

125 mg per serving Form: Porcine

Bromelain

Interacts with
141 drugs
50 mg per serving Form: Ananas comosus

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

Ox Bile powder

100 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hypromellose, Glycerin, Croscarmellose Sodium, Stearic Acid, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Ultrazyme by Douglas Laboratories Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Ultrazyme?

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
142Drugs
122 Moderate 20 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Bromelain 141

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Ultrazyme 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

L-Lysine1 drug type · 1 drug

5-Ht4 Agonists

Theoretically, lysine may reduce the effects of 5-HT4 agonists.
Animal research suggests that L-lysine is a partial serotonin receptor 4 (5-HT4) antagonist and inhibits diarrhea induced by the 5-HT4 agonist, 5-hydroxytryptophane.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Ultrazyme, from the product label.

Douglas Laboratories

See all Douglas Laboratories products
Name
Douglas Laboratories
Street Address
600 Boyce Road
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
ZipCode
15205
Phone Number
1.800.245.4440
Web Address
www.douglaslabs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Ultrazyme by Douglas Laboratories: Common Questions

Does Ultrazyme by Douglas Laboratories interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Ultrazyme has a known interaction with 142 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Ultrazyme 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.
Does Ultrazyme actually work for digestion?
We don't have effectiveness data in our records for this product specifically. The individual enzymes in it are meant to help break down food, but the research evidence for how well they work as a supplement isn't established in the data we hold. Ask your pharmacist whether it's a fit for your situation.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant?
Several ingredients in Ultrazyme — protease, pepsin, bromelain, and lipase — haven't been studied enough in pregnancy for us to know whether they're safe. The data suggests avoiding protease and pepsin unless your doctor prescribes them. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this supplement while pregnant.
What are the most common side effects?
Mild digestive upset is the main concern — diarrhea, gas, stomach pain, or nausea. Rarely, some people may have allergic reactions to protease or pepsin. If you notice anything unusual, stop and check with your pharmacist.
Is it safe while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough reliable data on any of these ingredients during breastfeeding to say they're safe. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using this supplement while nursing.
Why does the label mention occupational asthma risks with pepsin?
Pepsin is a protease enzyme, and when inhaled as a dust in occupational settings, it can trigger asthma and allergies in some people. A supplement tablet taken by mouth carries a very different exposure route, so the risk there is much lower — but the data notes the allergic potential of the ingredient itself.
What's L-lysine doing in a digestive enzyme product?
L-lysine is an amino acid that's possibly effective for cold sores. It's included here as an additional supportive ingredient, though it's not a digestive enzyme. The data we hold doesn't tell us what role it plays in this particular blend.

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

Not sure if Ultrazyme is safe with your meds?

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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.

Ultrazyme label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Ultrazyme'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 30 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 →

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 →

Lysine 7 references
  1. Thein DJ, Hurt WC. Lysine as a prophylactic agent in the treatment of recurrent herpes simplex labialis. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1984;58:659-66. PubMed
  2. McCune MA, Perry HO, Muller SA, O'Fallon WM. Treatment of recurrent herpes simplex infections with L-lysine monohydrochloride. Cutis 1984;34:366-73.
  3. DiGiovanna JJ, Blank H. Failure of lysine in frequently recurrent herpes simplex infection. Treatment and prophylaxis. Arch Dermatol 1984;120:48-51. DOI
  4. Milman N, Scheibel J, Jessen O. Lysine prophylaxis in recurrent herpes simplex labialis: a double-blind, controlled crossover study. Acta Derm Venereol 1980;60:85-7.
  5. Griffith RS, Walsh DE, Myrmel KH, et al. Success of L-lysine therapy in frequently recurrent herpes simplex infection. Treatment and prophylaxis. Dermatologica 1987;175:183-90. DOI
  6. Lo JC, Chertow GM, Rennke H, Seifter JL. Fanconi's syndrome and tubulointerstitial nephritis in association with L-lysine ingestion. Am J Kidney Dis 1996;28:614-7. PubMed
  7. Smriga M, Torii K. L-Lysine acts like a partial serotonin receptor 4 antagonist and inhibits serotonin-mediated intestinal pathologies and anxiety in rats. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Dec 23;100(26):15370-5.

See these in context on the Lysine monograph →

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 →

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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